Job vacancies for graduates have fallen by almost a fifth and most have already been filled, according to a new report by market research firm High Fliers. Many employers started scaling back graduate recruitment plans a year ago, and half have downgraded their targets for this year. 

Two thirds of employers said they had received significantly more applications from graduates and many had already filled all their vacancies. A separate study of 1,000 final year students revealed widespread concern about their career prospects, with just 13 per cent confident they would find a job they wanted.

These drastic cuts on graduate recruitment are worrying news for people graduating this year. To make matters worse many of last year's entry level jobs did not materialise either. This means many 2008 graduates might still be struggling to find work.

Emerge in partnership with One Step Further, recognise that for many graduates leaving university or college and not being able to find any job, not just their ideal job, could be a very worrying time. Their career plans might need to be put on hold, they have student loans to pay off and with no concrete opportunity to go to, it won’t make the start of their professional working life a stable and enjoyable one.

That is why we have developed the New Directions for Graduates Programme – to help universities and colleges offer support and guidance to their graduates as they take their first steps into an uncertain job market.

We don’t believe it is enough just to offer a CV writing workshop or tips on getting a new job. In this downturn jobs may really not be available. In the current climate a much more holistic approach to support and help is needed which addresses all the key areas affecting a graduate person as they take their first steps into the real world of work.

We also believe that New Directions is a real alternative to costly outplacement services as it offers more for less.

The New Directions Portfolio has 3 elements, Career, Finance and Personal. To find out a little more about each of the workshops contained within the elements click on the boxes below.

Our goal is to tailor a solution for your University/College that meets your needs and budget so you can effectively support your graduates. 

Delivery methods including workshops, seminars, coaching, handbooks and workbooks are all designed to offer your graduates the right level of support at this critical time. How we could help you could include any or all of the following:-

• We can train (and accredit if required) a pool of internal coaches who will be help your graduates make real, informed and practical choices through 1 to 1 support. Having this internal pool means you are growing your internal resource and becoming self sufficient in the provision of real career support.

• We can train your nominated internal coaches to guide your people through the New Directions Portfolio (if applicable)

• We can deliver the New Directions Portfolio in full or you can pick and mix the elements to create your own programme relevant to your graduates

New Directions is about real support, real time and real choice.

For further details on the New Directions Graduate Portfolio or to arrange a meeting to fully discuss your needs and options, please contact Dawn Newson at Emerge on 01329 820580 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .