Go or stay? Rebecca Burridge, centre, ponders whether to train as a nurse on or off island. With her at the higher education fair are fellow 17-year-olds Joni de Kooker and Luke Phillips. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 0736104)
STUDENTS are worried about getting jobs here after they graduate.
Grammar School sixth-formers voiced fears at a higher education fair yesterday about how the economic climate would affect their careers.
They were also worried about how they would fund their studies.
Photography student Ross Queripel, 17, was anxious about the prospect of returning after university and not being able to find a job.
‘I am not sure whether I will come back. It will depend on the opportunities available here,’ he said.
‘It is a concern. If you do get a degree and come back and can’t get a job, then there is not much point going at all.’
He said his friends were also worried about the prospects of employment when returning.
‘All the people who left education before would be in jobs and laughing at us,’ he said.
Simon Hall, 17, did not want the financial burden of higher education.
‘I am thinking about going into the Navy,’ he said. ‘I would rather get a job now because with the recession it probably would become harder to get one later on.’
Rebecca Burridge, 17, wants to train as a nurse but is reconsidering because she might not be able to get a job on her return.
‘I do not know whether to stay here and train now or go away,’ she said.
‘I wanted to get different experience by going away and then come back here eventually because it is my home, but I just don’t know what to do now.’
Aimee Parker, 17, would like to study law.
‘I don’t really want to stay off the island, but with law I would be able to go anywhere and I don’t know if the jobs are available here,’ she said.
Geoff Martel of the Careers Service said students would be aware of the opportunities in certain careers after university and the limitations of some subject areas.
‘A lot of students will want to gain experience outside Guernsey and will be carrying out careful research and planning.’
Dawn Hurst, Loughborough University’s international students coordinator, said that in the current economic climate students would be safer continuing into higher education.
‘A lot of students would emerge from their degree with most of the economic problems resolved.’
nÊA States decision in September means that student loans are unlikely to replace the grants system until the start of the 2012 academic year at the earliest.
Article posted on 11th March, 2009 - 2.30pm
26 Article Comments
We need to encourage our children home to the island. We spend so much money sending them out of the island an no effort briging them back; importing the English instead. Seems a bit daft
Report abuse
While i agree it must be a daunting thought you may finish your studies and not have a job. There are still jobs available! It may not be your first choice of job. But tough. Thats life. You need money to live. Just look at the Jobs tab at the top of the page. Loads of jobs in there.
Report abuse
They shouldnt have to go away to train at all unless it was something incredibly specialised.
We should be able to train a certain amount of Teachers, Doctors and Lawyers etc ourselves.
Report abuse
Andy there is education and then there is higher education I agree some qualifications are possible by local training or distance learning
but the truth is that teachers and doctors and laywers need not just the training but the experience off island
Guernsey students need our support but in turn they also need to support the island the best way forward is to tie in their education to a proffesion and where approriate a placement on their return, many under graduates already do this and gain both valuble experience and financial support
where a student has no intention of returning to the island or choses to seek employment off island then maybe we should consider a repayable loan agreement where the costs are recovered
if they lived in the UK it is all they would get anyway
Report abuse
GsyGal – True, there are jobs at the moment, mainly in finance or behind a bar. Why should students spend three+ years at uni to come back and start on the first step on the finance ladder? These people are going away because they have more ambition than sitting at a desk shuffling paper, whinging about their bonus and wondering if they will still have a job next week. Jackie is spot on. Guernsey students are training in a huge, diverse array of subjects, yet when the Island needs someone a little bit specialised, the job has been filled by a foreigner. I’m training as a physio. I don’t expect there to be a local physio vacancy when I graduate and I don’t want to work in finance again so the only option available to me is to work off-island.
I think we’re all learning that putting all our eggs in the finance basket wasn’t the greatest idea. It’s time to harness the potential that these students have and diversify, create a more rounded, balanced economy.
Report abuse
I agree with that thought Mike. That loans for further education off Island should be countered with if you don’t return you pay it back.
My understanding currently is far more do not return then return, yet certain deputies are pushing for grants… this does not make sense to me, makes having an education paid for a real luxury and you don’t even have to pay it back either by money or your actual working career.
I have an honours degree and it took months to get my first job and that was very low paid and completely not related to my degree, but you take what is available. Depending on what you study it is a luxury to go for further education.
Report abuse
Mike, some sensible ideas there, although how would a conditional loan agreement be enforced if someone didn’t return to the island?
GsyGal also has a point and it’s worth remembering that many university students wait a few years before going away to study as mature students.
Another option that is always available is distance learning provided by the Open University et al which can provide respected degrees without costly full time study. I for one would favour the States providing support for local people studying at home via distance learning while at the same time holding down jobs. I know that approach isn’t suitable everyone (e.g. some parents with young children) but there are certainly a large number of students who could study that way as a cheaper alternative.
Report abuse
Economic Survival 101
Where is the demand?
Which of these pays the most?
What skills do you need?
Work hard and save, then study your passion. You can always change professions if you want to – then if it doesnt work out you have something solid to fall back on.
What is wrong with a bit of strategy?
OR you can leave Guernsey and whinge about it.
Report abuse
Out of interest, are these the same students that were demanding teachers should have there housing licenses extended…
Report abuse
I agree wih Paul Le P and his idea for the States to support distance learning. I am currently studying by distance learning, whilst holding down a job and bringing up young children! It isn’t easy, but I am getting a quality education, working full time (so paying taxes) and not receiving any States support for my studies. You can study all manner of qualifications in this way. It won’t be for everyone – and it is of benefit to many young people to spend some time “away from the rock”, as I did when I went away after A’levels and did my first degree.
Distance learning is becoming more popular, particularly in the current economic climate and those who succeed in completing their studies as well as working, will be viewed in a very positive light by employers.
Report abuse
Belinda’s experience is evidence that distance learning is a viable alternative, even when balancing parenthood and work.
The experience of being “off the rock” can always be deferred – it doesn’t have to be study either. Voluntary work abroad is also viewed very favourably by prospective employers.
Report abuse
This is a very real and sensible fear.
I wish I had not bothered with university and gone straight to work, the financial burden of 3 years studying is enormous.
Report abuse
I know this will be difficult to police and will possibly prompt outrage but surely something can be arranged whereby grants are given to those learning valuable skills to bring back to the island like teachers, lawyers doctors et al and loans to those who are doing mickey mouse degress like psyhology or art and design-knowing full well they have no intention of using their degree for a career – but just for the crack of going to uni and will probably end up as estate agents or the like. I have no problem with people getting off island and having fun and using uni as a way to do that – but use your money not ours!
Report abuse
Student bob: In my experience, experiance counts for more the A levels, Diplomas etc.
Whats the point training for something then moaning you cant get a job in that field when you knew before you started the training it wasnt available/limited availabilities.
Why would you employ someone with no experience over someone with say 5 years experience just because the one with no experience is a local? My Guess is, you wouldnt.
Report abuse
Hey Student Bob, you dont need to wait for a job to come up. With your finance background you should be able to set up your own physio business and either have premises and/or just go freelance and provide private clients with an at-home service. There is a demand. Much more exciting than working in a boring hospital.
Just making the point that there are always options……..
And to Rebecca from the article – you will be able to find a job as a nurse anywhere! Cant say much for the pay though. But theres not that much difference between a hospital physios pay and that of a registered nurse -surprisingly.
Report abuse
Wil – good points!! The real money would be to do the one year post grad animal physio course and freelance out to horse owners, then retire in ten years to a solid gold island in the caribbean….
GsyGal, sorry if I came across as moaning, that wasn’t my intention. I’m studying with the knowledge that there will be plenty of physio jobs available to me, they simply won’t be in Guernsey. That doesn’t bother me in the least. I’m looking forward to moving to New Zealand after graduation. Your point about employing UK guys with experience I don’t think applies to vocational qualifications like mine. When I graduate I am perfectly entitled to set up all by myself. And when was the last time you changed doctors for one with a few more years experience? Your point is an interesting one however. Do you not believe that there is an argument for Guernsey employers to consider less suitable applicants based on local ties? The island has spent £50k+ educating us after all and as locals, we have a licence and a commitment to the island.
Perhaps we could scrap loans, and use a bursary system like my UK colleagues receive from the NHS? My education would be paid by States Health and in return, I come back and work it off. It already works in finance after all…..
Report abuse
TOUGH Welcome to the real world. Get your act together stop winging. School days are over you are now entering the first days of the rest of your life. Up to now you have been hand fed cosseted and indulged. Life may turn out to be hard for some of you. get used to it and adapt or life may roll right over you. You are now in the same mire as the rest of us.
Grow up, get real and stop winging.
Report abuse
Don’t be daft! Guernsey is the one place you can get a job. It all depends on what you want to do and if you can’t do it here..as with many other professions, then you go where the work is!
Report abuse
Student Bob: I did not mean you were moaning, Apologises that came across wrong. I meant it to the People in the article. As someone has already said we are desperate for nurses over here! I do very strongly agree with your bursary idea. Even if it is only a part bursary, in the respect a contribution is made towards the uni fees in exchange for the participant working for say 10 weeks in summer holidays, 4 over Christmas etc. With no obligation to work at the place afterwards, therefore the participant has some experience of the working world, and has learnt some skills they could fall back on.
Report abuse
The problem is – they come back & expect it as their god given right to waltz in to highly paid positions….
There is no need to be afraid about a lack of work – there is plenty work around, working in retail, construction, driving jobs etc…
Or are those jobs below you??
Not everyone is lucky enough to come from a family that can afford to fund a University education – but they all manage to work without whinging to the press about it…
Credit Crunch = REALITY CHECK….
There is plenty of work around – roll your sleeves up & get on with it – you have shirked work & sponged off of the taxpayer for years now whilst others have been hard at work funding your extended education – get a grip….
Report abuse
Yes good points again Student Bob. I like the idea of degree funding being tied to subsequent work in Guernsey. Why should the states fund a degree of someone who does not have the intent to come back?
I hear that there is a good opportunities for sheep physiotherapists in NZ??? tempting huh?
Report abuse
My nephew has a degree in extinct Babylonian Languages – with honours.
I’m appalled he can’t get a job back in Guernsey. I will be writing a strongly worded letter……….in Aramaic.
Report abuse
Surely that is TIC Jackie?
What relevance is that degree to the economic market available in Guernsey. At best all that degree will show is that he can apply himself and study.
Report abuse
Pretty poor article by the press.
“Hmmm, weve got some empty inches today, what part of the economic downturn havent we already exploited??……. wait a minute, get down to the school”
Recession or no recession anyone doing photography is going to find it hard to get a decent well paid job in Guernsey so that a nonsense quote.
Wil’s Economic survival 101 is spot on, there is a big difference between a useful degree and something whihch isnt worth the paper its written on
Report abuse
As a mature student and therefore someone who has experienced the working life in Guernsey I find myself having empathy for the people in the article as I now know how they are feeling. Going away has been one of the best things and hardest things I have ever done, getting away from the island gives you knew life experiences and makes you appreciate guernsey so much more. I truly hope to be able to return to the island once I have graduated and i don’t think any job is below me however I would like to aim for the best as, afterall, i have spent a long time studying and paying my own way to get this degree. Students are feeling this way in the UK too. Credit crunch or no credit crunch, everyone benefits from education in one way or another. My advice to the people in the article is to get out there, get your education without regrets and dont let anyone tell you your wasting tax payers money, its not like you are sat around doing nothing! Uni is harder than it looks, i for one know that now!
Report abuse
SDG says “I know this will be difficult to police and will possibly prompt outrage but surely something can be arranged whereby grants are given to those learning valuable skills to bring back to the island like teachers, lawyers doctors et al and loans to those who are doing mickey mouse degress like psyhology or art and design-knowing full well they have no intention of using their degree for a career ”
I hate to break it to you, sure as you are of how right you are, but a) lots of 18 year olds when they choose a degree don’t and can’t know for sure that they’ll be working in those exact areas when they’re in their 20s or older; and b) there are plenty of people who use their psychology, art, and design degrees (and others!) in their jobs, here in Guernsey and elsewhere.
Taking psychology as an example: there are 13 psychology posts in Guernsey. 4 of these held by locals. The others had to be recruited from the UK because there was no one suitably qualified locally.
And given that training as a medical doctor (or a psychologist for that matter) needs 1) a university, 2) a large teaching hospital, and 3) a population large enough to be able to come across and treat relatively rare disorders, we are never going to be able to train these types of professionals in Guernsey.
The licensing system in this respect acts as a cheap alternative to paying for people to train in all sorts of specialized areas. The argument goes like this: why pay to train someone local as a clinical psychologist (cost: around £170,000) who may then take their skills elsewhere, when you can buy in the same skills for nothing more than a license and a relocation package (cost: around £40,000).
Report abuse