GRADUATE unemployment has fallen to record low levels as the proportion of college leavers starting work in the Irish economy continues to rise, according to the latest figures from two universities.
The statistics from UCC and DCU show that fewer graduates are emigrating, but almost one-quarter stay on to do further study.
Among full-time students who graduated in 1995, the proportion still seeking work was just over 3 per cent for both colleges. Further evidence of the strength of the Irish economy is evident in the number of graduates entering employment, which is the highest in five years.
In DCU, almost 70 per cent of last year's graduates gained employment. For the first time since 1990, more than half, 53 per cent, of all graduates started work in Ireland, up from 44 per cent the previous year. The proportion obtaining work overseas fell from 23 per cent in 1994 to almost 17 per cent last year.
The proportion of DCU students recorded as seeking employment fell from 5.6 per cent to 3.3 per cent. There were also fewer students unavailable for work, on work experience and training schemes, or following other vocational and professional training. However, the proportion of students who opted for postgraduate work increased from 18 per cent to 23 per cent.
"All graduates in all degree areas are doing well this year, but especially those students with good grades," said Mr Barry Kehoe, student services officer at DCU.
At UCC, more graduates entered employment in 1995 than ever before and three-quarters of them took up their first job in Ireland. A record number, 46 per cent, entered employment during the year.
Almost 50 per cent of graduates, particularly in arts, continued with further study of one kind or another, according to UCC's careers and appointments officer, Mr Nicholas Leonard. Starting salaries of more than £19,000 were common among graduates with postgraduate qualifications.
The services industry, particularly retail and distribution, financial, computing, legal and dental services, continued to be the largest employer of UCC graduates, accounting for 43 per cent of output. Industrial employment was up, but there were fewer opportunities in the public sector.
About 60 per cent of graduates on postgraduate diploma courses went straight into employment.
