The University of Kent is pressing for closer links between universities and businesses as new research reveals the challenges graduates face getting into work and the value employers place on workplace experience.

The Future Jobs Roadmap found seven in ten of 500 employers surveyed would be more likely to recruit graduates if work experience was a mandatory part of their university education Only 35% of employers felt graduates had all the skills they expected.

Kent was one of 13 universities to take part in the graduate skills research project, alongside organisations including HR GO Recruitment, Holiday Extras, HatHats Coffee Company, Macknade, Canterbury BID and the Kent & Medway Economic Partnership. The skills needed by regional employers will be further explored at the Kent and Medway Business Summit on 17 September, hosted by Kent Business School at the University of Kent.

Recognising the challenges faced by both employers and graduates, the University of Kent has launched a guaranteed internship programme for all students, including a minimum two week virtual internship.

James Corbin, Head of Careers, Employability, and Skills at the University of Kent, said: “Employers have been very clear with us: experience matters. The skills you pick up in a workplace – dealing with people, solving problems and adapting when things don’t go to plan – can be just as important when you’re starting your career.

“And this doesn’t have to mean a year-long placement. An internship, even a few days of work shadowing or a live project, can all make a difference, which is why we’re already promising such opportunities for every student at Kent. It is even more encouraging that employers have used this research project to outline that they’re willing to work with us further to provide even more of these opportunities.”

The Roadmap survey found nearly half (47%) of those with vacancies said they found it difficult to consistently recruit for entry-level roles.

Of the 70% who said mandatory work experience would make them more likely to recruit graduates, 79% said they could help provide it.

More than a quarter (26%) of students studying at Kent are from the county, making links with local employers particularly important.

Through the University’s Your Kent Start initiative, students are offered a guaranteed internship, alongside opportunities for placements, employer projects and a year in industry or abroad. Kent is also expanding its degree apprenticeships and developing a new Business Clinic, giving students the chance to work with organisations on real business challenges.

Actuarial Science student and Sanctuary Scholar Aws Khalid spent time with Canterbury accountancy firm Burgess Hodgson this summer after being introduced through the University.

During the placement, he worked with the audit team on client work, including audit testing, preparing workpapers and analysing financial data.

Aws said: “The placement definitely increased my confidence and strengthened skills such as attention to detail, analytical thinking, Excel and working with financial information.

“I was able to contribute to meaningful work rather than simply observing, which made the experience particularly valuable to me.”

The Future Jobs Roadmap is published by Universities UK and Pearson, with support from the British Chambers of Commerce. It draws on discussions with around 200 employers and business groups across the UK, alongside polling of 500 senior employers.

The Kent and Medway Business Summit on 17 September is delivered by the University of Kent in partnership with the Institute of Directors, Federation of Small Businesses and Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce. Now into its ninth year, the Summit brings together businesses, policymakers and regional leaders to discuss the major issues affecting the Kent and Medway economy.

John Parkinson, CEO of HR GO, who took part in Kent’s Future Jobs roundtable and will also attend the Summit, said:

“I think it's a great idea for students to get workplace experience as part of their course. It gives them a chance to put what they're learning into practice, work with potential future colleagues and customers, and understand how a business works.

“Industry involvement can also make the courses better. I'd like to see more opportunities for academics to spend time in industry, and for businesses to contribute guest seminars and real business problems for students to work on in their assignments and projects.”

The University of Kent recently merged with the University of Greenwich to form the London and South East University Group (LASE).

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