Brig, November 2011
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November 2011 Degree not passport to employment hard and live under lower conditions or Meray Diner even return to their parents’ house until things get better in this recession. There isn’t too much the Scottish Government raduates are likely to take up can do apart from encouraging the busi- internships or fall into a low- nesses to employ more young people.” skilled jobs instead of entering Cesar Diaz works in software engi- Gemployment in their subject neering testing at SigmaSeven, which area, a Stirling scholar has warned. provides information mobilization and David Bell, a Professor of Econom- map management systems. He gradu- ics at the University of Stirling, found ated with a Masters of Business Admin- that young people are struggling to find istration (MBA) from the University of a job in the current labour market and Stirling last year. He said, “I have ap- internships after graduation are becom- plied to around 15 different jobs related ing more popular. Graduates who need to my masters degree but I wasn’t able to earn money after completing their to get these positions. Therefore, I have degree are taking jobs below their skill started to look into something related to level and less qualified young people are my degree and tried to gain experience. getting squeezed out of the job market. Another graduate who could not enter The latest statistics show 70 per cent of employment straight away is Stuart Mc- Stirling graduates were in work, full or kenzie who graduated from the Univer- part time, six months after graduation. sity in 2010 with a Philosophy degree. However, this figure does not mean that He said, “There were not many chances all of these students went into degree- around Stirling for graduate jobs during related jobs. my job hunting.” He tried to go into a Among 1,217 graduates in 2010, 678 graduate programme in the civil service (56%) went into graduate jobs and 215 to become a diplomat, but found it dif- (18%) were recorded to be unemployed. ficult to enter. After taking a work train- The rest went into labour jobs. ing programme he got a job at an out- Bell said that the current situation sourcing company in customer services. resembles the recession in the 1980s. “The young generation is going to work continues on page 2 Graduates are unlikely to enter degree-related jobs Picture: Rajmund Bakonyi Sad academia, biggest strike, no teaching, happy students reason for the University’s staff to strike. that as many as three million people will gotiating Committee (JNC) meetings to obliged to exercise my casting vote on Zsuzsanna Matyak Some of the teaching staff will refuse to go on strike on the last day of November prevent the committee from being able proposals which I believe will help to News Editor hold classes. However, as yet, it is un- across the UK. able to pass the vote in favour of the ensure the long-term sustainability of known who those lecturers and tutors The pension row across higher edu- changes. It was clear that the independ- USS.” eaching will be affected at the will be. cation entered a new phase when UCU ent chairman would vote for the changes A UCU Stirling spokesperson said, University of Stirling by “the Mark Serwotka, the General Secretary called for “sustained industrial action” that would mean 50 per cent, plus one “The changes are that we contribute biggest strike for a long time” for Public and Commercial Services Un- last month. From 10 October, staff are vote for the alterations. The committee more, they contribute less and at the end Twhen the University and Col- ion (PCS), suggested that it is possible “working to contract”. This means re- is made up of 50 per cent management of the day the pension scheme pays out lege Union (UCU), the main union for fusing to work longer hours than stated and 50 per cent teaching staff, plus the a lot less. It has a drastic affect, particu- pre-1992 universities, hand-in-hand UCU repre- in their contract, attendance of non- chairman. larly on people who are just starting off. with numerous public sector unions, sentives and obligatory meetings or covering for col- Sir Andrew Cubie, the independent They could lose hundreds of thousands will go on a national strike on 30 No- politicians leagues. chairman of the JNC said, “Whilst I was of pounds if they stay in the university vember. fought The move comes after the changes pleased that the meeting was once again system until they retire.” against the Most of the academic and admin staff came into effect on 1 October, as the quorate, I was deeply disappointed that Another major change is that staff can changes in are part of the Universities Superannua- last March University management proposed legal the employers and UCU were not able to be made redundant easier. Until now, tion Scheme (USS), which has recently action. This was because union mem- reach agreement on these important is- been substantially changed, giving the Picture: Rajmund Bakonyi bers refused to attend the USS Joint Ne- sues. In these circumstances I was again continues on page 4 HOT CLUB OF COWTOWN / SUN 20 NOV THE TWILIGHT SAD / FRI 25 NOV RELOADED: ROD JONES’ THE BIRTHDAY SUIT / SAT 26 NOV RODDY WOOMBLE’S CHRISTMAS HOOTENANNY / FRI 16 DEC 2 Brig | November 2011 www.brignewspaper.com Brig News Editors: Graham Swann, Ailsa Stokes, Editorial Aya Kawanishi & Zsuzsanna Matyak News Email: [email protected] To get in touch with a sec- tion, email section and @ Degree not lead to job brignewspaper.com i.e. [email protected] continued from page 1 Little short life of Scottish To tackle the increasing youth unem- Editor in Chief ployment rate, some national projects Iain Blackwood have been launched involving Stirling. Editor@ One of them is the Scottish Govern- children made better ment’s new Young Scots Fund which Deputy Editors was initiated to support young people, Daniel Nunan aged 15-22, in activities that allow them Aya Kawanishi to flourish within the creative indus- News Editor Jeremy Watssman tries. It is in partnership with Stirling Council and is contributing £3million News Editors towards a new National Conservation hildren with life-shortening Graham Swann Centre which will host the activities in conditions in Scotland could Aya Kawanishi Stirling and Forth Valley College. benefit from resources spawned as a result of a £30 million gov- Zsuzsanna Matyak A spokesperson for Stirling Council C ernment funding programme south of Ailsa Stokes said, “It will focus on reviving scarce technical skills and promoting best the border, according to a Stirling re- practice in conservation. In addition, a search group. Politics Editors brand new stone masonry training fa- Together for Short Lives, a charity of- Elsa Andre cility will be created at the new Kildean fering quality care and support for life- Colm Currie campus at Forth Valley College, opening shortened children and their families, in August 2012.” defines palliative care as an active and Features Editors Finance Secretary John Swinney said, total approach to care, from the point of “We continue to tackle youth unem- diagnosis or recognition throughout the Anna Jordon child’s life, death and beyond. Catriona McGale ployment and we are now supporting 25,000 modern apprenticeships a year, The programme announced by the the highest ever number in Scotland, Department of Health (England) made Music Editors giving young people new skills to enter £30 million available for organisations Ross Dunn the workforce. To tackle areas with the to fund projects that would improve the Andy McDonald highest levels of unemployment, Skills lives of children in palliative care. As a Development Scotland has realigned result, 36 per cent of all projects south of Film Editors its pre-employment programmes to en- the border produced such resources that sure our employability initiatives can could be used in Scotland. Laura Muir For example, one of the grant holders, Stefanie Pryke respond effectively to local labour mar- kets.” Alder Hay Children’s hospital, devel- oped a master formulary for paediatric Arts Editors palliative medicine, meaning that med- Christopher Smail “the economy is still ics will have a “guidebook” for serving Catriona Keddie prescriptions and children will receive struggling and com- safer and appropriate medicinal care Opinion Editors based on high quality research evidence. petition for all jobs “Essentially, this is a guidebook for David Devereux remains stiff” doctors for prescribing medicines to Simon Ewing this very specific group of children and Antonia Kelly, from Skills Develop- young people,” said Dr Liz Forbat of Game & Tech Editor ment Scotland, evaluated the job market Stirling University, the lead author of Jamie Wright in Stirling. “The Scottish Government the Review and Analysis of the Depart- predicts that the key industry growth ment of Health (England) £30 Million Food Editor sectors are creative industries, energy, Funding Programme for Children’s Pal- Victoria Pease financial and business services, food and liative Care. drink, life sciences and tourism. There “This means that children in Scotland who are approaching the end of life will Fashion Editor are some obvious examples of these in have better controlled symptoms, which Children in palliative care will have better quality of life as a Nicola Smith Stirling, such as the Innovation Park and a thriving tourism sector.” is good news for the child and their fam- result of the various projects funded by the government ily.” Jo Speed, from the University’s Ca- Pictures: Together for Short Lives Sports Editors reer Development Centre, also said that Another project brought influence Scott Lorimer over the education sector across the UK.