Why is this National Indicator important?
The Government's purpose, of delivering a significantly higher level of sustainable economic growth for the benefit of all, requires Scotland to have an increasingly skilled workforce and an economy in which the skills of all are fully utilised. The great majority of Scottish graduates ultimately find graduate level jobs. As people with graduate and post graduate skills will increasingly drive the step change in Scotland's economy, it is crucial that the learning and skills they have acquired during their time in higher education are put to immediate and effective use in the workplace. The match between demanding employers and highly skilled graduates is a key priority.
It is therefore important to ensure that all students have the opportunity to acquire and develop the skills employers need in order that they can make an immediate and positive impact on joining the workforce.
What will influence this National Indicator?
For more graduates and postgraduates to achieve positive destinations, there needs to be an increased demand for graduate and postgraduate skills within the Scottish economy and graduates in turn need to bring to employers the skills and capacities that successful businesses require.
The indicator will show a positive movement if:
- Scottish employers are ambitious in taking advantage of the skills of our graduates
- prospective students get the right advice on how to realise their aspirations and fulfil their potential; and
- they learn skills in our universities that help them find high quality employment in Scotland
The design of higher education courses that provide students with employability skills, whether through including elements of work experience or by other means will have a role in this, as will effective information advice and guidance to help students select courses which will meet and build their capacities and lead to positive outcomes, and to identify career opportunities during the time that they are studying.
What is the Government's role?
As part of its wider Skills utilisation work government can begin to work with business and other partners, to increase the demand for skills as a function of ambitious, innovative businesses helping to create a virtuous circle whereby a thriving economy demands more graduates who in turn further drive forward Scotland's economic performance.
The design and content of university courses is the responsibility of individual institutions. Government can, however, through its guidance to the Scottish Funding Council, encourage developing the employability of graduates, whether through the adoption of specific employability programmes or as an integral part of HE courses. Working through Skills Development Scotland and universities and colleges, government will support the improvement of careers information advice and guidance services for both graduates and employers.
How are we performing?
The best measure of positive destinations is the measure that looks at the percentage of Scottish domiciled graduates from Scottish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) that are in graduate level jobs in Scotland or continue to study 3 ½ years after graduating. This data has been collected for the first time in 2006/07 relating to employment in November 2006, for those graduating in the academic year 2002/03. The next statistics are expected to be available in summer 2009. The data show that in November 2006, 70% of Scottish domiciled graduates from Scottish HEIs were in positive destinations.
Source: Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Longitudinal Survey 2007, Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)
Data on graduates' activity 6 months after graduation have been collected on a consistent basis since 2002-03, and can be used as a proxy. As the chart shows, 70% of students graduating in 2006/07 were in positive destinations 6 months after graduating, the same as in 2005/06.
Source: Destination of Leavers from Higher Education Institutions, Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)
Methodology
The evaluation of performance based on this proxy measure is based on the following consideration. Any difference in the percentage within +/- 2 percentage points of the previous year's figure suggests that the position is more likely to be maintaining than showing any change. An increase of 2 percentage points or more suggests the position is mmproving; whereas a decrease of 2 percentage points or more suggests the position is worsening. The threshold of 2 percentage points chosen is based on an assessment of the data available at this time, and may need to be reviewed as more information becomes available in the future.
For information on general methodological approach, please click here.
Further Information
2007 Spending Review Technical Note
Statistics Topic Page
Who are our partners?
Business Organisations
Colleges
Scottish Funding Council
Sector Skills Councils
Skills Development Scotland
Universities
Related Strategic Objectives
Smarter
Healthier
Wealthier and Fairer