10/07/2007
Tougher times for graduates
A report from the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) has highlighted that graduates face an increasingly competitive jobs market as employers ramp up pre-employment psychometric testing.
While vacancies have risen by 12.5%, starting pay has not kept pace and is a below inflation 2.4% up, reaching an average earning figure of £23,500.
However, according to the AGR, recruiters are confident that they can fill posts without offering inflation beating pay rises.
Around two-thirds of recruiters are seeking a minimum qualification of a 2.1 degree, and almost two-thirds of recruiters reported that the standard of applicants this year was higher or the same as last year.
Despite the rising number of vacancies, employers remain confident that they can fill positions this year.
However, the report noted that salaries paid to graduates vary widely. Banking and financial services posts pay top wages with starting salaries averaging around £37,000, though law firms are now paying more with starting salaries of £35,700.
In London, where two-fifths or graduates are recruited, average starting salaries were noted to have fallen by around 5%, but in other regions, Scotland, Wales and some areas of England, starting salaries had increased by up to 5.6%.
More employers are now utilising additional tests to select candidates. The AGR report noted that four out of five were testing numeric abilities, almost three-quarters were examining verbal reasoning, and one third were testing personality traits.
(SP/JM)
While vacancies have risen by 12.5%, starting pay has not kept pace and is a below inflation 2.4% up, reaching an average earning figure of £23,500.
However, according to the AGR, recruiters are confident that they can fill posts without offering inflation beating pay rises.
Around two-thirds of recruiters are seeking a minimum qualification of a 2.1 degree, and almost two-thirds of recruiters reported that the standard of applicants this year was higher or the same as last year.
Despite the rising number of vacancies, employers remain confident that they can fill positions this year.
However, the report noted that salaries paid to graduates vary widely. Banking and financial services posts pay top wages with starting salaries averaging around £37,000, though law firms are now paying more with starting salaries of £35,700.
In London, where two-fifths or graduates are recruited, average starting salaries were noted to have fallen by around 5%, but in other regions, Scotland, Wales and some areas of England, starting salaries had increased by up to 5.6%.
More employers are now utilising additional tests to select candidates. The AGR report noted that four out of five were testing numeric abilities, almost three-quarters were examining verbal reasoning, and one third were testing personality traits.
(SP/JM)
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Commission On Minimum Wage Visit
Two Low Pay Commissioners are to visit London next week on a fact-finding visit about the National Minimum Wage. The visit is one of a number of planned trips the Low Pay Commission is making around the UK during 2011 to "gather information on how the minimum wage is operating".
Commission On Minimum Wage Visit
Two Low Pay Commissioners are to visit London next week on a fact-finding visit about the National Minimum Wage. The visit is one of a number of planned trips the Low Pay Commission is making around the UK during 2011 to "gather information on how the minimum wage is operating".
26 September 2008
Funding Boost Of £455m For Equal Pay Claims
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Funding Boost Of £455m For Equal Pay Claims
Funding of £455m will be awarded to councils in England to allow back payments relating to thousands of equal pay claims from women workers. In a move to speed up long-term commitments to achieving equal pay for all council workers, local government minister John Healey gave the go-ahead to 34 councils to raise the money through capitlisation.
27 February 2006
Report highlights gender pay gap in the UK
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Report highlights gender pay gap in the UK
Women are still being paid less than men, thirty years after the introduction of equal pay legislation, a new report has found. The government-commissioned "Shaping a Fairer Future" report from the Women and Work Commission found that women are earning 17% less than men. This was "bad for women and bad for Britain", the report said.
09 February 2006
Parliament cleaners receive pay rise
Cleaners at the Houses of Parliament are to receive a pay rise, after settling their long-running pay dispute. The workers' rate of pay will increase in stages from £5.20 to £6.70 per hour by next January, under the terms of a deal agreed with the Transport and General Workers Union.
Parliament cleaners receive pay rise
Cleaners at the Houses of Parliament are to receive a pay rise, after settling their long-running pay dispute. The workers' rate of pay will increase in stages from £5.20 to £6.70 per hour by next January, under the terms of a deal agreed with the Transport and General Workers Union.
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