SCIENCE GRADUATES IN DEMAND
With far fewer students choosing to take Science at A level compared to 15 years ago, a potential skills shortage in the science and pharmaceutical sector is fuelling demand now for science graduates in the workplace.
The science and pharmaceutical sector in the East Midlands is one that is expanding and competing in both national and international markets and requires increased graduate numbers for its successful, long term future.
Despite many graduates being attracted to the larger, corporate organisations, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are also a core source of employment for thousands of suitable graduates.
Attracting graduate talent into the SME sector has benefits for both employer and employee. One SME that understands the contribution graduates can make to a business is JPEN Medical. The business has recently created and filled 6 new graduate positions using the specialist recruitment service HotProspects.
The Derbyshire based company is the UK’s only independent in-surgery equipment testing and calibration service and it was set up in 2004, when Managing Director, Jonathan Patrick identified a gap in the sector market.
JPen Medical sends qualified engineers direct to GP surgeries and hospitals throughout England and Wales to test and calibrate diagnostic equipment. It tests equipment such as blood pressure monitors, ECGs, defibrillators and vaccine storage refrigerators.
Graduates employees have become essential to the business. Jonathan Patrick explains: “Often they come with new ideas and a fresh way of thinking. We do not have a policy to specifically support local graduates, but if we can help to keep graduate talent in the region by employing them, then we will do so.”
JPen used HotProspects, the East Midlands Graduate Recruitment Service, to recruit the 6 graduates into engineering roles. HotProspects was set up in June 2006, with the support of the East Midlands Development Agency (emda) to tackle the low level of graduate retention in the East Midlands
Jonathan believes that HotProspects offers an excellent route to graduate recruitment having previously used the local job centre to source graduates. “Using HotProspects meant we gained access to a new pool of graduates that we previously may not have reached.”
Jonathan continued: “The organisation needs to employ graduates, as they have the necessary knowledge for the roles – graduates need to have a background in either physical science or engineering. As well as a degree in a relevant subject, I prefer graduates to have some work experience; not necessarily industry experience, just some experience of the working world.”
He believes that work experience creates skills that can be transferred to a career in the science and pharmaceutical sector. “One of our graduates came with work experience from a major supermarket. Although you may not necessarily associate working at a supermarket as relevant work experience, skills such as customer service, time management, and the ability to manage oneself are all transferable.”
Jonathan feels that to keep graduate talent in the region, businesses need to be doing more to promote themselves to graduates.
Jonathan believes that science graduates may not be aware of all the options that are available to them. “There are so many opportunities out there for graduates who wish to work in the science and pharmaceutical sector. Graduates who are willing to work hard and show enthusiasm are always in demand. The variety of roles is enormous, just because a graduate did his or her degree in a science subject, it does not have to mean they will spend the rest of their days wearing a white coat in a laboratory!”
Jonathan also believes that the East Midlands is a great place for graduates starting out on the career ladder: “Salary levels are good, as is the cost of living, which results in graduates getting more for the money that they earn, resulting in a great quality of life, and even presenting an early opportunity to take a step onto the property ladder,” he said.
“There has been a dynamic growth in the East Midlands economy, with opportunities for graduates flourishing. Now is a great time for graduates to stay in the region and make the most of those opportunities.”
More Case Studies
- BUILDING FOUNDATIONS FOR A CAREER IN CONSTRUCTION
- ENGINEERING A JOB WITH AN SME
- GRADUATES: A KEY INGREDIENT FOR THE FOOD & DRINKS INDUSTRY
- GRADUATES HUNGRY FOR SUCCESS HEAD TO THE EAST MIDS!
- TRANSPORTING GRADUATES INTO THE WORLD OF WORK
- A HATRICK FOR TOWER HEALTH
- TWO IN A ROW FOR AN EXPANDING TEAM
- HOTPROSPECTS DOES A JOB IN HOURS!
- A FIRST CANDIDATE IS A SUCCESS STORY
- HOTPROSPECTS GOES GLOBAL
