The number of graduates emigrating to find work has almost halved in the past decade, according to the latest figures. They also show that only 2 per cent of graduates are still seeking employment six months after they leave college.
The figures are based on a survey of 37,000 graduates who received their awards in 2000. Although the economy had dipped since then, the Higher Education Authority (HEA), who compiled the figures, is confident that these encouraging trends are continuing.
Only 7 per cent of graduates are leaving the State to find work. This compares to 13 per cent a decade ago. According to Mr John Hayden, the HEA chief executive, "the findings confirm the continuing healthy state of the Irish labour market".
On the jobs front, almost 60 per cent of graduates are securing employment in the six months after they leave college, a marginal increase on the previous year. According to the HEA, only 2 per cent of graduates are still seeking employment six months after graduation. The figure for 1990 was 6 per cent.
The figures also reveal the career choices of graduates with a primary degree. The main trends include:
52 per cent took jobs in the private sector;
21 per cent took jobs in the public sector;
25 per cent work in the manu- facturing/non-service sector;
Less than 1 per cent work in the agriculture/forestry/fisheries sector.