Companies 'unwilling' to stop recruiting graduates

Many firms are unlikely to withdraw from the graduate recruitment market despite the worsening economic situation, one expert has claimed.

According to Elspeth Farrar, the Communications Director for Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services, firms would have 'a lot of ground to make up' when they re-enter the graduate recruitment market if they are to withdraw completely from the sector.

In the past, companies have suffered as a result of removing themselves from the graduate market, as they must attempt to raise their profile among the student population when they come back into the sector, she said.

Ms Farrar commented that currently the employment market is continuing as normal, stating: 'Most organisations say that they are going ahead, they are honouring any offers and expecting to carry on with recruitment.'

However, 67% of recruiters are expecting difficulties when hiring degree holders this year, the latest Association of Graduate Recruiters Winter Review revealed recently.