Gaenor Bagley, PwC head of people, comments on the AGR Winter survey predicting an increase in graduate starting salaries but a drop in vacancies. If you would like to speak to Gaenor or Richard Irwin, PwC head of student recruitment, for further comment please don’t hesitate to contact me.
PwC is the largest private sector graduate recruiter. PwC opened recruitment for 1200 graduates, 450 interns and 100 A Level students in August. In total, almost 1800 roles have been created, representing the highest ever recruitment levels on record for the firm.
Gaenor Bagley, PwC head of people, said:
"Throughout the recession we have continued to recruit graduates. Once again, this year we're attracting record levels of interest, as students respond to fears in the economy by starting their career decision process earlier and with more focus.
“Applications are 33% ahead of this time last year and about half of all our full time graduate roles for 2012 were secured before Christmas. We opened recruitment earlier this year, responding to students' interest and demand.
“Internships are a real focus of interest this year and roughly a quarter of the graduate intake will have spent an internship at the firm during university. We convert 85% from internships into full time roles which represents a great return on the investment. Students get a good look into our business, so they know what they're signing up to, and are better able to hit the ground running once they join full time. We think this is something that will only grow and shows the growing need for students to be career savvy at university, college or even school if they are to compete for the top jobs. They can't leave thinking about their career until university.
“Encouragingly, the regions are seeing a renaissance with applications increasing massively year on year. Students aren't being so London centric and opening up to the idea of starting their careers with regional business. We have been stressing for years that the regions present the same opportunities and big name clients and this message is finally sinking in. Similarly, applications to internships in the regions are up too.
“We’re keen to maintain the flow of successful female leaders in our business. Accountancy is a gateway to a business career, and we're launching a new PwC leader shadowing scheme this summer targeting female university students. They will shadow some of our most inspirational female directors or partners, with opportunities across the UK. The hope is that it will encourage more women to consider accountancy as a career."
Ends
*Responding to growing interest in our internships we have expanded our offering to provide more flexible options for students. PwC increased its programme for first year students, offering 150 first year undergraduates a place at the firm's bespoke summer business school. Showing how students are keen to engage with employers earlier, this week-long residential business placement called Talent Academy, has seen applications jump 68% since last year.
*PwC recently hosted a group of 60 careers advisors from a mix of private and state schools in the greater London region, in an effort to educate and inspire them about the career options the firm has to offer. This was the first event of its kind and is part of an initiative to forge better links with students at an earlier stage of their career to help them understand the options, and what they have to do to reach their chosen career.
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