Lifelong learning manager Alun Williams and head of careers Sarah Stonebridge. (Picture by Tom Tardif, 0768972)
GUERNSEY graduates of 2009 will find it harder to get a job, according to lifelong learning manager Alun Williams.
Blaming the recession for the increased difficulties students will encounter in making the transition between university and employment, he added that those finishing their studies this year were more likely to return home.
His comments followed a recent survey by High Fliers Research which found that, due to rising unemployment, almost two-thirds of students graduating this year did not expect to find graduate-level work.
It also reported that confidence in the graduate employment market had fallen to a 15-year low.
‘One of the issues they will face in the UK is that job opportunities are not the same as they were and that makes them more likely to return to Guernsey,’ said Mr Williams.
‘While they may not get a graduate position to start with, they can expect to work at that level eventually. It will take longer and it will be harder, but they will get there.
‘The situation now is how we expected it to be. In the last couple of years it has been easier to get employment in Guernsey because of the buoyant economy – but that isn’t the norm.’
There are about 200 undergraduates and postgraduates at universities across the UK who will leave this summer.
Mr Williams said that to help them, the Careers Service was passing on business models to employers that would help graduates get into the workplace and holding a post-18 information day. Workshops might also be held.
Head of careers Sarah Stonebridge said graduates and school-leavers would find the job market competitive.
‘We’re conscious that it will be more difficult, but how difficult we don’t know yet. It’s about them being a bit more creative and marketing themselves in the right way, from the CV to the interview,’ she said.
‘They have to be adaptable and we want to make them aware of the support we can offer.’
nÊIf you are a graduate returning to the island and want to tell us your story, contact Jess Stephenson on 240227 or send an email.
Article posted on 12th May, 2009 - 2.29pm
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