Graduate literacy 'worries firms'

Poor reading and writing skills among graduates are a concern for half of the UK's top employers, a survey suggests.

The Association of Graduate Recruiters found 56% of the 200 firms surveyed had concerns about a lack of 'hard skills', such as literacy and leadership.

The survey found employers were also less likely to trust degree grades as 'gold standards' for recruitment. Carl Gilleard, the association's chief executive, says that the survey provides evidence of what is happening to recruitment against the current concerns about the credit crunch and economic uncertainty. It shows that major employers are still investing in graduate recruitment schemes and that the jobs market is still expanding - but it also shows tougher times on pay.

BBC news item: Graduate literacy 'worries firms'