Most Graduates Forced Into Low-Skill Jobs

The UK has reached "saturation point" in terms of the number of high-skilled jobs available for graduates leaving university, according to an industry body.

In a report, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) say 58.8% of UK graduates are in jobs deemed more suitable for non-graduates.

This is the third highest rate in the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), with just Greece and Estonia faring worse.

As a result, graduates are unable to realise the benefit of their investment in higher education and are more likely to struggle under the burden of student debts.

Peter Cheese, chief executive of the CIPD, said: “The assumption that we will transition to a more productive, higher value, higher skilled economy just by increasing the conveyor belt of graduates is proven to be flawed.

“This situation is unsustainable given that the Government estimates that 45% of university graduates will not earn enough to repay their student loans.

“It’s crucial we as a nation take stock now of whether our higher education system is delivering desired returns for graduates, for organisations, and society.”

According to the report, the over-availability of graduates unable to find jobs suitable for their skills means employers hiring for lower-skilled jobs are able to ask for a degree, even if the role does not necessitate a university education.

This is particularly true in industries like construction and manufacturing where graduates are filling roles traditionally taken up by those who completed apprenticeships.

The results of the report have prompted the CIPD to call for a “national debate” on the need for more high-skilled jobs, calling on the government to act to ensure university leavers are getting the best value from their education.