New graduates face tougher struggle in their search for jobs

By Jamie Doward, The Observer. Local Government Association figures show regional variations in job availability as almost half of graduates are still looking for work after three months.
Around half of all this year's graduates will struggle to find full-time jobs for many months after leaving university if current employment trends continue, according to new research. Analysis conducted by the Local Government Association (LGA) reveals that 51% of graduates were in full-time employment within three months from leaving university in 2010, the latest figures that are available, compared with 57% in 2003; The analysis reveals there is huge variation in post-university employment levels across England and Wales, with some areas seeing around one in three (36%) graduates in full-time employment, while two in three (60%) are in work in other parts of the UK.