High Fliers Research recently released their annual review on the 2010 graduate market with a particular focus on graduate vacancies as the economy improves. They revealed that as the recession hit, graduate vacancies dropped by 17.8% in 2009, 23.3% less than that in 2007. Such cuts were particularly evident in investment banks, IT and telecoms, chemical and pharmaceuticals and media companies where graduate vacancies were halved. Worryingly, the impact of this decline in graduate jobs meant that 100,000 graduates under the age of 25 were out of work.

2010 however, brings a new mood of optimism. The survey revealed that leading graduate employers have increased their recruitment targets for 2010 by 11.8%; however half of these organisations are likely to cut entry level recruitment. Despite improvements in graduate intake, the effects of the recession will cause a slow recovery. Even though the healthy growth in vacancies in 2010 restored recruitment to where it was in 2005, there are an estimated 60,000 additional students set to graduate this summer.

Like previous years, top employers have been marketing their graduate vacancies at the top 10-20 universities through careers fairs and campus recruitment presentations. Smaller budgets in 2010 however, have brought innovative marketing strategies including interactive training sessions, business games, networking events and skills training events, all of which have proven very successful. 75% of organisations reported greater application numbers than in 2009 thanks to such new marketing.

High Fliers Research conclude that 2011 is set to bring better things as employers are more optimistic about graduate recruitment in the coming year.