PwC is reputed to be the largest private sector graduate recruiter and opened recruitment for over 1200 graduates, 400 interns and around 70 A-Level students in early October. In total, over 1600 roles have been created, representing the highest ever recruitment levels on record for the firm.
"It's a bigger and brighter market for students in some respects, and the fight for the top talent is back on," says Richard Irwin, head of student recruitment at PwC.
"Graduates are hedging their bets by applying to more jobs and organisations. While it's great to see the paralysis lifting, as two years ago they were not even applying for vacancies that existed, it does put the pressure back on employers to seal the deal as early as possible, he says.
"Providing a great experience to applicants is a lot like how you attract and retain your customers. As students and graduates are applying to a range of jobs, we need to help them make the right choice and stick to it. For years, we've been building relationships with students well before job applications and offer stage - as early as school and first year at university. It gives them a sense of the organisation before they join, and helps them make the informed decisions about their future.
"The Browne Review will accelerate the shift towards greater partnership between schools, universities, employers and students. We can't expect the skills we need as employers if we don't get involved. It will also cement new assessment routes for graduates that we've trialled. We're looking for an employability record alongside a degree, and in some programmes, we're finding exceptional graduates who have not got a 2.1," says Irwin.
"With demand for university places outstripping supply, top talent could slip through the net. A-Level entry schemes, like the one we introduced ten years ago, are a realistic alternative for many, and we have received a massive increase in interest this year.
"We're shifting towards much earlier support of students. In three years we've doubled the number of paid internships, and doubled the size of our first year undergraduate business school programme this year to meet demand. Over 50% of those who took part previously have returned to us on further internships, and with a 95% conversion rate from intern to full time hire, you could be on the path to a permanent job before you've even started your second year at university," says Irwin. He adds: "Throughout the recession and into the upturn we have maintained and then increased our recruitment levels of students, as it's vital to our business that we have a healthy pipeline of talent.
"Students are asking about pay, but they are more concerned about getting the right job. They are riding a fine line between risk and debt. Providing the means for talented students to all but guarantee their employment outcome early in their academic career is a pivotal part of our strategy. Incurring necessary debt is a lot less daunting once you've secured your professional future and the means to pay it off," says Irwin.
"With students facing more competition, they are having to be more savvy about their job prospects early on. Applications for internships and placements are in much higher volumes and our open evenings have seen increased attendance. Strong students still have lots of options available to them and employers would be naive to think they don't still need to compete for those with outstanding employability skills and potential," he concludes.
1. PwC has a down-the-line link via Globelynx for broadcast / radio / online interviews. Contact PwC media relations for more information
2. Graduate / student case studies of new joiners to PwC available nationwide.
3. About PwC Graduate Recruitment:
4. PwC application levels to student training schemes to date:
