A report from Incomes Data Services (IDS) says UK businesses are planning to hire more graduates this year as confidence in the economic recovery grows, but warns that job seekers fresh out of university should expect lower starting salaries.
UK employers are expecting to take on 18% more graduates this year following a 4.3% increase in 2013. The study surveyed over 100 organisations and found that the financial services sector was particularly bullish looking to emply 42% more graduates this summer than last year while both the manufacturing and service sectors are also positive with growth of 22% forecast.
However, while the number os jobs available is rising, the average starting salary will drop, the IDS warned. Around 60% of employers froze their graduate starting salaries again last year and 65% have not increased their rates for 2014.