Graduates find jobs, but for how long?

Liverpool is seeing an increase in graduates coming to the city, according to new reports.

Research by the Centre for Cities independent body found that there were now ten percent more graduates in the workforce than in 1995. This is the second highest increase after London.

However, the researchers have played down the findings by stressing that this increase is a trend throughout the country due to the rise in university admissions over the past decade.

Liverpool does have a higher percentage of university educated workers than Birmingham but Centre for Cities researcher, Chris Webber, says: “There has probably been a big increase in public sector graduate jobs in the city.”

This could become a negative contribution to the city in the future though. “The pressure on these kinds of jobs resulting from the constraints on public spending over the next five to ten years could mean that Liverpool keeps hold of fewer of its graduates,” said Webber.

Most graduates educated in Liverpool do tend to stay in the city and this has also increased the ratio of higher educated workers.

This year alone saw over 11,000 new undergraduates coming to the city. The universities in Liverpool also received nearly 30,000 applicants.

The research also warned of the adverse effects of the economic downturn and how by 2014 a significant cut in public sector jobs will be a bad blow for the city and its graduate workforce.

A major criticism published in the report regarded efforts made by the city to increase graduate numbers and the jobs available to them. The Centre for Cities wants the council to move towards the private sector; a move that will hopefully be helped by new developments.

Oxford graduate Colleen Stephenson could not find work in London after she had finished university. However, she did find work in Liverpool.

She said: “I applied for a couple of jobs up here. To my surprise after a year looking in London, I managed to get an interview quite quickly and then secured a job.

“I really enjoy working in Liverpool. I’m closer to home and there is generally a more relaxed lifestyle in the city than in London.”

The Centre for Cities made it clear that a change needs to be made. Mr Webber added: “It is unlikely that the public sector will be able to provide the jobs necessary for the future of business.”