Grads with skills in the ICT, hi-tech, medical devices and pharmaceutical sectors still in demand

RECORD numbers of graduates are planning to stay in college to gain further qualifications because the jobs market has become so cut-throat.

This year's graduating classes of teachers, lawyers and architects will face an especially tough jobs market as the recession deepens.

Many firms are recruiting only a quarter of the numbers of previous years. And in some cases, graduates who have been offered positions are being asked to postpone their starting date for a year.

Graduate confidence has evaporated in the space of 12 months, a new survey has revealed. Last year, 60pc of graduates were confident and optimistic, but in a complete reverse now 60pc are nervous and pessimistic, according to the GradIreland survey.

But it is not all bad news as graduates with "significant" skills in the hi-tech, ICT, medical devices and pharmaceutical sectors are still in demand.

Gloom

University career officers insisted the outlook is not all doom and gloom. UCD said two Dublin companies will be looking for "substantial" numbers of graduates to fill jobs in the coming weeks.

And despite the downturn, one Institute of Technology, Sligo IT, is forging ahead with its annual careers fair on January 21. The college said the number of companies and organisations taking part is nearly the same as last year at 50.

However, graduates have been told to hone their skills, knowledge and work experience -- even through voluntary work -- as employers look for more than just academic qualifications when filling jobs.

John Hannon, head of the Career Development Centre at NUI Galway and co-chair of Graduate Careers Ireland, said that while we have hit a tough economic period, he believed that the majority of graduates entering the labour market will still manage to get jobs. But he advised graduates to look at their career in broader terms and see it as a series of stepping stones or portfolios where they could accumulate skills, knowledge and experience.

Employers take as a given that people will have certain qualifications, so they begin to look at things such as teamwork, those with problem solving abilities, interpersonal skills, people with enthusiasm and energy, Mr Hannon added.

Dave Casey, director of the UCD Career Development Centre, said work experience for graduates was taking on far more importance among employers, who would be looking for "more rounded" individuals.

UL head of careers Mary Sweeney said: "There are still jobs out there. People who are organised and have a positive attitude will still find jobs."

Fergus Black, John Walshe and Gemma O'Doherty