Graduates finding no gap in the job market opt for a year out abroad

Published on Wednesday 20 May 2009 22:04

CUTS in graduate jobs are forcing increasing numbers of young Scots to go overseas, a new study has show.

In just a year, the number in Scotland taking a gap year has increased by 50 per cent, according the Year Out Group.

The not-for-profit body representing year-out organisations said around 400 are now leaving Scotland to volunteer or teach rather than fight for a dwindling number of jobs.

Year Out Group chief executive Richard Oliver said the recession was having an effect – postgraduates in particular were finding it difficult to find a job, so were opting for a year out.

He said: "Some graduates are even taking out extra loans as they think this will eventually help them get a job.

"People are thinking if they have a gap year things might have improved on the employment front by the time they return.

"Graduates are aware that they aren't just going to walk into a job any more and anything like volunteer work, particularly for an extended period of three to six months, can really give them an edge in the employment market," Mr Oliver said.

As the statistics cover only those taking on charitable work, the numbers leaving Scotland to travel or find paid work will be much higher. The Scotsman previously revealed the crisis facing Scotland's graduates this summer as many large firms cut their recruitment schemes.

It also emerged yesterday that big law firms in Scotland are paying trainees to take up gap years before starting jobs. Several are paying recruits up to 5,000 to defer their employment for a year, in the hope the economy will have picked up by them.

Legal firm Dundas & Wilson confirmed it was in the process of offering trainees 5,000 to defer their job offer, with no conditions attached.

Maclay Murray & Spens has also been offering a financial incentive for trainees to defer.

Law Society of Scotland deputy director of education Collette Paterson said it was important for firms to think about the long term. She said: "We understand that firms are having to make difficult economic decisions in terms of their staffing, including traineeships.

"We would still encourage firms to talk to us about their long plans in terms of their trainee recruitment, whether they have taken on trainees this year or are deferring take-up."

Labour further and higher education spokeswoman Claire Baker said the rise showed the government needed to do more. She said: "They must make sure students have enough money to live on when they study, and have the opportunity to use their skills when they graduate.

"The actions I have been calling for – to increase levels of student support, and investment in graduate opportunities – are exactly the kind of action the SNP should be taking."