Graduate recruitment runs out of steam, says survey

Graduate recruitment runs out of steam, says survey

Graduate recruitment at the largest law firms has slowed significantly, according to recent research.

The survey of 85 firms of varying sizes, but mainly at the top end, including the top 25 practices, found that the average firm had 29 trainee vacancies, a rise of just one from last year.

This compares to a jump from 23 to 28 the previous year.

The slowdown was evident across the legal sector, with the average barristers' chambers offering three pupillages this year compared to four last year.

The survey, by graduate publishers GTI, found that the spiralling salary phenomenon of recent years shows no sign of abating, with the average trainee starting salary rising by 7% to 24,000.

More than half (52%) of firms paid trainees more than 25,000, up from 33% last year and just 4% in 2000.

London firms offered an average of 27,000 compared with 18,000 for firms outside the City.

Almost all firms improved their benefits packages: 80% offered trainees pension schemes and life assurance, up from 65% and 71% respectively last year.

Robert Halton, head of human resources at City firm DLA, said firms in the past had responded in the short term when graduate recruitment was a long-term issue.

He added that turning off the valve of new recruits now would impact on the profession in years to come.

Joanne Street, business manager in the private practice team at recruiters Hays ZMB, said: 'I think it is quite positive that firms have not cut back their recruitment...

they have realised that they need new blood coming into the firm for when the work eventually picks up.'

Salaries and benefits remain high because firms are still competing to recruit the best trainees, she said.

See editorial (see [2002] Gazette, 12 December, 14) and feature (see [2002] Gazette, 12 December, 20)

Victoria MacCallum