Graduate jobs market to grow in 2018, says new study

Public sector is expected to see the biggest rise in graduate vacancies available this year

The picture looks slightly better for graduates entering the job market in 2018 (Getty)

The graduate jobs market is expected to strengthen this year with a 11 per cent rise in vacancies this year, a new study shows.

According to not-for-profit member organisation the Institute of Student Employers, the rise is a return to double-digit figures last seen in 2015, when graduate vacancies grew by 13 per cent.

Vacancies available for those leaving higher education dropped 8 per cent in 2016 and only grew by 1 per cent last year.

The public sector is expected to see the biggest graduate vacancies gains with a 22 per cent rise.

IT and utilities firms will also offer plenty of graduate opportunities, seeing vacancies rise by 18 per cent and 13 per cent respectively.

The picture also looks good for those seeking a vocational route, with employers expected to offer 32 per cent more apprenticeships this year compared to last year.

The number of employers rejected by candidates fell, with 4 per cent of offers reneged last year compared to 7 per cent in 2016.

“Over the last couple of years the recruitment season has been heavily influenced by the Brexit vote and nervousness over the economy, but we’re now seeing a return to normal state of play”, said ISE chief executive Stephen Isherwood.

“There’s a positive mood from employers in this space at the moment and students should feel reassured by this renewed confidence.”

Mark Jackson, head of junior talent acquisition at Fujitsu – one of the UK’s biggest employers of graduates – called for “more junior talent” and said a “highly agile workforce coming out of university is an attractive one for many organisations”.