By Michelle Boyde
Employers are targeting talent younger and younger. I just interviewed an HR representative from the National Institute of Health. It’s very interesting to hear what they are doing in the US to encourage very young children to take an interest in science. This is definitely long term talent pipeline management.
If UK university courses will cost £9,000 per year, we cannot blame young people for re-considering a university education. How it will affect the graduate recruitment pipeline in specialised subjects is up for speculation. Students who may have chosen a ‘softer’ course may decide to invest in a degree which promises a return – therefore, we may see an increase in graduates choosing degrees in key subjects like the sciences, engineering and IT. Or, will numbers of competent students chose not to enter the university system at all leaving the UK with a shortage of graduates across the board,
Either way, one thing is for sure: employers will need to step-up their industry attraction before students apply to university. Teenagers need to think it’s cool to be an engineer before they summit their UCAS form – otherwise it’s all too late.
You can read the full story in Universum Quarterly 2011 issue four. If you have an initiative for building the brand to pre-university talent email Michelle on michelle.boyde@universumeurope.com.
By Michelle Boyde
Across the UK, 32 per cent of students want a career where they are “dedicated to a cause or feel I am serving a greater good”. This bodes well for General Electric and Siemens.
David Cameron has said that £60m of spending earmarked for upgrading British ports to make them suitable for handling large offshore turbines will go ahead. Cameron wants the UK to be a world leader in offshore wind energy.
This will generate 70,000 jobs for these employers. That’s a lot of recruiting and currently only 3.9 per cent of UK students was to work in the energy/power sector. However, if they can leverage the ‘green’ angle correctly and use it to strengthen two already strong employer brands, they have the opportunity to appeal to students, as well as have the jobs available for them.
By Michelle Boyde
Today, The Times reports that the Big Four are recruiting 3,850 graduates in the UK this year. This is an increase of more than 20 per cent on 2009 and surely good news for the UK’s graduates. However, it seems that too much of the UK are lured by the lights of London. PricewaterhouseCoopers reports that 70 per cent of their applicants apply for jobs in the City, making it tougher to fill vacancies in other offices.
This is not only the case with graduates. Some BBC employees have been reported to be unhappy as they are required to relocate to Salford Quays in Manchester, to continue their jobs outside the capital.
However, invention and ideas are rife outside London. In today’s FT, a report from the British Library, home of the national patents collection, reports that north-east generated more patents per person per pound of investment than any other region.
Geographical location will continue to be an important factor when choosing a job. Firms need to build their employer brands to encompass how attractive locations outside of the south-east can really be.
The UK Universum Awards took place on April 15th at Regent’s College, situated in the beautiful Regents Park, London. The evening celebrated the top Ideal Employers of business and engineering/IT students in the UK. However, students studying natural science, humanities/liberal arts/education and law also have their favourite employers and the winner are: Read the rest of this entry »
The major focus now is to overcome the negatives of last year’s recession
By Christopher Van Mossevelde
HR professionals are positive about the economic outlook for 2010, according to a recent global survey conducted by employer branding company Universum. Nearly half of the respondents, from Europe, the US, and Asia, said that the promotion of their employer brand will be higher in 2010 than in 2009. One fourth indicate an increase in the amount invested for next year – an encouraging sign that employers will be active for 2010 after a rather dismal year! Read the rest of this entry »
Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is ranked 40 by UK humanties students, climbing from position 58 last year
At BCG, individuals can “grow further”. Flexible career paths are encouraged and employees have a lot of choice around the path that will best support their personal development.
By Michelle Boyde
Interview with Stephen Huntley, UK University Recruiting Director at BCG
“International opportunities are an element of our new branding campaign, Grow Further, which promotes personal growth.”
Read the rest of this entry »
Google is ranked 1 by UK engineering/IT students
Life at Google isn’t just about fun – ‘Googlers’ also work hard. Communicating this duality has become a focus for the company.
By Michelle Boyde
“We’re perceived as a ‘fun place to work’ – which is certainly accurate, but not the whole story. You’ll have fun at Google, but you’ll also have to work very hard.”
Interview with Caitlin Pantos, University Programmes Specialist at Google
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Goldman Sachs is ranked 3 by UK business students
For senior management at Goldman Sachs, recruitment and employer branding is a top priority. Goldman Sachs considers people to be its greatest asset.
By Michelle Boyde
Interview with Sarah Crawford, Head of Recruiting EMEA at Goldman Sachs.
“Senior members of the firm think about recruiting and employer branding in day-to-day work life.”
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Morgan Stanley is ranked 14 by UK business students
It is an exciting time for talented graduates to join Morgan Stanley. There will be great opportunities available in the future for those entering the investment banking business now.
By Michelle Boyde
“It is easy to be a star when things are good, but it’s a greater challenge working in today’s markets and it is now when the truly outstanding individuals will shine.”
Interview with Stephanie Ahrens, Executive Director in Graduate Recruitment EMEA at Morgan Stanley.
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Teach First is ranked 5 by UK humanities, liberal arts and education students
A national expansion has seen applications to Teach First increase by 63 per cent. A combination of making a difference and being professional is proving to be a recipe for success with Generation Y.
By Michelle Boyde
Interview with James Darley, Director of Graduate Recruitment at Teach First.
“Teach First feels strongly about positioning ourselves as Teach First, not a charity, not a route into teaching, not a traditional graduate employer, just Teach First.”
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