The Scottish Government

Title

Positive destinations of graduates.

National Indicator/Target

Increase in percentage of graduates in positive destinations.

Brief Description

Percentage of Scottish domiciled graduates from Scottish Higher Education Institutions that are in "graduate level jobs" (Elias & Purcell definition) in Scotland or in continued study 3 1/2 years after graduating.

This measure captures how graduates of Scottish HEIs meet the demands of employers for highly qualified labour in Scotland. The indicator also captures the extent to which Scottish employers offer sufficient opportunities to Scottish graduates to fulfil their aspirations in Scotland.

The data have been collected for the first time this year, relating to graduates in the academic year 2002-03 (Destinations of Leavers of Higher Education, Longitudinal Survey - Higher Education Statistics Agency); it is intended to collect the information every second year.

Strategic Objective(s) to Which Indicator Relates

This indicator informs progress in relation to the Smarter Strategic Objective.

More Detailed Definitions

Definitions of Keywords

Positive destinations: In graduate level occupations as defined in the report: Elias & Purcell SOC ( HE) A Classification of occupations for studying the graduate labour market (Institute for Employment Research, Warwick) or studying on 27 November 2006, approximately 3 1/2 years after graduating.

Graduates: students with a Scottish pre-study address, obtaining a qualification at postgraduate or first degree level from a Scottish Higher Education Institution (excluding the Open University) during the academic year 2002-03.

Percentages are calculated excluding refusals and excluding those who did not give sufficient detail of location or occupation (currently 21%).

Evidence Source

Scottish Government analysis of data underlying the report Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Longitudinal Survey, Higher Education Statistics Agency 2007; www.hesa.ac.uk

Baseline and Past Trends

This is the first time the data have been collected; currently, relating to the activity on 27 November 2006 of those graduating in 2002-03. The baseline value for 2006 is 70%.

Methodology

Tabulation of specified codes from the survey; estimated 95% confidence interval: +/- 2.7%. Survey response rate: around 40%.

Data Ownership and Quality Assurance

National statistics status not currently sought; data owned by HESA on behalf of UK funding bodies and government departments.

Publication of Data

HESA website www.hesa.ac.uk/publications

Technical representatives from the four Funding Councils have agreed to undertake a second survey and budgets are currently being assembled. Although based on a UK survey the data necessary for the indicator could, if that should become necessary, be collected by the Scottish Government.