Graduate Prospects sets national standards for graduate employment

For the first time employers will be able to see how their graduate programmes really perform within their industry sector and the UK as a whole, as Graduate Prospects launches a pioneering initiative that will break the mould on how graduate recruitment and development programmes are rated.

Developed in partnership with the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) and The Guardian, Real Prospects 2009 is the first national survey to explore what graduates actually think about their employersí recruitment, training and career development programmes, rather than their perceptions and expectations pre-employment.

The results of the survey, which will run annually, will provide a unique insight into the best graduate employers - as rated by graduates. Real Prospects 2009 will improve transparency within the industry and help employers make informed decisions when developing graduate recruitment programmes.

Mike Hill, Chief Executive of Graduate Prospects explains: ìWe are not looking to produce a ranked league table. Our aim is to inform the development of benchmarked industry standards, enabling employers to promote best practice in the employment and development of new and recent graduates across the major employment sectors. It is imperative that as many employers and recent graduates take part in the survey to deliver the best possible picture of graduate experiences.î

Bob Athwal heads graduate recruitment and development at RWE nPower, one of the organisations taking part in the survey. He comments: ìWe welcome this research as it is imperative that as graduate employers we ensure a return on investment by delivering on our recruitment promises and being truly recognised as employers of choice.î

The survey will be open from early January to early February and the results will be launched at the AGR Conference 2009. Carl Gilleard, Chief Executive of the AGR says: ìThe results of this unique research initiative will provide invaluable insights into how graduates feel about their real experiences during recruitment and selection, induction and development programmes. The more employers who encourage their graduates to participate the better - everyone stands to gain - students and graduates, those who advise them and those who employ them.î

Helen Bird, sales director of Guardian Jobs adds: ìThere is currently nothing else like this on the market, certainly not on this scale. We hope it will prove to be of immeasurable use to graduates and the recruiters of future talent alike.î

The research for Real Prospects 2009 is being undertaken by the Higher Education Careers Service Unit (HECSU). As an educational charity HECSU has unrivalled experience in the graduate market and is uniquely placed to provide rigorous, independent and professionally relevant research.

Real Prospects 2009 is open to all recruiters and employers of graduates in the UK and standard participation is free. Companies will receive a summary copy of the results as well as be included as a participating company in all research reports. All data will be anonymised and employers requiring a detailed look at their organisation will be able to choose from additional Partner and Associate packages.