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SMEs could suffer from under-skilled graduates

Published On 30 January 2007 at 16:56:50

SMEs could be facing a dearth of skilled graduates, according to a new survey.

The Association of Graduate Recruiters biannual survey found that employers are missing graduates with 'soft skills' such as communication, term working, and verbal and numerical reasoning.

Even candidates with 'very good degrees' were often unable to impress at interview thanks to a lack of these skills, the report found.

As a result, job positions have been left unfilled: more than 43 per cent of employers left jobs vacant last year, compared with 32 per cent in 2005.

The report says that employers feel that there is an "inadequate supply of applicants of sufficient calibre".

Referring to employers, the report continues: "They go on to explain that candidates are normally academically proficient but lacking in soft skills such as communication as well as verbal and numerical reasoning."

Researchers surveyed 211 of the country's leading public and private sector organisations, including government departments, telecommunication companies, law firms and investment banks.

The average starting salary for university leavers now stands at £23,431.

 

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