Almost half of graduates 'ill-equipped for world of work'

Almost half of all recent graduates believe their university education did not adequately equip them for the world of work, and a quarter wouldn't recommend higher education to those currently studying for their A-levels, a new survey suggests.

The survey, by recruitment website totaljobs.com, also revealed that more than a third (38%) of recent graduates have claimed jobseeker's allowance since leaving university. The findings support grim figures released by the Office for National Statistics earlier this week showing that a fifth of all recent graduates are out of work.

Many of the 448 recent graduates responding to the online survey expressed a distinct lack of confidence in the value of their education, with 44% stating they did not think university had prepared them for the working world, while a similar percentage (43%) said they would not have chosen the same courses knowing what they know now. As a result, 24% of respondents said they would not recommend higher education to A-level students.

A recent report by the Association of Graduate Recruiters revealed a rise in the number of graduate vacancies for the first time since the recent recession began, although starting salaries remained stagnant at a median of about £25,000 a year.

Despite this, student wage expectations dramatically drop on graduation, with 58% of graduates believing they will earn less than £20,000 a year. This view is contrasted with those still at university, of whom 73% believe they can earn more than £20,000.

"The reality is that as a country we haven't been very good at creating graduates who are specialised in areas that employers are demanding," said Mike Fetters, graduate director at totaljobs.com.

"The economic downturn exposed this brutally in the form of high graduate unemployment. The only benefit that we can see in the disappointing decision to, in effect, triple fees is that it may focus the minds of those wishing to go to university on which skills are most in demand in the jobs market, which degree will best enable them to pay off debts most swiftly and create more focus on their chosen career direction."

Earlier this year the Guardian learned of proposals by several universities to award extra marks on some degree courses to students who could show evidence of corporate skills or other experience in the jobs market.

Fetters said: "It isn't just students that need to adapt their behaviour; there are also roles for universities and business. Universities must look to offer more courses aligned to the jobs market and incentivise them if necessary. In turn, businesses should engage with the education sector to ensure that the skills they need are incorporated into university courses."

However, many critics and academics point to an ongoing undermining of the role of universities in society, arguing that the purpose of higher education should be more about broadening minds than simply churning out "job-ready" graduates.