Graduates 'prioritise training'

Graduates who are seeking accountancy jobs, as well as other positions, place more of a priority on training opportunities than high salaries, a new study reveals.

A study by financial services firm Ernst & Young found that the opportunity to learn and develop was the top consideration for 44 per cent of job-seeking graduates when deciding which position to accept.

Salary and benefits were selected as the main factor for 18 per cent of respondents, followed by work-life balance (16 per cent), business reputation (12 per cent), and people and culture (eight per cent).

Stephen Isherwood, head of graduate recruitment at Ernst & Young, commented: "Despite the many concerns students have when thinking about their future employer, it is still critically important for many of them that their new job offers them opportunities to learn and to develop their careers.

"Travel, secondments, variety of projects and a flexible approach to work are all vital to graduates searching for that all-important first job."

The findings follow a recent survey by Financial News which indicated that many global investment banks are planning to recruit more graduates.