UCU: Union response to graduate employment figures

The University and College Union (UCU) today (Thursday) welcomed the overall positive picture of graduate employability, but warned the figures should be treated with caution by students or parents searching for information on long-term career prospects.

The union also expressed concern about an ‘ethnicity jobs gap’, as the figures revealed that 95% of white graduates, compared with 88% of black graduates, were reported in employment approximately six months after graduation.

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: “With universities and the government treating students more and more like consumers, it should come as little surprise if students are interested to research which institutions are more likely to help them find employment upon graduation.

“The figures do not give the nature of employment, and have been compiled just six months after graduation, so we would caution against relying on them for a totally accurate representation of an individual’s future career path. However, we understand the interest in employability from debt-ridden students, and their parents, as much as we're sure universities do.

“We are concerned that there appears to be a clear ethnicity jobs gap. While 95% of white graduates find employment six months after graduating, only 88% of black graduates do.”

The full results can be found at the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) website www.hesa.ac.uk


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contacts:

Dan Ashley t: 020 7670 9705; m: 07789 518 992; e: dashley@ucu.org.uk


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