Graduate figures 'wake up' call

UKIP spokesman Steven Woolfe

News that half of graduates who have graduated since the onset of the recession are in jobs that do not require a degree “should be a wake-up call”, says UKIP spokesman Steven Woolfe.

Official figures just released reveal that many recent graduates are working as secretaries, carers or factory workers as they cannot find better-paid work. Separate statistics also show that those who have graduated since 2008 are earning less and owe more in student debt than their predecessors.

Mr Woolfe, Euro-election candidate for the North West said, “This should be a wake-up call to politicians of the folly of driving young people into expensive university courses that do not necessarily guarantee employment at the end.

"It also shows how ridiculous the previous Labour government’s target of getting 50% of young people to go to University really was. Far too many students have been saddled with debt but left without a graduate job due to this insane target.

“We believe the goal of education should be to bring out the best of the talents and abilities of all children – regardless of academic attainment. For some pupils this is best achieved by preparing them for the world of work, rather than pushing them on to university to pursue degrees that have little or no relevance to the job they eventually take up. We need a generation with skills ready for the work place, tailored to the economic needs of Britain.

“There should be a greater emphasis on the value of vocational studies and apprenticeships as the best way for some pupils to achieve their potential."