In a survey of around 850 UK businesses from a variety of industries, 67% said that a degree does not have the same value in today's marketplace as it had before the Government came to power in 1997.
As the dust continues to settle on the debate around the Government's Higher Education bill, these findings suggest that those students unable to meet the escalating costs of higher education may find themselves in a stronger position within the jobs market than their University-educated peers.
Given the choice of a school leaver with good A-levels and two to three years experience or a recent graduate with little or no relevant work experience, 79% of businesses would offer a skilled role or junior management position to the former.
Mark Ingram, managing director of Spring Personnel, says, "Whilst there is always a place for educated, skilled resource within UK businesses, these findings suggest that a degree is not the passport to employment that perhaps it once was. Today's business leaders are placing greater emphasis on interpersonal skills and an ability to do the job - traits that can only be learnt at the University of Life."
