Many graduates are leaving university with academic skills but lacking in other qualities essential for the workplace, a new survey shows.
A study by the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) found that four out of ten large employers believe it is difficult to recruit graduates with skills such as team working and communication and that vacancies could increase for the fourth year in a row.
The problem is especially marked in the accounting industry, particularly in London. Accounting is now responsible for almost half (46 per cent) of the unfilled graduate positions in the capital.
AGR predicts that, in the near future, the demand for employees will be "highest within fund management and accountancy or professional service firms".
Compounding the problem is the fact that graduates are also becoming increasingly selective and demanding when it comes to taking jobs. More and more are dismissing certain industries out of hand because of a negative perception of them, or the unwillingness to travel to other parts of the country.
Nine out of ten organisations would be willing to offer incentives such as travel allowances in a bid to attract graduates, the study found.
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