'Forgotten generation' warning over slump in jobs for graduates

GRADUATE employment has dropped according to new statistics, causing critics to warn of a "forgotten generation" of young people.

The new figures from the Higher Education Statistics Authority (HESA) from 2008-9 show graduate employment in Scotland dropped from 69 per cent to 65 per cent.

They also show graduates going on to further full-time study increased from 20 per cent to 23 per cent.

Student leaders last night warned that cuts in university places and job losses meant that people graduating from further education this year could face even worse prospects.

Jennifer Cadiz, depute NUS Scotland president said: "It's clear many graduates have gone on to further study to avoid unemployment. This makes this year's cuts in university places all the more concerning."

Claire Baker, Scottish Labour's education spokeswoman, said: "These figures are a sign the Salmond slump is hitting graduates and their opportunities for employment. A forgotten generation of young people risks developing under the SNP if nothing is done to address this."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "Almost 90 percent of graduates from Scottish universities found work or went onto further study, only a marginal decrease on last year and a figure to be welcomed given the current economic climate."