Labour market needs Employers needs for and perceptions of doctoral level graduates and competencies Dr Robin Mellors-Bourne, CRAC This project is funded by the European Union

Study aims This presentation has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The content is the sole responsibility of University of Zagreb and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. Understanding of non-university labour market Why and how they employ doctoral graduates, now and in future Which doctoral graduate competencies are most important Perceptions of competencies of current doctoral graduates Perceptions of doctoral programmes and employer engagement with universities

Method This presentation has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The content is the sole responsibility of University of Zagreb and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. Identified and contacted c.300 employers believed to employ or with interest in doctoral graduates c.100 verified and invited to respond to online survey 57 survey responses received 44 employers used for final analysis 22 telephone interviews

Employing doctoral graduates This presentation has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The content is the sole responsibility of University of Zagreb and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.

Business sectors of those currently employing doctoral graduates This presentation has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The content is the sole responsibility of University of Zagreb and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. n = 30

Occupational roles This presentation has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The content is the sole responsibility of University of Zagreb and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.

Doctoral graduates within the organisations workforces This presentation has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The content is the sole responsibility of University of Zagreb and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.

Inferences about current and future non-HE market This presentation has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The content is the sole responsibility of University of Zagreb and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. Current total of around 300 doctoral graduates employed in sample Expectation of future growth due to expansion of current employers and new employers Growth will be driven by need for more R&D-based and technical work

Recruitment of doctoral graduates or professional development? This presentation has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The content is the sole responsibility of University of Zagreb and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.

Most important competencies This presentation has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The content is the sole responsibility of University of Zagreb and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.

Perception of competency levels in recent doctoral graduate staff This presentation has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The content is the sole responsibility of University of Zagreb and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.

Comparison: importance v. strength This presentation has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The content is the sole responsibility of University of Zagreb and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.

Perception of doctoral programme effectiveness in skill development This presentation has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The content is the sole responsibility of University of Zagreb and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. Much lower; but all think these should be included

Are doctoral graduates well prepared for (non-HE) job market? This presentation has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The content is the sole responsibility of University of Zagreb and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. n = 44 Little/no expectation of transferability

Extent of influence on skills developed in doctoral programmes This presentation has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The content is the sole responsibility of University of Zagreb and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. 2/3 employers wished to engage; 1/3 might want to

Preferred future engagement This presentation has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The content is the sole responsibility of University of Zagreb and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.

Summary This presentation has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The content is the sole responsibility of University of Zagreb and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. Potential increase in extent of doctoral graduate employment Few doctoral graduates currently recruited – most grown Expectation that doctoral graduates need to work in subject area of their research – little understanding of transferability Perception that programmes: - prepare doctoral graduates only for careers in HE - ineffective in developing competencies for wider job market - should include transferable skills Extent of relevant engagement with HE is very limited Most important competencies identified