Graduate employability results are the best in Yorkshire

19 August 2009

The University of Hull has the highest rate of graduate employability in Yorkshire and is the eleventh highest achiever amongst all mainstream English universities, according to a new report from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) showing the graduate destinations of first degree, UK domiciled students out this week.

Six months after leaving university, the 2007/8 cohort of Hull graduates were contacted for a progress update; 93.7% of them had either gone into employment or onto further study at that point. The University's score exceeds the national English benchmark by 2.7%.

The University's Careers Service puts the success down to the initiatives and close relationships the University has actively developed with employers, locally, nationally and internationally.  The University's Academic Departments such as Politics have a long history of organising quality work placements in Parliament at Westminster with some of the most high-profile MPs. Such placements are invaluable in terms of broadening a student's experience and enabling them to make contacts.

The Careers Service works with the students at an early stage in their university life to help them understand what skills employers need. They have developed a range of lectures and workshops whereby students learn how to utilise their degrees to the full. Students are able to choose a free elective Careers Management Skills module, delivered by the Careers Service staff with input from employers such as PriceWaterhouseCoopers.  A popular choice with students, it covers key areas such as researching potential employers. self-marketing techniques, skills analysis, successful job applications strategies, practice psychometric tests and attendance at mock assessment centres. Business executives play an integral part in advising and assessing the skills development.

Arranging events whereby students get maximum exposure to employers is a core activity of the Careers Service.  They have expanded the range of employer-led fairs on campus to include an Arts and Media event as well as one for companies with a focus on green issues and sustainability.  These are in addition to the annual corporate organisations' fair to showcase graduate schemes. Access to jobs and placements are available via a free online vacancy service.

Students also benefit from the University's £2.4m Enterprise Centre, which provides state-of-the-art facilities as well as funding and support for entrepreneurial start-up businesses.

Valerie Metcalfe, Director of the Careers Service said: "We are delighted that the University initiatives that have been introduced, seem to be paying dividends. Despite a lot of negative media coverage about the lack of graduate jobs, our results show that Hull's graduates are continuing to be successful. Quality work experience placements and early careers guidance sessions are key factors in enabling our students to mafe effective career choices and to harness the wide range of opportunities that exist in the region and further afield."

Ends.