Results from the 2022 Employer Satisfaction Survey, out today, show the overwhelming majority of employers (84.1 per cent) were satisfied with the performance of new graduate employees.

Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson said the results reinforced the vital role universities play in educating highly skilled workers across every sector of the economy.

“University-educated workers make our economy $185 billion bigger than it otherwise would be and more jobs in the future are going to require a university qualification,” Ms Jackson said.

“Our universities do a magnificent job of ensuring graduates have the knowledge and skills to hit the ground running in their chosen profession, not only for their own benefit but the nation’s as well.”

• 93.0 per cent employer satisfaction with foundation skills – general literacy, numeracy and communication skills and the ability to investigate and integrate knowledge.
• 92.7 per cent employer satisfaction with technical skills – application of professional and technical knowledge and standards.
• 90.1 per cent employer satisfaction with adaptive skills – the ability to adapt and apply skills/knowledge and work independently.
• 88.2 per cent employer satisfaction with collaborative skills – teamwork and interpersonal skills.
• 86.8 per cent employer satisfaction with employability skills – the ability to perform and innovate in the workplace.

“This shows that graduates are joining the workforce with the full suite of skills to have an immediate impact, including in areas of skill shortages,” Ms Jackson said.

“The knowledge and skills taught in universities will be relied on more heavily in the coming decades as Australia navigates geopolitical, economic and industrial challenges and opportunities.

“We’ll work closely with government to ensure universities have everything they need to do the job.”