Top grad employers commit to hiring post-Brexit

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Leading graduate employers state their intention to continue to hire graduates, despite the referendum result.

Following the referendum result on the 23rd June, some leading graduate employers have promised they will not slow down their recruitment for the future. Economic uncertainty and international concerns have led many companies to consider their graduate recruitment however, some of the largest graduate employers say they will not freeze their graduate intake.

Laura Hilton, an Executive Board Member at top graduate employer PwC, told The Times their firm is committed to continuing their graduate intake.

"We believe it is essential for businesses to continue to invest for the future - last year PwC hired more than 1,500 graduates and we are committed to hiring a similar number again this year," Laura said. "It is important that in uncertain times businesses hold their nerve and continue to create confidence in the jobs market."

According to The Times, the other graduate employers who have announced they will not change their graduate recruitment policy include Goldman Sachs and high street retailer Next.

Other experts remain tentative about the impact Brexit will have on graduates. A former recruitment manager, James Phillips, told The Times companies a hiring freeze may lead to big skills shortages in the future.

"One of the first things companies do during market uncertainty is to introduce a hiring freeze," James said.

"Companies are being particularly cautious with their hiring plans as a result of Brexit. Recruiting is an expensive investment with the level of training and time taken to up-skill individuals."

"If a hiring freeze is extended for a significant period then this can lead to a skill shortage as we can see developing in the oil and gas market."

Image credit: Teodor Bjerrang