FEWER THAN half of undergraduates who completed degrees in 2009 are employed, according to provisional figures from the Higher Education Authority.
The initial findings of a HEA survey indicate that 45 per cent of those who graduated last year are in employment, while 43 per cent have gone on to further education.
Some 7 per cent are unemployed while a further 5 per cent are categorised as not being available for work or further study.
Provisional findings of the HEA What do graduates do? survey, an annual compilation of graduate surveys carried out by third-level institutions, show that of those in employment, 80 per cent are employed in Ireland while 20 per cent are employed overseas.
At 7 per cent, the undergraduate unemployment rate for the class of 2009 is still about half of the overall live register figure of 13.7 per cent, but it is over three times what it was in 2006.
“Certainly the unemployment rate is up from a couple of years ago. Up until three years ago it stood at around 2 per cent so, just like any other sector, graduates are being hit,” a HEA spokesman said. However, he noted that college-goers were still at an advantage to those who did not attain a third-level education.
“The point that we would make is that a graduate is still more likely to be in employment than a non-graduate,” he added.
According to CSO figures, in March 2010 there were just over 59,000 unemployed graduates in Ireland. Approximately 57,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students are to complete third-level courses this year, not taking into account those doing PLC and Fás courses and other training .
USI president Gary Redmond said it was imperative that graduates remained connected to the labour market and reiterated calls for a national internship programme which would allow graduates to gain experience while retaining social welfare payments.
“We’re calling on the Government, if they’re serious about this knowledge-based economy, to put their money where their mouth is . . . and introduce some kind of programme to retain these people otherwise we’re going to suffer from a huge brain drain,” he said.
A spokesman for Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation Batt O’Keeffe said the figures were disappointing but pointed towards a return to growth in 2011.
“While the latest unemployment figures were disappointing and many of our young people are emigrating, it should be recalled Ireland is emerging from recession and roughly 3 per cent economic growth is forecast for next year. With recovery will come jobs – and the Government is taking steps to protect and create jobs including for graduates,” he said