A controversial new study into the effect of racial background on graduate recruitment has suggested that black graduates can expect to earn as much as 9% less than their white counterparts for the same work.
The report, compiled by consultancy firm Deloitte, suggests that black students are not offered the 'same opportunities' as white students.
Elevation Networks, the charitable organisation which published the report, argue that black students believe there is a fundamental lack of guidance in the choices on where to go to university, and where to find the right job. They call for companies to recruit at universities which they do not usually visit, in order to increase the diversity of their choices.
Terry Awan of the multi-cultural network at Deloitte called the observations 'truly worrying', adding that this was 'not something that should be happening in working environments in the 21st century'.
The news follows the controversial publication of a similar report in February, which found that recruiters are guilty of allowing racial bias to cloud judgement on suitable graduates.
Sandra Kerr, director of Race for Opportunity, the group which published the report, said that it 'reiterates our understanding that the top universities and businesses - particularly in government, law, media, fashion and finance - have a long way to go in being approachable to potential new candidates from diverse backgrounds.'
But the report also reflected disillusionment at the other end of the scale - from the graduate. The report observed that just under half of black students believed Government departments operate discriminatory recruitment practices. 6%, meanwhile, expect to be earning less than £25,000 in their first graduate role, and 60% did not expect to be working within 6 months of graduation.
Studies suggest that their concerns are reasonably justified. Data released by the Higher Education Statistics Authority recently shows that just 4 in 10 black graduates are in work within six months of leaving university - some 30% less than their white counterparts.
There are existing structures in place to address imbalance in the recruitment of graduates. The direct.gov graduate careers website offers detailed and specific advice for black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) university leavers. The evidence, however, suggests that there is some way to go in tackling racial inequality in graduate recruitment.
Tom N, GRB Journalist
