employability survey initial findings

Employability Survey The UK graduate in the Indian job market Initial findings Research Background  It is evident from past student interactions at Education UK Exhibitions, outreach activities and other promotional activities that Indian students aspire to study at an International University to improve their career prospects, the most popular destinations are USA, UK, Australia and Singapore is an upcoming destination  Currently there are over 31,000 Indian students studying in the UK  HESA statistics reveal that Indian students are the second largest in number the UK after China  Given this, the British Council engaged Taylor Nelsen Sofres (TNS), India to conduct a research study to understand the market value of a UK degree amongst Indian employers and give directions on how the UK can be positioned as a more attractive study destination Research Objectives  Brand UK amongst Indian employers – awareness, extent of awareness, experiences, market value of a UK degree  The recruitment process that Indian employers comply to and their perspective about an overseas graduate  Value perspective of UK graduates as opposed to students graduating from competition countries including India Approach Two Step Process: Qualitative Phase Quantitative Phase Three main categories… The Closed • Typically Indian local / pure engineering companies that have never recruited foreign trained • Have Basic criteria from hires- well met by Indian educational institutions The Inclined • Large Indian/MNC • Confident of attracting talent into their organization • Indian institutes seen to provide excellent employee material The Open • Either specialist consulting organizations or consultant functions within larger organizations • Need special skills/ attributes from hires, not easily found in general A Snapshot Typical Recruitment Process Attitude towards foreign What’s holding them back? What can be done to increase educational recruits The Closed • Not a regular process, at most an association • Closed to the idea- consider with local college Indian educated as hard working, • Use campus notices and newspaper ads well trained in subject matter, employability? • Do not see relevance • Would be very hard to gain access of any scale or size adjust well with working conditions The Inclined • Large scale regular recruitment processes • Campus recruitments for freshers • Consultants for mid & senior level • Open to the idea- either open • Low awareness • Perception that only those who •Increase awareness, bring UK for specialized tasks or to can’t get placed come back • Internship programs to help “encourage diversity of thought” corporate interact with potential •However, not ready to • No summer internship • Delayed recruitment proactively look for foreign schedule • Promote special ‘industry’ to recruit from top institutes or recruits – currently well serviced into consideration set recruits specific courses by Indian institutes The Open • On the look out on an on going basis • Attend to applications through walk ins, • Have an experience with & • US fares better in terms of • Increase India specific courses actively seek foreign recruits thought leadership, innovative, and exposure to Indian working websites and colleges who provide interns • Foreign educated recruits students’ attitude (more open, conditions bring in a valuable skill set and a willing to learn & adjust) different way of working • Australia also emerging as a • Regain thought leadership • Improve awareness among threat alumni of opportunities in India Alumni: We looked at:  Incentives to foreign Education  Incentives to UK education  Experience in the UK Worthiness of the degree A Snapshot Key triggers to foreign Key triggers to UK Experience at UK Worthiness of Degree • World ranking • Cost effective • All expectations meet • Not able to get a good education The Farsighted • Global exposure • Impact on personality start (no job) • Pay off expected in long traits term The Intellectual • High Quality of • Heritage/ respect education associated • All expectations meet • High- able to get the required knowledge of the • Global Exposure domain, but low awareness of suitable career options in india The Easy Going • Exploring & Experiencing life • Global Exposure • Easy entry • One year course • ‘light’ content • Above expectations • Not able to compete for the ‘tough’ jobs in Indiadesire an easier job with a better treatment SWOT Strengths Weakness • Spontaneous association with quality and respected •Lack of job opportunities in UK • No process for students to identify where they can apply in education • Association of leaders in humanity based courses (non- India, most end up struggling for a decent job technical) • Poor return on investment- salaries & designation at par • Easy entry standards • One year course • Practical and research based teachings • Lifestyle & culture with Indian educated students Opportunities Threat • UK & US perceived and associated with good quality • Australia & Singapore are clearly perceived as a cheaper education (better than Australia & Singapore) option (distance from India, tuition fee, cost of living) • The easy standards (entry to country as well as entry to • Job opportunities better in Australia & Singapore than in universities) , match with pre requisite requirement for UK Indians So far  From the employers perspective, lack of awareness of universities, and courses offered by the UK is the main barrier to exploring the UK as a recruitment source  Inability to interact with students before hiring  US remains the preferred source for foreign educated recruits - greater awareness, better perception Initial recommendations  There is a need to build a ‘connect’ between employers & UK universities (students) via Internships, initiatives by University career services  Employers are open to welcome University delegates for engagement Next steps  The quantitative stage of the study would cover the following aspects: • Brand awareness • Market motivators • Hidden opportunities & savers • Competition comparison • Hygienic • Findings related to other information areas  Importance of and satisfaction with each of these attributes to the stakeholders and therefore provide the next action steps Thank you