Enhancing Support for Graduates: Insights and Strategies for Councils

Understanding and addressing the needs of graduates entering the workforce is essential for councils to attract, engage, and retain young talent. Here are some valuable insights and actionable strategies drawn from data collected by Prosple, the Careers at Council Jobs Summit, and GradConnection.

TIMING & RECRUITMENT PEAKS

Insight: In Australia, job applications have surged by 15% compared to last year, with prominent peaks in March and August. Internship vacancies peak in February, while graduate job openings are most abundant in March (Prosple).

Recommendation: Focus recruitment efforts during these peak periods to maximise visibility and interest in your positions.

GRADUATE PRIORITIES

Insight: Graduates prioritise location, clear employer communication, competitive salary and benefits, defined start and end dates, and career progression opportunities (Prosple).

Recommendation: Ensure your job ads highlight these key factors to attract top talent. Use straightforward language and engaging video content tailored to Gen Z preferences.

SIMPLIFYING THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Insight: Graduates face barriers such as eligibility issues, unclear job descriptions, and lengthy application processes (Prosple).

Recommendation: Simplify the application process by reducing the number of steps and ensuring job descriptions are clear and concise. Highlight your council’s flexibility and benefits.

TRANSITION TO WORK SUPPORT

Insight: Approximately 60% of students are concerned about transitioning to the workforce. It is notable that internships are now nearly as popular as graduate roles, reflecting a trend where students seek practical experience before committing to full-time positions. (Careers at Council Summit, Prosple).

Recommendation: Provide early industry insights and outline required job skills. Use platforms like TikTok to showcase different careers through “day in the life” videos, gather feedback through polls, and offer workshops and work experience/internship opportunities.

WORK-LIFE BALANCE AND MEANINGFUL WORK

Insight: Graduates value work-life balance and meaningful work (Careers at Council Summit, Grad Connection).

Recommendation: Emphasise the importance of work-life balance and the meaningful impact of roles within the community in your job ads and during interviews to attract and retain young talent.

LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Insight: Graduates prioritise learning and development, mentoring, and continuous skill development (Grad Connection).

Recommendation: Offer comprehensive graduate programs that include rotational, stream-based, or role-specific opportunities. Ensure full-time roles with clear career progression and continuous learning opportunities.

HYBRID WORKING ARRANGEMENTS

Insight: 85% of graduates prefer hybrid working arrangements (Grad Connection).

Recommendation: Incorporate hybrid working options into your roles to meet the preferences of young talent.

EFFECTIVE ENGAGEMENT

Insight: Engaging video and written content are effective tools for attracting graduates (Grad Connection).

Recommendation: Use appealing job titles and tailor content to specific disciplines. Craft compelling job ads that resonate with graduates and align with peak student activity periods. Incorporate platforms such as TikTok in your graduate attraction strategy to reach a passive graduate audience.

By integrating these insights and strategies, your council can significantly enhance its approach to attracting and supporting graduates. Addressing their priorities, crafting engaging content and simplifying the application process will create a more effective pathway for young talent to enter the local government workforce.

References:

• Prosple Data on job application trends and graduate priorities.
• Careers at Council Jobs Summit on student concerns and engagement methods.
• Grad Connection Data on graduate priorities and effective program structures.