Employers have raised concerned that graduates hired in 2025 are less prepared for work than previous years, according to the results of an annual survey.
The 10th?edition of the Institute of Student Employers¡¯ (ISE) Student Development Survey revealed particular concerns over essential communication and interpersonal skills.
It finds that 54 per cent of employers report that graduates do not meet expectations in self-awareness. This was up from 43 per cent last year and 35 per cent in 2023.
Furthermore, 46 per cent of employers outline concerns about graduate resilience, which was an increase on 37 per cent in 2024. And 22 per cent report that work-appropriate verbal communication is a concern, compared with?only 7 per cent in 2023.
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The survey polled 148 graduate employers between January and March on their recent hiring.
Despite the fears around work readiness, employers were broadly happy with the performance of graduates when it came to other technical and analytical skills such as problem solving.
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But the ISE survey also finds fears among businesses that the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is causing issues in the employment process.
It shows that almost half of employers (48 per cent) are concerned that graduates who use AI in the selection process misrepresent their abilities.
Stephen Isherwood, joint chief executive of the ISE, said: ¡°When employers take on new hires whose skills are not fully aligned with their performance during recruitment it creates a no-win situation for everyone. At best, the training process is disrupted, at worst, the candidate finds themselves in the wrong job.¡±
The ISE said that a lack of work experience is likely to adversely impact the performance of students when they embark on their careers.
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The survey finds that three-quarters of employers (77 per cent) agree that graduates who completed an internship or placement arrived with better skills and attitudes.
Isherwood said work experience ¡°makes better hires¡± and is the single most valuable step a student can take to improve their employability.
¡°It will help develop the essential skills businesses want and employers like to hire former interns, so students may just find themselves with a job at the end of it.¡±
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