University graduate employment rate rises

The Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) Survey is a national annual survey of everyone who has recently qualified from any university or HE college in the UK.

Each year the University on behalf of the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) asks everyone who has recently completed a course to take part in a survey.

Leavers are contacted approximately six months after they have graduated to find out what they are doing in terms of work and study.

The University has seen the percentage of its graduates going into work or further study rise by five per cent to nearly 90 per cent.

In the last 12 months the University has made a number of improvements in the way it supports graduates.

This includes:

• Doubling the number of graduate internships it offers within the University
• Increasing opportunities for placements to gain vital work experience with regional and national employers
• Working closely with businesses in the region via the Wolverhampton Business Solutions Centre
• Enhancing the employability of new graduates with skills development both within the curriculum and through a new University Employability Award
• Supporting graduates after they’ve left through training opportunities and updates about job vacancies.

Dean of Students Jon Elsmore said: “We’ve put a lot of hard work into improving the service we provide to graduates so we’re really proud to hear that so many of them are going on into jobs or further study.

“This all comes against a backdrop of challenging economic times, particularly in the Black Country and West Midlands, where the majority of our students come from.

“We still have plenty of work to do and aim to keep progressing.”

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton, Professor Geoff Layer, said: “It’s really important that we are able to produce graduates that are ready for the world of work and equipped with the right skills and attributes.

“The University has placed a big emphasis this year on improving the service we offer to our students and improving their employability. This has included the work we do to help graduates start up their own ventures.

“It’s good news that nearly 90 per cent are going onto jobs or further study and we must maintain that momentum as part of our role in helping shape economic regeneration in the region.”

Full-time undergraduate first degree leavers being in employment or further study after six months was 89 per cent.

And 91 per cent of undergraduate first degree part-time leavers were in employment or further study.

ENDS

For more information please contact James Allen in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322003

Date Issued: Thursday 4 July 2013