Graduate employment in the Thames Valley

In this section, we will look at the key industries in the Thames Valley and their importance in terms of graduate employment. We will also explore what types of jobs graduates hold and how important their qualification was to their employment. It will encourage you to think about in what sectors there are employment opportunities and the relevance of a higher education qualification.

The following are key industries in Thames Valley:

  • Public administration
  • Health
  • Education
  • Banking finance and insurance
  • Distribution
  • Hotels and restaurants
  • Transport
  • Retail
  • Communication
  • Scientific and market research

These sectors cover two thirds of graduate employment within Thames Valley with the most important being: Health; Education (especially in Oxfordshire); and Retail.

So, what types of jobs do graduates hold?

Not surprisingly, most graduates in retail and hotels and accommodation work in non-graduates jobs classified as Sales or Rlementary occupations, whilst over 70% of graduates in Public Administration, Health and Communication are employed in graduate jobs.

In 2009/10, the most frequently reported occupations for UK graduates in the key sectors were:

  • Public Administration and Defence: 16% of all graduates work in this sector as Public service professionals
  • Health: 33% of all graduates work in the health sector as Health professionals and 39% of Health associate professionals
  • Education: 55% of graduates work in this sector as Teaching professionals and 22% in Caring personal service occupations (e.g. Classroom helper, Education care officer)
  • Banking finance and insurance: 30% of graduates work as Business and finance associate professionals, 15% in Administrative occupations and 10% as Business and statistical professionals
  • Hotels and restaurants: 14% of graduates work as Managers and proprietors in hospitality and leisure services and 61% in Elementary administration and service occupations
  • Transport and distribution: 21% of gradautes work in Leisure and other personal service occupations, 14% in Elementary administration and service occupations  and 10% in Administrative occupations
  • Retail: 54% of all graduates working in the retail sector work in Sales occupations.
  • Communication: 30% of graduates work as Information and communication technology professionals and 14% as Sales and related associate professionals
  • Scientific and Market Research: 40% of gradautes work in Sales and related associate professionals, 5% as Functional managers  and 8% as Research professionals

 Do you need a degree to work in a particular sector?

The following table shows whether a degree qualification was a formal requirement to work in a particular sector, whether it was expected or an advantage. For example, graduates of Biological sciences, 30.9% stated that the degree was formally required for their job, 41.8 % the degree was just required, and 25.8 % of all Biology graduates said that it was an advantage for the job.

Find out more about employment opportunities in a particular sector by looking at the Prospects website. It has career guides for a range of sectors, which include information on employment prospects, jobs, relevant courses and where to find out more.