[paganel]

> The funny thing is that those left behind don't have an opportunity to get on that gravy train now.

For what is worth, I noticed that also (not in the UK, but somewhere else in Europe). My ex-wife, a psychology major, managed to get hired into a big oil company doing procurement work (yes, they were that desperate at hiring people) around 2005-2006. Of course, in the meantime she has gathered a ton of experience and she'd have no problems whatsoever of picking another similar job at another big company.

For comparison, looking at kids aged 22 to 24 who have just graduated it seems like they're, well, fucked. Nobody will hire them in a big company for lack of work experience and they can't get any experience because nobody wants to hire them.

[potatolicious]

> " looking at kids aged 22 to 24 who have just graduated it seems like they're, well, fucked. Nobody will hire them in a big company for lack of work experience and they can't get any experience because nobody wants to hire them."

IMO this makes a strong case for working with small companies. Big companies are relatively risk averse and will look for external validation of the candidate - certifications, degrees, impressive prior experience, etc.

It's much easier for a young person lacking experience today to approach a small business and successfully pitch them on an internship or some contract work. A large corporation is too hamstrung by HR, by policy, and by its own approval chain, to take advantage of things like this.

[shubb]

Speaking of which, if anyone is reading this from the UK, and has an ~ 18 year old who doesn't want to go to university, BAE are recruiting heavily for apprenticeships. They are very serious about providing a 'university alternative'. I suggest taking a look.