Scottish businesses are hiring more graduates but are finding many of the new starters are not ready for work.
Businesses are reporting weaknesses in graduates’ readiness for employment, according to a survey of education and skills by Pearson College in London and the Confederation of British Industry.
Ninety-three businesses in Scotland took part in a UK-wide survey of 310 companies, which together employ more than a million people.
The results demonstrated the importance of graduates to companies, but also the need to ensure that those leaving universities are ‘job ready’.
The survey found a third of businesses in Scotland increased graduate recruitment in the past year.
Many businesses reported worrying weaknesses in graduates’ general readiness for employment.
Shortcomings in self-management and resilience were reported with 34%, 25% of businesses were concerned with graduates’ communication skills, and 45% were not satisfied with graduates’ levels of business and customer awareness.
Nearly 90% of businesses in Scotland gave more importance to graduates having the right attitudes and aptitudes to be effective in the workplace than to their degree subject.
Business recognised the value of strong links with higher education, with 70% in Scotland having links with universities and 38% looking to grow their ties with universities in the future.
Almost two-thirds of Scottish businesses wanted to see higher education institutions doing more to improve the business relevance of undergraduate courses, and 43% wanted to help students become job-ready.
Demand for higher-level skills in Scottish industry is growing, with 70% of businesses expecting it to rise in the years ahead.
Roxanne Stockwell, principal of Pearson College London, said: “It is excellent news that graduates are in demand, but it is worrying that firms are finding that many graduates they recruit aren’t properly prepared for the world of work.
“Universities have a responsibility to ensure that all students leave with the right attitudes and aptitudes that businesses need to succeed.
“Many universities have good links with businesses, but it’s time for deeper collaboration with courses designed in partnership with employers, and work placements built in as standard.”
The CBI/Pearson survey 2015 received responses from organisations with workforces ranging from less than 50 to more than 5,000.