What next for the thousands of graduates in Lincolnshire?

The start of the summer saw new graduates clutching their achievements and looking to the future.

But for some, celebrations turned to worry and anxiety in light of a report from the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR).

It reveals that the graduate job market is so saturated that 76 per cent of leading employers are only recruiting applicants with a degree classification of 2:1 or higher.

This is based on a survey of more than 200 of the country's top firms.

Research also shows that each graduate job receives an average of 73 applications – or 150 for the retail sector.

The latest figures from the University of Lincoln reveal that three out of every five of its students from the last academic year walked away with a 2:1 or first-class degree.

But this left 40 per cent of students with a 2:2 or third, placing them seemingly below the cut-off point for most employers. While it may seem that those students who did not quite make the grade will struggle to get a job, the University of Lincoln's career service has hit back at the AGR report.

Advisors are now assuring graduates that there is more to an employable candidate than academic achievement and is urging graduates to focus on work experience.

Spokesman Ian Richards said: "To achieve a first or a 2:1 degree at university takes considerable determination and effort – attributes that employers want to see in job applications.

"However, degree classification is by no means the only benchmark employers look for. They're also looking to see applicants with relevant work experience, good personal skills and the capacity to adapt quickly to new challenges.

"From the very first week at university, we encourage our students to think about what they plan to do after graduation and begin building their CVs.

"Many of our undergraduates complete industry placements and we run a successful graduate internship scheme.

"This helps to equip our graduates with the experience and soft skills employers want to see alongside academic achievements."

Engineering giant Siemens is one of Lincoln's largest employers and each year recruits dozens of graduates for employment and its apprenticeship programmes.

But Paul Birt, human resources director at Siemens, told the Echo that degree classification was not the only mark of a strong candidate.

He said: "Siemens looks for a range of skills and attributes in prospective employees, of which degree class for graduates is one element.

"Employability skills can in some ways be even more important and employers look for certain behaviours and attributes that go beyond the acquisition of A-levels or degrees. Motivation and self-reliance is clearly important, but so is the ability to work in a team.

"Basic numeracy and literacy are a must, of course, and problem solving and decision making are another set of valuable skills.

"Overall, however, it is the whole package of skills, attitudes, behaviours and qualifications that make the decision to hire or not."

Source: Ryan Butcher, Thisislincolnshire.co.uk, Tuesday 31st July 2012