Career planning essential for graduates

Graduates should bear in mind career development when entering the jobs market, it has been claimed.

According to new research from the Higher Education Careers Services Unit, almost two-thirds of university students failed to approach a careers service at all and less than half attended career planning events.

HECSU's Futuretrack study, which surveyed 49,555 students, found that those on vocational business skills courses were more likely to reinforce their career plans while studying.

Professor Kate Purcell from the Institute for Employment Research at the University of Warwick, which conducted the study on behalf of HECSU, told Onrec: "The study found those who had entered university with clear career objectives were sometimes less clear about the detail of how they might develop their careers."

She added those who went to university without a clear plan were more likely to be uncertain about their job prospects upon leaving.

Meanwhile, a joint venture between Hull, Leeds, Sheffield and York universities will create a new Centre for Low Carbon Futures, which will offer management skills training for businesses concerned with the environment.