UL Careers Early Careers Employer Survey 2026

Contents

ontents me Contents elcome

Executive Summary...........................................................................5

3 4 5 6 8

6 8 9

Insights from Higher Education Careers Experts............................6

sation Type ganisation Type

sation Location ganisation Location

Sectors Surveyed ..............................................................................8

s Surveyed Placement ctors Surveyed ork Placement

10 12 16 17 18 19 20 22 24 26 27 28 32 36 40 44

Work Placement & Summer Internships ..........................................10

ate Recruitment aduate Recruitment

12 13 14 15

Graduate Hiring Confidence & Sentiment ......................................16

on of Graduate Vacancies er of Graduate Vacancies cation of Graduate Vacancies mber of Graduate Vacancies

The Use of AI in Early Careers Recruitment ...................................24

ment Level ate Salaries hould Apply? cruitment Level aduate Salaries o Should Apply?

Graduate Recruitment - Application, Selection & Pre-Offer Processes .....................................................29

18 20 22 26 28 29

plication & Selection Pro cess

21

Graduate Salaries & Benefits ...........................................................45

ation & Selection Process ate Recruitment Challenges aduate Recruitment Challenges

Graduate Integration & Workplace Expectations ...........................52

Early Career Skills in Demand ..........................................................56

Technical Skills obal Technical Skills

Top Motivational Factors for Students ...........................................58

What Employers look for in Graduates ...........................................60

Analysis ruction

cial and InsuranceActivities mation and Communication ss more detailed and relevant data for your industry, scan the QR Code with your smartphone or tablet. direct you to a website where you can download charts, and graphs that will help you understand the trends and opportunities for your business. Scan the QR code to access detailed sector reports, charts and additional insights. facturing ssional, Scientific &TechnicalActivities

Note on Data Presentation: Percentages shown throughout this publication may

not always total exactly 100% due to rounding. In addition, some charts and figures are based on multi-select questions, where respondents could choose more than one option, meaning totals may exceed or fall below 100%.

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