Employer hits back over attack on starting salaries

A TOP employer has hit back at claims that graduates are underpaid.

On Saturday the Examiner carried a piece by Kirkheaton woman Sahra Mortimer.

The 25-year-old former Huddersfield University student said she and many of her friends earned far less than the supposed average graduate starting salary of £18,000.

Ms Mortimer, who completed a course in media studies and journalism, also said that many graduates had to settle for jobs outside of their field.

But Boss Computing managing director Abid Ghani believes students need to adapt to the working world.

The Huddersfield-based man said: "As an employer of graduates I believe that Sahra Mortimer's article sums up everything wrong with graduates today."

He believes new graduates need time to become good workers.

Mr Ghani said: "Because graduates have been studying for three years they have little or no actual work skills, meaning employers have to start from scratch on simple things like time- keeping.

"Business has nothing to do with qualifications - it's all about productivity."

Given this, Mr Ghani thinks that graduates should not expect to be earning good money right away.

He said: "When I take someone on I explain that they are a trainee and they have to prove they will benefit my business before they can get a higher salary.

"Instead of getting their heads down, many can't get past the salary issue and work at below par level with a chip on their shoulders until they get fired after six to 12 months."

Mr Ghani thinks that graduates need to change their outlook.

He said: "The best advice I would offer to a graduate is not to take your degree as the only reason for a higher salary.

"Yes, you have proved that you can study and pass exams, but now you have to prove yourself all over again as an employee.

"And you are competing against people of the same age, who have been grafting 9am to 5pm for the previous three years while you have been enjoying the student life.

"Get yourself back in the real world and take any job you can, do part-time evening courses that teach real value skills, pay off your debts, make your employer happy and yourself indispensible, then after a year or so by all means ask for £18,000."