1. 11 WORK PLACEMENTS IN LINCOLNSHIRE – MARKET CONSULTATIONA COMPARATIVE VIEW OF EMPLOYER ATTITUDES 2009 AND 2010

2. 2 Background Key problems: weak skills position and young people leaving Lincolnshire. Experience improves impression of graduates dramatically.

3. 3 The 2010 Survey 288 telephone consultations 95% confidence level and a +/- 5.49% margin of error. Covering sectors from Manufacturing to Creative Media, with 8% from the Public Sector. Specifically explored the perceptions and attitudes amongst smaller businesses.

4. 4 Findings CURRENTLY RECRUITING FOR GRADUATES? HAVE HOSTED GRADUATE PLACEMENTS?

5. 5 WHAT WAS THE MAIN REASON FOR HOSTING PLACEMENTS?

6. 6 WHAT WAS THE MAIN REASON FOR NOT HOSTING PLACEMENTS?

7. 7 MAIN REASON FOR DECIDING TO HOST PLACEMENTS IN THE FUTURE/REASONS FOR HOSTING PREVIOUSLY

8. 8 MAIN REASON FOR DECIDING NOT TO HOST PLACEMENTS IN THE FUTURE

9. 9 GRADUATES ARE WELL PREPARED FOR WORK

10. 10 KEY: Disagree or strongly disagree Neither poor nor good Good or very good NO EXPERIENCE OF HOSTING GRADUATE PLACEMENTS - 2010 WITH EXPERIENCE OF HOSTING GRADUATE PLACEMENTS - 2010

11. 11 POSITIVE (55%) “University graduates are well- versed and realistic” (Retail corporate, Lincoln) “They are generally a very good bunch, but the most qualified ones leave the county” (Agriculture, Grantham) “Our graduates have more common sense than those from elsewhere” (Transport, Horncastle) “Lincolnshire graduates have good knowledge of our business and sector” (Financial services, Skegness) NEUTRAL (17%) “Graduates worked with individual managers and they were all different” (Forestry, Horncastle) “I suppose they’re ok. Their skills need to be developed for practical jobs though” (Construction, Gainsborough) “Not had much contact with Lincolnshire graduates. We get ours from Sheffield or Leeds.” (Manufacturing, Boston) “Some are good and some are bad, same as any other broad group.” (Publishing, Bourne) NEGATIVE (28%) “They’re less prepared than graduates from other parts of the UK” (Research, Lincoln) “They don’t seem to want to work any more. They’re all lazy” (Engineering, Leadenham) “No common sense. They can’t even make a cup of tea.” (Financial services, Boston) “They don’t apply themselves, have no pride in their work and want everything handed on a plate.” (Manufacturing, Gainsborough)

12. 12 THE FUTURE OF GRADUATE RECRUITMENT IN LINCOLNSHIRE

13. 13 THE FUTURE OF GRADUATE RECRUITMENT IN LINCOLNSHIRE

14. 14 CONCLUSION Although opinion has changed, in all cases and in both years employers with experience of graduates had significantly more positive perceptions of the value of graduates and placements than employers with no experience. A work placement programme developed and delivered by the Enterprise Development Team will go a long way towards resolving some of the prevalent skills issues in the county.