Future of fresh graduates bleak as firms miss campus placements

The State generates nearly four lakh new graduates every year. Besides the delay in campus placement, TNPSC postings would also be delayed as many group exams, which were scheduled from March, have also been deferred. Adding to the woes, last semester exams were also delayed for final year UG students. This will result in further delay in receiving graduate certificates this year.

At present more than 20 major institutions, including 13 State-owned universities and technical training establishments, are functioning to provide higher education to more than 12 lakh students every year.

A senior official from the Higher Education Department told DT Next that between 10 per cent and 15 per cent of fresh graduates will be employed through placement drives in their respective campus.

“With more than 60 per cent UG graduates in the State trying for jobs on their own in various forms, including through Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC), via HR companies and taking up self-employment, only 25 per cent go ahead and pursue PG courses,” he claimed.

E Balagurusamy, the former Vice-Chancellor of Anna University, pointed out that it would be a difficult situation for all engineering students passing out this year. As most of the small and medium scale companies, which generates more employment in the State, have been hit hard due to the lockdown, it will be harder to find jobs immediately.

“Most organisations would skip campus placements this year,” he said, adding “it will take minimum one year to stabilise and get back to the mainstream.”

He suggested that UG students should be patient at this juncture and try to improve their qualification by doing some part-time PG courses until normalcy is restored.

About Arts and Science graduates, Association of University Teachers (AUT) president N Pasupathy said: “Immediately after completing their studies, many students take up jobs due to family circumstances and this year it would be difficult.” Stating that job opportunities for Arts and Science students were fewer compared to graduates with technical education, the professor said that many private colleges will also face problems in attracting companies.

K Shangavi, an HR consultant working in a leading recruitment agency and employment firm in the city, said placement drives were not conducted since March first week.

“With no indication on when the pandemic would be under control, it is unlikely that companies will approach candidates for recruitment till this September,” she said

According to her, IT and its related firms recruit the most freshers (40%), which is followed by automobile manufacturing industries, banking, and financial services besides insurance and retail companies.