University-leavers looking for graduate employment should consider moving to Scotland, as a recent survey by TalentScotland has revealed that a record two-thirds of the UK's population of jobseekers would mull over a move up north. TalentScotland's annual survey, which aims to promote living and working in the country, has demonstrated that Scotland remains the top choice in the UK for jobseekers seeking a move.
The research indicates 68% of those in the UK searching for work would consider a Scottish career move, which represents a 19% increase on the figures of 2008. In the survey's third year of being carried out, it has seen an increase on this figure year on year. Head of TalentScotland, Hazel Sinclair, has described this year's findings as "the most promising yet" and explained Scotland's appeal: "Scotland continues to appeal to those looking to relocate but the factors jobseekers find important are shifting. Education, healthcare, security and culture are coming through stronger in determining relocation decisions which strike the right work/life balance,???? she asserted last week. These determining factors Hazel Sinclair described were questioned in TalentScotland?????s survey, with 83% of respondents listing security and safety to be most important to them in picking an area in which to live and work, with healthcare not far behind at 81%, career development at 80% and education at 71%.
Another recent survey, undertaken by a sales recruitment agency, has found that 36% of people employed in Scotland work every weekend and a further 54% do so on occasional weekends, making Scotland one of the hardest working regions in the UK. Scotland's appeal as a country in which to establish oneself in a career, then, is clearly on the up and for graduates, this could represent a significant new trend if new university-leavers begin to follow suit in researching careers in the northernmost region of the UK. Scotland does offer considerable graduate opportunities, such as employment at the BBC, who are incidentally currently recruiting. In terms of work, then, it could translate as a shrewd move for graduates, now more than ever, with many young people still regarding England and, more specifically, the capital as THE place to head for graduate employment. Next time you perform a careers search, graduates (or graduates-to-be), it might well be worth extending your search terms outside of England.
Louise, GRB Journalist
