Ambitious young graduates may take the opportunity of the New Year to review their careers and move on if employers do not provide the right environment warns consultancy Arkadia HR.

Arkadia revealed that towards the end of the academic year organisations of all shapes and sizes invest considerable time and money in recruiting graduates, who they hope will be the future of the business. The best graduates are likely to have had the pick of the jobs and will have been very selective before making their final choice.

Therefore, their expectations, and, importantly, their confidence will be high. These people will not waste time if they are not completely satisfied with the work situation and will leave and take with them the investment the company has made in their training and development as well as their valuable skills and potential, perhaps to a competitor.

Dr Roland Tarleton, director of Arkadia HR and a chartered occupational psychologist explained: “The graduate drain is a serious threat for organisations at this time of year. Having invested money in recruitment fairs, the milk round and then sophisticated training programmes, companies cannot afford to let graduates slip through their fingers.

“Many young people choose this time of year to move on because they have had their first taste of the employment market and will have developed a clearer idea of their preferences. Furthermore, with few ties, they are more willing than most to make a major change in their lives.”

To tackle the issue, Arkadia said that organisations needed to be certain they understood the personal motivation of individuals. Equipped with this knowledge, companies are able to hit the hot spots of their key employees, thereby ensuring they stay with the company and remain committed to achieving the business’ goals. (MB)