Should firms try harder to tempt their young staff to stay – or today’s graduates just flaky? At our latest employers’ event (above), companies tried to work out what’s going on
TOP EMPLOYERS MEET TO DISCUSS HOW TO HANG ON TO THEIR YOUNG STAFF (YES, THAT’S YOU)
Some of the UK’s top employers have met to discuss the problem of retention – in other words, why it’s proving so hard to hang on to their young staff in today’s fast-paced job market.
As hard to believe as it may seem to graduates struggling to secure their first proper job after uni, many big companies have discovered they are spending huge sums on recruiting young people – only for you to desert them around 18 months later.
Many firms say the problem is especially noticeable among certain groups of graduates – for example, black and minority ethnic (BAME) graduates, and those from poorer families.
This puzzle means a lot of wasted time and money, so they need to work out what’s going with this new generation – fast. These are brilliant jobs, with great firms – so, why aren’t you behaving like graduates used to, and sticking around for three or four years?
The discussion took place at the autumn 2019 meeting of the Graduate Fog Employers Club – for which the title was ‘How to keep them happy: Retaining your young, diverse talent in 2020 and beyond.’ The event was held at the office of Trainline, one of the Club’s most passionate supporters.
As always, the debate was lively – with our Club Members demonstrating their typical frankness about their challenges, and generosity with sharing solutions. Guests included representatives from Google, the BBC, Trainline, the NHS Leadership Academy, Accenture, Arriva, Cancer Research UK, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, the National Theatre, Selfridges, Hearst UK and Experian.
What were the conclusions? Well, it’s a complex picture… and no doubt Graduate Fog’s young readers may have a different perspective from that of the employers. So, we’d love to hear from you. Why do YOU think graduates aren’t sticking with their jobs for more than 18 months? Is the job not quite what you expected? Is the company culture not right for you? Or were you simply offered a higher salary somewhere else? Share your thoughts below…
If graduates are moving on after 18 months, maybe we should consider it from their point of view? Are employers providing a good work life balance, good development and challenging roles and a good workplace culture? Young people are less tolerant to getting the short stick, and will move on to greener pastures if their current employer is not good.
Any other grads thinking of killing themselves?
Hello Unemployed gradaute
Yes.
Its been 5 months since i gradauted . I have been thinking of ending my life. I already was diagnosed with depression at uni but gradauting has made my depression so much worse. I been sucidial for many months.
Being a gradaute i am living in the worst of both worlds. Overqualifed for retail jobs/ supermarket work and underqualifed for graduate roles. Gradaute schemes are just impossible so many tests before you have an interview. It does not help univeristies promote graduate schemes.
I studied law but dont want to be a lawyer. It is hard to get training contract. I have no idea what i want to do with my life. I did work experience at uni but not a lot. I am in to politics and insurance.
They say the world is your oyster if you have a degree but for me i feel like doors are slamming in my face.
I hate my life. I am ashamed of my life.
Everyone asks what i am doing and all i want is to cry.
People my age i went to school with and that go to my local church are doing so much better than me . They have careers and relationships.
I am single , unemployed loser.
Post uni life is the worst.
People say use this time to explore and travel.
I have no money and will have to sign on. Does it look like i can jump on plane.
Post uni life is confusing and isolating as hell.
People i thought were friends at uni no longer talk to me or even call me.
I pretned to be happy but noboby wants to listen if too difficult for them.
Take care and God bless unemployed graduate.
You are not alone ok 🙂
Love
Rose
yes, finding job right after graduation may be a difficult task but we should not give up and try to improve our skillsr