Responding to the Association of Graduate Recruiters survey, Mike Hill Chief Executive at the Higher Education Careers Services Unit (HECSU) comments.

“We welcome the news that graduate prospects are looking more stable with a small, but significant rise in both job opportunities and salaries. It reflects projections reported recently in similar studies, and coupled with buoyancy in the SME market, this news marks a bright outlook for the year ahead. The marketplace echoes the situation in the US which has also seen a boost in salaries.

“However, we must not rest on our laurels. It’s not going to get any less competitive and the fight for jobs will remain fierce. Because of the increase in university fees and the rise in student debt for many, there are a lot of pushy parents who want their children to get jobs straight after university. Some people may want to take some time to pursue other ambitions – travel, setting up their own business, music or acting or whatever – and there’s nothing wrong with that in their 20s. After all, they will probably be working until they are 70.

“Careers services have been giving a great deal of support to students and graduates, not just with advice but also actively forging stronger relationships with businesses and developing internship opportunities to better equip graduates with the skills they need to find work. University careers services can be used up to five years after graduation with some offering alumni a life-time service.”