As a new college year rolls around, at least a small part of students' brains will begin focusing on the issue of 'what comes after', where will you find employment once your course finishes. Thankfully, there is some good news. According to a report by the Higher Education Authority, employment rates for graduates in 2018 are at an all-time high.
Based on nine months of surveillance on over 18,000 students who graduated in 2016, 70% of them secured employment. 10% of employment came from overseas with 60% coming from Ireland. If you're searching for a job and can afford the increasing cost of rent, Dublin and Cork have the highest rate of hiring graduates in Ireland. Only 2% of graduates found work in the Midlands.
The report reiterates that there is an upward trend in employment rates for graduates that match pre-recession levels and, overall, graduates have a better chance of finding employment. 31% of the remaining students who did not find employment returned to education. In terms of careers, teachers have the highest level of employment at 85% but many find it difficult to secure permanent teaching positions. ICT or technology graduates earn the most with 38% earning more than €33,000.
Arts and humanities graduates find securing employment the most difficult. They were the least well-paid and had lowest rates of employment. 15% of arts and humanities graduates are earning less than €13,000. 40% of honours bachelor degree graduates earn under €25,000. At doctorate level, 35% earned €45,000. The highest rate of unemployment was found with people who have a lower-secondary education.
The study does not include Institutes Of Technology but graduates from universities are less likely to be employed in these regions. According to the chief executive of HEA, Dr. Graham Love, the planned development of technological univerisites will help address this problem:
The evidence continues to point to a higher education qualification meaning that you are less likely to be unemployed and tend to have a higher starting salary. There is a challenge, however, for us to create more graduate employment opportunities outside of Dublin and Cork in order to ensure better regional development.
