New sector briefings launched by AGCAS

Booklets aim to help graduates make informed career choices

The first 10 titles in a new series of Sector Briefing booklets, designed to give students and graduates an overview of key employment sectors, have been launched by AGCAS, the Association of Graduates Careers Advisory Services.

Developed to fill a gap in sectoral labour market information identified by students, Careers Services and employers, the sectors chosen tie in with the Governmentís agenda as all of the trailblazer Sector Skills Councils are represented. These are sectors of importance to the UK economy in which particular issues have been identified, including in many cases, skills shortages.

Content for each Sector Briefing includes current issues, European and global perspective, imminent changes, labour market information relevant to graduates, major employers, possible career paths and practical advice such as relevant organisations to contact, websites and publications.

Margaret Dane, chief executive of AGCAS, comments:

ìAs well as providing a good overview of each sector, the booklets also attempt to convey the culture of a particular sector which can help students and graduates to decide whether they would be suited to it. Initial feedback has been very positive and there are a further 13 in progress which should be published in September.î

The Sector Briefings are all being researched and written by AGCAS members, who are professionals working in HE Careers Services, and will be updated every two years. In addition to the paper copies, available to students through Careers Services, the content is also available on Prospects.ac.uk, the national graduate careers website.

Sectors covered by the first 10 booklets are:

Broadcast, film, video and interactive media
Environmental, food chain and rural
Fashion and textile
Health
Information technology
Local, regional and national government
Oil, gas and petroleum
Retail
Tourism
Voluntary