The World Cup has finally arrived on African shores and as we all trust that it will bring an upturn in our local economy. According to the SAGRA (South African Graduate Recruiters Association) Recruitment Survey 2010 leading graduate employers all said that in 2011 they expect to increase their number of vacancies by 17%.

The Survey, which was conducted in April 2010, is based on responses from 70 of the largest and most well known graduate employers in South Africa. It provides good news for university students as vacancies for those graduating this summer look set to rise despite difficult economic conditions.

Nine of the twelve industries that are tracked will see an increase in graduate vacancies for 2011 with one of the largest recruiters of graduates – the accountancy and professional services industry – set for an 18 per cent increase in graduate positions. Commercial or retail banks will also see a significant increase in graduate vacancies for 2011.

The research will also alleviate some graduates’ fears over starting salaries – nearly two-thirds of employers expect a ‘cost of living’ increase to graduate salaries and no organisation in the survey is planning to reduce graduate salaries moving into 2011.

gradzone is a SAGRA member.

To see more results from the Survey please visit the SAGRA website.