As the pandemic showed signs of subsiding, summer 2021 saw many employers increase their graduate recruitment targets. In fact, by the end of 2021, the top graduate employers across the UK had hired 1,500 more graduates than expected. As graduate employability continues to rise in 2022, we take a look at 5 of the top sectors hiring graduates in the UK.
This research, outlined in the annual Graduate Market in 2022 report also found that graduate recruitment was higher in nine out of fifteen key business sectors in the UK. In particular, accounting & professional services, technology, and engineering & industrial companies saw the biggest rise in graduate employment. And this looks set to continue as employers across all 15 sectors have announced their commitment to growing their graduate recruitment efforts in 2022. With the number of graduate vacancies in the UK now 11% higher than in 2019, there’s never been a better time for graduates to break into the workforce.
This article looks at 5 sectors with high graduate employment rates in the UK.
Top 5 Sectors For Graduate Employability 2022
Graduate employability is at an all-time high since the global pandemic. As such, graduates have a wealth of job opportunities at their fingertips in 2022. Based on the findings from the Graduate Market report, we’ve compiled a list of the 5 sectors that have seen the biggest rise in graduate employment.
Are you looking for a graduate job? If you’re feeling lost or unsure of what to do after graduating, this list can help steer you in the right direction.
1. Accounting & Professional Services
Accounting & professional services firms are expected to recruit the highest number of new graduates in 2022. According to the analysis of graduate vacancies in 2022, broken down by vacancy, the sector will employ 7,424 graduates by the end of the year. This is up by 25.9% from 2021.
So, if you are a graduate interested in working in this field, it’s a good time to apply. Don’t worry if your Bachelor’s degree isn’t in accounting, you can always take a short professional course to gain the necessary qualifications.
2. Public Sector
Now is a great time to join the public sector if you’re a recent graduate. As you can see in the chart below, the public sector plans to recruit 4,748 graduates in 2022. This is up by 2.5% from 2021.
The public sector is a fantastic career path for graduates. Not only are there plenty of opportunities for professional development, but the public sector offers excellent employee benefits. From flexible working to paid annual leave, working in the civil service is a comfortable and rewarding career path with plenty of room to grow. Find out more about applying for civil service jobs on the gov.uk website.
3. Technology
Unsurprisingly, the technology sector remains one of the fastest-growing industries on the planet. As such, graduate employability in this field is high. Technology companies across the UK expect to take on 2,944 graduate employees in 2022. This is a whopping 38.9% more than in 2021.
One of the biggest perks of working in the technology sector is that there are a wide variety of job roles. From computer programming to data science to network security, you can find a career that suits your values and passion. What’s more, even if your degree isn’t in IT, you can learn the ropes by yourself or with an online course. As a professional in the technology industry, you can expect a high salary and plenty of growth opportunities.
Check out our graduate IT jobs.
4. The Engineering and Industrial Sector
Are you a recent engineering graduate? If so, now is the perfect time to break into the sector. Graduates from an engineering or industrial background will be happy to hear that the sector plans to hire 2,410 graduates in 2022. This figure has increased by 19% from the previous year.
While most employers in this field will require a degree in industrial engineering, there may be some entry-level positions that don’t. In this case, you may be able to get in on the ground floor and work your way up. Industrial engineering careers traverse a number of specialist areas, such as industrial design, industrial mechanics, or process engineering.
Check our our graduate software engineer jobs.
5. Investment Banking
If you fancy joining the high-stakes world of investment banking, we have some good news. This sector estimates that it will hire 2,005 graduates this year (2.9% more than the previous year). There are many perks of becoming an investment banker, such as an excellent starting salary and lots of room for professional development.
Typically speaking, graduates will start in an entry-level position, such as a Junior Analyst. They will then rise through the ranks, working their way up to Associate, Vice President, and finally Managing Director. Most graduates will join an MBA programme to boost their chances of moving up and reaching an executive position. Most graduates entering investment banking hold a Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, business, or accounting. That said, most employers will consider graduates from different fields too.
This chart shows the top graduate employers by industry in 2022
Source: https://www.highfliers.co.uk/download/2022/graduate_market/GM22-report.pdf
What Salaries Are The Top Graduate Employers Offering?
According to the report, graduate starting salaries in the UK look set to increase. In 2022, graduates can expect to start at £32,000. The investment banking and law sectors offer the most generous starting salary for graduates, averaging £50,000 per year. This is closely followed by the consulting and oil & energy industries.
Graduates joining the public sector or the engineering & industrial field can expect to start on a lower salary of £23,100 and £28,500 respectively. Both the technology and the accounting & professional services sectors offer a median starting salary of £32,000 for graduates.
This chart shows the average graduate salary by industry in 2022
Source: https://www.highfliers.co.uk/download/2022/graduate_market/GM22-report.pdf
Final Thoughts
Graduate employability has reached new heights since the pandemic. This is great news for students and graduates looking for the right graduate career path. With many of the biggest graduate employers in the UK expanding their recruitment efforts, graduates are in a strong position in the job market. A strong graduate CV that highlights all of their relevant employability skills will empower you to take advantage of this. We also recommend checking out our guide on how to nail your first graduate job interview.
Developing a Student has many valuable resources for students and graduates, including CV writing tips and cover letter writing tips. If you have specific questions, feel free to contact us or sign up for the free Developing a Student email newsletter with the form below.
Looking for your dream job? Be sure to check out our dedicated Student and Graduate Jobs Board for fantastic opportunities near you.
