4th February 2010 - CIHE Report on Value of Graduates and Postgraduates

A new report from CIHE outlines the findings of a small-scale study co-sponsored by RCUK which explored how the value of recruiting graduates and postgraduates is measured by employers.

The report "The Value of Graduates and Postgraduates" from the Council of Industry and Higher Education confirms that there is a need within UK industry for graduates and postgraduates equipped with more business experience and commercial knowledge and understanding. It suggests that all graduates should be given more information about the skills and experience required by different sectors of industry, and in particular, they should be provided with up to date and relevant advice on specific employers’ requirements.

The pilot study gathered information and identified key issues by looking at research literature and interviewing a small number of businesses across a range of industry sectors. Interviews focused on how different businesses assess the added value that recruits with undergraduate and masters degrees as well as those with doctorates bring to their company. In particular, questions were asked about how businesses manage the talent of their employees; how recruitment and promotion criteria are related; what additional value a post-graduate brings; and from which backgrounds do the best graduate and post-graduate recruits come from.

The report states that employers would benefit from knowing more about the changing nature of postgraduate supply and be supported to understand how graduates with different qualifications could add value to their business.

The study aligns with RCUK aims to broaden and deepen current understanding of the value and impact of doctoral training and it is expected that this report will help inform future activities in this area.

To download a copy of the report, please click here.

( Source: www.rcuk.ac.uk )