A recent study conducted by Hult International Business School and Workplace Intelligence revealed that in the face of widespread talent shortages, employers are more inclined to hire robots or Artificial Intelligence (AI) rather than recent graduates. The study, which surveyed 800 human resources leaders and 800 recent graduates in various business roles, highlighted the challenges faced by organizations in finding suitable talent, with 98% of HR leaders admitting to struggling in this area.
Despite the talent shortages, a staggering 89% of HR leaders stated that they tend to avoid hiring recent graduates. When probed further, hiring managers cited reasons such as lack of real-world experience, global mindset, teamwork skills, relevant skill sets, and proper business etiquette as deterrents to hiring recent grads.
Interestingly, three out of 10 HR leaders indicated that they would prefer to leave a position unfilled rather than hire a recent graduate. Additionally, 37% of respondents expressed a preference for utilizing robots or AI for the job, while 45% leaned towards hiring freelancers.
For recent graduates who managed to secure jobs, the experience proved to be invaluable. A majority of them reported learning more in six months on the job than in four years of undergraduate education, with 87% acknowledging their employer’s superior job training compared to college.
The survey highlighted a significant gap between the skills possessed by recent graduates and those sought after by HR leaders. With technology skills, particularly in AI, data analytics, and IT, being deemed essential by 97% of HR leaders, only 20% of recent graduates are equipped with these skills.
Dan Schawbel of Workplace Intelligence emphasized the need for educational programs to adapt to the demands of the modern workforce. He stressed the importance of providing students with practical skills and a mindset geared towards continuous learning.
In conclusion, the study underlines the evolving landscape of the job market and the imperative for both educational institutions and graduates to embrace technological advancements and develop the necessary skills to thrive in a rapidly changing work environment.
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