Careers Advisory Service

Careers Advisory Service Annual Report 2012/13 First Destination Statistics Careers Advisory Service 2 nd Floor, 7-9 South Leinster Street The University of Dublin, Trinity College Dublin 2 Tel: 01-8961721/1705 Fax: 01-8964306 E-mail: Careers@tcd.ie http://www.tcd.ie/careers

1. REVIEW OF THE LABOUR MARKET Throughout the past academic year there were a series of steady signs that confidence was returning and that Irish economic recovery had begun: The IDA reported the creation of 12,722 new jobs during 2012 (6,570 net new jobs), the IDA s third consecutive year of growth in net employment. Job losses at IDA client companies were the lowest for a decade. In fact Ireland was the fourth largest recipient of foreign direct investment from the US in 2012, in contrast to Europe generally where investment fell by 17.5%. Separately, Enterprise Ireland supported companies created 12,861 new jobs (3,338 net new jobs) driven primarily by records levels of exports which broke the 16 billion barrier for the first time. The Exchequer returns for 2012 revealed that tax revenues were higher and spending was lower than forecast. The combined disposable income of all Irish households increased during 2012, the first annual increase since the recession began. However, three quarters of the increase was saved with less than a quarter being spent providing a negligible contribution to the domestic economy and hence to job creation in this segment. Retail sales figures for the first quarter of 2013 recorded a contraction on the same period in 2012. There was a further contraction in the second quarter bringing performance to a new post-crash low. Early in 2013, the government negotiated a deal which pushed the repayment period for the 28 billion Anglo Irish Bank debt out for up to forty years making the national debt more manageable, lessening the need for austerity. This deal provided a degree of stimulus for the domestic economy, paving the way for some modest job creation particularly in the retail sector. The arrangement also helped the country s status with debt ratings agencies and in the case of one, Standard and Poors, the outlook on Ireland was changed from negative to stable. Shortly after the promissory note deal, the government returned to the bond market and borrowed 5 billion from private investors at an annual interest rate just over 4%. The services sector which accounts for about 70% of the economy grew at its fastest rate in six years. Elsewhere, there were signs too of recovery in the UK market, though overall unemployment remained high at 7.8%. There was a welcome improvement in the UK graduate job market - employers had cut their entry level vacancies by 0.8% in 2012. An assessment published by the research company High Fliers found that employers recruited 4.6% more graduates to start work in 2013 compared with the numbers employed in 2012. This greater buoyancy in the graduate market is reflected in the destinations for the College s 2012 graduating class. The US had its best year for job creation in 2012 since the middle of the previous decade with unemployment moving down to 7.2% by the end of the academic year. From an Irish employment perspective, the academic year started on a relatively optimistic note with the economy beginning to generate jobs in the second half of 2012 following the collapse in employment in 2009. The standardised First Destination Statistics page 1

unemployment rate at the beginning of the academic year stood at 14.8%. By the end of the year it had dropped to 13.3% (compared to a Eurozone average of 12%), the lowest level in more than three years. Sectorally, retail, information technology, scientific activities, construction, finance and property all recorded at least two consecutive quarters of employment growth. However, most of the jobs were in the part-time not full-time category and most of those benefitting were aged 35 and over. From a graduate perspective though, the more positive employment environment is reflected in the employment levels for the graduating class of 2012. Nonetheless, emigration continued to gather pace during 2012/13 with 81,000 people leaving the State in the twelve months to April 2013 up 2% on the previous twelve months. Despite this, the current wave of emigration has not yet reached the levels recorded in the 1950s or indeed the 1980s when half a million people left. However, as the UCC Émigré project revealed, emigration is not confined to young unemployed graduates. Forty-seven per cent of those surveyed had full time jobs when they left but 85% now worked in full time positions abroad. Satisfaction levels with foreign salaries averaged 7.5/10 compared with 5/10 before leaving Ireland. General job satisfaction was also much higher 8/10, more than double the average before departing. The average quality of life rating was 7.9/10 compared with just 5.5/10 before they left. The study also found that 4 in 10 would like to move back to Ireland in the next three years but only 22% thought it was likely to happen. The first destination statistics together with the results of the Émigré project point to a significant brain drain from Ireland which is likely to impact negatively on the economy in future years. Not all of the economic indicators were positive. Lending continued to fall and constraints on credit caused difficulties for companies. This was problematic since employment growth is usually driven by young companies and generally these are the businesses which have the most difficulty accessing finance. The Central Bank pointed to the continuing need to bring down wages in both the public and private sectors in order to lower costs and prices in the economy. This continuing downward pressure on salaries is reflected in the starting salary data for both primary degree graduates and postgraduates. Exports amounted to 51.1 billion in the first seven months of 2013, almost 6% less than the same period in 2012. Most of that decline was caused by lower pharmaceutical exports as some products came off patent. With just weeks to go before exiting the EU/ECB/IMF bailout programme, IMF official Craig Beaumont identified unemployment as the most important challenge facing the country. Indeed the Department of Finance is still forecasting unemployment to be slightly more than 12% in 2016 (and to remain about 11% for the 2017-19 period). Possibly entrepreneurship could help alleviate high graduate unemployment and emigration? Speaking at an event in the Innovation Academy last year, Dr. Charles Wessner a leading US government adviser on innovation policy said that more work needed to be done in relation to business and entrepreneurship on campus. Perhaps this advice will be reflected in the College s forthcoming strategic plan. Sean Gannon November 2013 First Destination Statistics page 2

2. COMMENTARY ON THE 2012 FIRST DESTINATION STATISTICS The first destinations of graduates from this College are shown in Appendix 1, Tables I-V. The number of graduates (diplomas, primary degrees and postgraduates) surveyed from the class of 2012 and falling within the terms of the HEA First Destinations Survey was 3,123. The total number responding was 1,653, giving a response rate of 53%. The postal return of questionnaires by graduates was responsible for an important proportion of replies, but academic departments also provided information and there was extensive telephone followup by staff in the Careers Advisory Service. The percentages, which are calculated in this report, are percentages of the total of known destinations (i.e. of those who replied to our enquiries). Staff in the Service are currently working with the GeneSIS team to develop a new, online process for data collection and analysis. The elimination of data entry from paper based questionnaires should enhance the efficiency of the survey. We are very grateful to everyone who helped with the exercise this year which is important not only for internal reporting purposes but also provides key information for the various league tables and university ranking activities to which the College contributes. Primary Degree Graduates The overall outcome for primary degree holders is shown in the chart below: 28% 3% 6% 63% N = 1206 Further Study or Training or Employment taken up by those qualifying with a Full-time Primary Degree in the year 2012 Some of the highlights, which are apparent for this group, are: The number of graduates who gained employment (both full-time and parttime) was 63%, (2011: 51%) a dramatic improvement on the previous year. First Destination Statistics page 3

The percentage still seeking employment at 6%, was one percentage point lower than for 2011. As in previous years this overall percentage figure represents considerable variation between disciplines ranging from 4% in Engineering, Mathematics and Science (2011: 4 %) to 7% in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (2011: 9%). By contrast, graduate unemployment in the UK for the same cohort is 8% (2011:9%). Those undertaking Research or Further Academic Study numbered 28%, ten percentage points lower than the previous year (2011: 38%) which in turn was four percentage points lower than 2010. This ranged from 5% in Health Sciences (2011: 8%) to 40% in Engineering Mathematics and Science (2011: 65%). 28% of those choosing further study opted for study overseas (2011:22%). When asked about funding postgraduate study, 20% of respondents were self-funding (2011: 19%), 23% received a scholarship or award (2011: 24%), 35% were dependent on parental support (2011:32% and 14% were using a loan to pay for their programme (2011:9%). This decline in the popularity of postgraduate study is linked not only to a more buoyant jobs market but is also reflective of the significant costs associated particularly with taught programmes and fewer grants for research programmes. Increasingly, students are dependent on parental support or have to take out loans to support their studies. Reflecting the increasing confidence in the Irish economy, there was a significant increase in the numbers obtaining employment in Ireland 44% (2011: 35%) but this was accompanied by a higher level of graduate emigration 20% (2011: 16%). Of those travelling abroad for employment the most popular destinations were the UK (49%), other member states within the EU (13%) and North America (11%). The Eastern region provided the vast majority (84%) of job opportunities for those obtaining employment in Ireland (2011:89%). Also in an Irish context, the service sector continued to dominate with 86% of primary degree graduates (2011: 81%) making it their sector of choice. Within that figure, non-market services (47%) (2011: 56%), financial services (15%) (2011: 20%) and other professional services (18%) (2011: 11%) predominated. Employment in manufacturing decreased, accounting for 12% of jobs (2011: 17%). This pattern is broadly similar for those emigrating with 82% entering employment in the service sector (2011:83%). Non-market services accounted for 52% of jobs (2011: 64%) and within that Health Services (62%) predominated. Manufacturing accounted for 15% of jobs (2011: 10%). Of those who declared their salary, 78% of primary degree graduates obtaining employment in Ireland did so with a starting salary of 17,000 or more (2011: 92%). Eleven per cent earned 33,000 or more (2011: 24%) showing that there continues to be a significant decline at the higher end of the salary range. 15% had starting salaries of less than 13,000, (2011: 6%). By contrast, according to a survey by High Fliers, the median salary of graduates working with leading employers in the UK was stg 29,000 ( 34,270) the same as for 2011. UK salaries vary depending on the organisation with 25% of organisations paying between 20,000 ( 23,634) and 25,000 ( 29,543) The percentage of graduates who were not available for employment or study reduced to 3% (2011: 4%). This category mostly covers those who are First Destination Statistics page 4

taking a year out but the majority of those who do so work in order to finance travel or other activities usually, but not exclusively, in Australia or New Zealand. Finally, the pattern of first destinations over the five year period 2008-2012 is shown in Appendix 2a. Postgraduates 11% 3% 10% 76% N = 445 Further Study or Training or Employment taken up by those qualifying with a Full-time Postgraduate Degree in the year 2012 The highlights for this group include: The number of postgraduates who gained employment (both full-time and part-time) was 76%, eight percentage points higher than the previous year. The percentage still seeking employment was six percentage points lower at 10% (2011: 16%). As is the case with primary degree graduates, this overall percentage figure represents considerable variation between disciplines ranging from 14% in Engineering, Mathematics and Science (2011: 19%) to 3% in Health Sciences. By contrast, postgraduate unemployment in the UK for the same cohort is 6%, two percentage points lower than for 2011. The numbers obtaining employment in Ireland increased 53% (2011: 51%). The numbers emigrating increased sharply 23% (2011: 17%). Of those going overseas the most popular destinations were the UK, North America and other member states of the EU. The Eastern region provided the vast majority (86%) of job opportunities for those obtaining employment in Ireland (2011: 89%). Also in an Irish context, the service sector dominated with 86% of postgraduates making it their sector of choice (2011: 85%). Within that First Destination Statistics page 5

figure, non-market services (58% (2011: 63%)) predominated. Manufacturing accounted for 12% of jobs (2011: 8%). This pattern is largely repeated for those emigrating with 84% entering employment in the service sector (2011: 82%), predominantly non-market services (52%). Manufacturing accounted for 14% of jobs (2011: 11%) for those deciding to go overseas. Of those who declared their salary, 83% of higher degree graduates obtaining employment did so with a starting salary of 17,000 or more (2011: 79%) with 33% earning 33,000 or more (2011: 35%) representing a decline in the numbers earning at the higher end of the salary range. The percentage of postgraduates who were not available for employment or study reduced slightly to 2.5% (2011: 3%). The pattern of first destinations over the five year period 2008-2012 is shown in Appendix 2b. First Destination Statistics page 6

FIRST DESTINATION STATISTICS Appendix 1 Table I - All Faculties Further Study / Training or Employment taken up by males and females who qualified with full-time Primary Degrees and with Higher Degrees in the year 2012. Total number of graduates: Primary Degree: 1206 (472 Males 734 Females) Higher Degree: 445 (263 Males 182 Females) Primary Higher PRIMARY DEGREE HIGHER DEGREE Analysis of Sector In Employment in Ireland only M F T % M F T % Agriculture, Forestry & Fishery 4 0 4 0.74 0 0 0 0.00 Building & Construction 2 0 2 0.37 4 0 4 1.64 Business, Finance & Insurance Services 52 47 99 18.33 12 10 22 9.02 Computing & Software Applications 16 13 29 5.37 11 8 19 7.78 Distribution 8 33 41 7.59 1 6 7 2.87 Electricity, Gas & Water Supply 1 0 1 0.19 0 1 1 0.41 Manufacturing Industries 13 27 40 7.41 12 8 20 8.19 Non Market Services 44 177 40.93 41 89 53.28 Other Industries or Industry not stated 6 11 17 3.15 4 4 8 3.28 Personal and Recreational Services 9 9 18 3.33 5 2 7 2.87 Professional Services NEC 25 41 66 12.22 10 13 23 9.43 Transport, Storage & Communications 0 2 2 0.37 2 1 3 1.23 TOTALS 180 360 540 100.00 102 142 244 100.00 Analysis of Sector In Employment Overseas Only M F T % M F T % Agriculture, Forestry & Fishery 1 0 1 0.44 0 1 1 1.04 Building & Construction 2 0 2 0.89 1 0 1 1.04 Business, Finance & Insurance Services 25 23 48 21.24 4 7 11 11.46 Computing & Software Applications 1 0 1 0.44 4 0 4 4.17 Distribution 0 2 2 0.89 0 0 0 0.00 Manufacturing Industries 18 9 27 11.95 3 5 8 8.33 Non Market Services 27 72 99 43.81 15 31 46 47.92 Other Industries or Industry not stated 3 5 8 3.54 4 1 5 5.21 Personal and Recreational Services 9 9 18 7.96 4 2 6 6.25 Professional Services NEC 6 8 14 6.19 7 6 13 13.54 Transport, Storage & Communications 3 3 6 2.65 0 1 1 1.04 TOTALS 95 131 226 100.00 42 54 96 100.00 First Destination Statistics page 7

Table II - Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Further Study / Training or Employment taken up by males and females who qualified with full-time Primary Degrees and with Higher Degrees in the year 2012. Total number of graduates: Primary Degree: 423 (184 Males 239 Females) Higher Degree: 289 (110 Males 179 Females) Primary Higher PRIMARY DEGREE HIGHER DEGREE Analysis of Sector In Employment in Ireland only M F T % M F T % Agriculture, Forestry & Fishery 1 0 1 0.54 0 0 0 0.00 Building & Construction 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 Business, Finance & Insurance Services 29 24 28.81 8 8 16 10.39 Computing & Software Applications 3 4 7 3.80 0 5 5 3.25 Distribution 4 12 16 8.70 1 4 5 3.25 Manufacturing Industries 2 4 6 3.26 5 2 7 4.55 Non Market Services 13 27 40 21.74 33 58 59.09 Other Industries or Industry not stated 3 4 7 3.80 3 3 6 3.89 Personal and Recreational Services 6 6 12 6.52 2 1 3 1.95 Professional Services NEC 11 31 42 22.83 6 12 18 11.68 Transport, Storage & Communications 0 0 0 0.00 2 1 3 1.95 TOTALS 72 112 184 100.00 60 94 154 100.00 Analysis of Sector In Employment Overseas Only Agriculture, Forestry & Fishery 0 0 0 0.00 0 1 1 1.79 Building & Construction 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 Business, Finance & Insurance Services 13 10 23 33.83 3 6 9 16.07 Computing & Software Applications 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 Distribution 0 4 4 5.88 0 0 0 0.00 Manufacturing Industries 2 4 6 8.82 0 2 2 3.57 Non Market Services 6 7 13 19.12 8 18 26 46.43 Other Industries or Industry not stated 0 2 2 2.94 2 0 2 3.57 Personal and Recreational Services 8 2 10 14.71 4 2 6 10.71 Professional Services NEC 2 4 6 8.82 5 4 9 16.07 Transport, Storage & Communications 2 2 4 5.88 0 1 1 1.79 TOTALS 33 35 68 100.00 22 34 56 100.00 First Destination Statistics page 8

Table III Engineering, Mathematics & Science Further Study / Training or Employment taken up by males and females who qualified with full-time Primary Degrees and with Higher Degrees in the year 2012. Total number of graduates: Primary Degree: 255 (143 Males 112 Females) Higher Degree: 88 ( 57 Males 33 Females) Primary Higher PRIMARY DEGREE HIGHER DEGREE Analysis of Sector In Employment in Ireland only M F T % M F T % Agriculture, Forestry & Fishery 2 0 2 2.02 0 0 0 0.00 Building & Construction 2 0 2 2.02 4 0 4 8.51 Business, Finance & Insurance Services 15 7 22 22.23 4 2 6 12.77 Computing & Software Applications 13 7 20 20.20 10 3 13 27.65 Distribution 1 2 3 3.03 0 1 1 2.13 Electricity, Gas & Water Supply 1 0 1 1.01 0 1 1 2.13 Manufacturing Industries 10 11 21 21.21 5 2 7 14.89 Non Market Services 7 5 12 12.12 1 5 6 12.77 Other Industries or Industry not stated 1 3 4 4.04 1 1 2 4.28 Personal and Recreational Services 1 0 1 1.01 2 0 2 4.26 Professional Services NEC 6 4 10 10.10 4 1 5 10.63 Transport, Storage & Communications 0 1 1 1.01 0 0 0 0.00 TOTALS 59 40 99 100.00 31 16 47 100.00 Analysis of Sector In Employment Overseas Only M F T % M F T % Agriculture, Forestry & Fishery 1 0 1 2.78 0 0 0 0.00 Building & Construction 2 0 2 5.56 1 0 1 3.70 Business, Finance & Insurance Services 3 2 5 13.88 3 1 4 14.82 Computing & Software Applications 0 0 0 0.00 4 0 4 14.82 Distribution 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 Manufacturing Industries 15 2 17 47.23 3 1 4 14.82 Non Market Services 1 4 5 13.88 5 4 9 33.33 Other Industries or Industry not stated 2 0 2 5.56 1 1 2 7.40 Personal and Recreational Services 0 3 3 8.33 0 0 0 0.00 Professional Services NEC 0 1 1 2.78 2 1 3 11.11 Transport, Storage & Communications 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 TOTALS 24 12 36 100.00 19 8 27 100.00 First Destination Statistics page 9

Table IV - Health Sciences Further Study / Training or Employment taken up by males and females who qualified with full-time Primary Degrees and with Higher Degrees in the year 2012. Total number of graduates: Primary Degree: 259 (37 Males 222 Females) Higher Degree: 62 (10 Males 52 Females) Primary Higher PRIMARY DEGREE HIGHER DEGREE Analysis of Sector In Employment in Ireland only M F T % M F T % Agriculture, Forestry & Fishery 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 Building & Construction 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 Business, Finance & Insurance Services 0 2 2 1.19 0 0 0 0.00 Computing & Software Applications 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 Distribution 3 9 12 7.19 0 1 1 2.86 Manufacturing Industries 0 7 7 4.19 2 4 6 17.14 Non Market Services 16 128 144 86.23 3 24 27 77.14 Other Industries or Industry not stated 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 Personal and Recreational Services 0 1 1 0.60 0 1 1 2.86 Professional Services NEC 0 1 1 0.60 0 0 0 0.00 Transport, Storage & Communications 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 TOTALS 19 148 167 100.00 5 30 35 100.00 Analysis of Sector In Employment Overseas Only M F T % M F T % Agriculture, Forestry & Fishery 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 Building & Construction 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 Business, Finance & Insurance Services 0 1 1 1.82 0 0 0 0.00 Computing & Software Applications 1 0 1 1.82 0 0 0 0.00 Distribution 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 Manufacturing Industries 0 0 0 0.00 0 2 2 13.33 Non Market Services 10 43 53 96.36 2 9 11 73.33 Other Industries or Industry not stated 0 0 0 0.00 1 0 1 6.67 Personal and Recreational Services 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 Professional Services NEC 0 0 0 0.00 0 1 1 6.67 Transport, Storage & Communications 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 TOTALS 11 44 55 100.00 3 12 15 100.00 ss First Destination Statistics page 10

Table V - Multi-Faculty Further Study / Training or Employment taken up by males and females who qualified with full-time Primary Degrees and with Higher Degrees in the year 2012. Total number of graduates: Primary Degree: 269 (108 Males 161 Females) Higher Degree: 6 ( 5 Males 1 Females) Primary Higher PRIMARY DEGREE HIGHER DEGREE Analysis of Sector In Employment in Ireland only M F T % M F T % Agriculture, Forestry & Fishery 1 0 1 1.27 0 0 0 0.00 Building & Construction 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 Business, Finance & Insurance Services 6 12 18 22.78 0 0 0 0.00 Computing & Software Applications 0 2 2 2.53 1 0 1 50.00 Distribution 0 7 7 8.86 0 0 0 0.00 Manufacturing Industries 1 5 6 7.59 0 0 0 0.00 Non Market Services 6 15 21 26.59 0 0 0 0.00 Other Industries or Industry not stated 2 4 6 7.59 0 0 0 0.00 Personal and Recreational Services 2 2 4 5.06 1 0 1 50.00 Professional Services NEC 8 5 13 16.46 0 0 0 0.00 Transport, Storage & Communications 0 1 1 1.27 0 0 0 0.00 TOTALS 26 53 79 100.00 2 0 2 100.00 Analysis of Sector In Employment Overseas Only M F T % M F T % Agriculture, Forestry & Fishery 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 Building & Construction 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 Business, Finance & Insurance Services 9 10 19 25.00 0 0 0 0.00 Computing & Software Applications 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 Distribution 0 1 1 1.32 0 0 0 0.00 Manufacturing Industries 2 5 7 9.21 0 0 0 0.00 Non Market Services 10 18 28 36.84 0 0 0 0.00 Other Industries or Industry not stated 1 3 4 5.26 0 0 0 0.00 Personal and Recreational Services 4 4 8 10.53 0 0 0 0.00 Professional Services NEC 4 3 7 9.21 0 0 0 0.00 Transport, Storage & Communications 1 1 2 2.63 0 0 0 0.00 TOTALS 31 45 76 100.00 0 0 0 0.00 First Destination Statistics page 11

First Destination Statistics for Primary Degree Graduates 2008-2012 (Expressed as percentages) Appendix 2a 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 Research Work /Further Study IRL O.S. 19.9 7.9 30.2 8.3 33.1 9.2 31.1 9.7 20.6 6.7 Not available for Employment or Study 2.7 3.9 3.6 4.3 6.3 Seeking Employment 6.0 6.7 5.2 6.4 9.0 Gained Employment IRL O.S 43.6 19.9 35.1 15.7 35.7 12.9 37.9 10.5 45.1 12.2 First Destination Statistics for Higher Degree Graduates 2008-2012 (Expressed as percentages) Appendix 2b 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 Research Work /Further Study IRL O.S. 9.7 1.8 7.7 4.7 8.7 2.9 8.5 4.4 8.2 1.5 Not available for Employment or Study Seeking Employment 2.5 3.0 3.2 3.6 4.4 10.1 16.5 13.1 12.3 13.7 Gained Employment IRL O.S. 53.3 22.7 51.1 16.8 59.5 12.5 57.3 14.0 59.4 12.6 First Destination Statistics page 12