Graduates struggle as major firms reduce job opportunities

A series of regional workshops is being staged by Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, Chelmsford and Peterborough to help graduates who are struggling to find employment in the current downturn.

It is projected that between 35 000 and 40 000 graduates will be unemployed this year as major firms reduce job placements by 28%. This comes at a time when official figures have shown a 281 000 rise in unemployment, the largest quarterly rise on record with the burden falling disproportionately on the young.

The free one-day workshops will cover skills assessment, CVs, applications, job search and networking and give attendees the chance to improve their interview techniques. They have been organised by Anglia Ruskin University's Survive and Thrive team which aims to help businesses and individuals adapt to the radically changed economic conditions. People will leave the workshop with an action plan and signposting to relevant graduate support.

Delivered by a team of careers and employability advisers, the workshops are free to people who have graduated since May 2008 who are currently living in the East of England and are eligible to work in the UK.

The dates of the workshops are as follows:

Thursday 24 September	Cambridge
Wednesday 14 October	Chelmsford
Tuesday 27 October	Peterborough
Thursday 12 November	Cambridge
Wednesday 25 November	Chelmsford
Tuesday 8 December	Peterborough

Further information is available on the Anglia Ruskin website and those interested in booking a place can email or call 0845 196 3177 specifying the date and location of the preferred workshop. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.