Just the job for chemical engineers

The chemical industry is set to recruit more first-degree chemical engineering graduates than chemists for the third year in succession, according to the latest graduate recruitment survey from the Chemical Industries Association. The total number of graduates recruited is also set to increase, the survey suggests.

CIA members responding to the survey expect to recruit 305 graduates in 1997, an 8 per cent increase on last year. In total, chemists constitute the largest group of graduates, followed by chemical engineers. However, the vast majority of chemist recruits are postgraduate, whereas there are twice as many first-degree graduates as chemists (see table).

Demand is growing for other graduates, especially from electronics, computing or software, instrumentation, control and mechanical engineering. Companies also expected that the class of degree obtained and the university attended would become increasingly important.

The survey confirms a growing trend in the chemical industry for employing people on short term or fixed contracts. A large minority of companies reported instituting this policy, either so that they could offer new recruits an extended assessment period before offering them a permanent position, or to solve peak work demands. However, most respondents still prefer permanent contracts, as they say this increases their chances of recouping training investment and keeping their staff.