Over half of UK employers are concerned about the professional conduct of graduate hires, according to new research from the Institute of Student Employers (ISE). As many as 52 per cent of companies reported increasing time spent on professional conduct training and supporting the transition from education to employment.
Growing Recognition of Workplace Norms
The ISE, which represents over 700 UK organisations, said the heightened concern reflects a growing recognition that workplace norms, behaviours, and expectations require more explicit support at entry level. Employers noted low expectations for graduates in adjusting to workplace environments, with many lacking motivation and self-awareness. This has pushed companies to focus on training that develops problem-solving skills, teamwork, and decision-making.
Employer Satisfaction Mixed
While a majority of employers said they were broadly satisfied with new graduates' foundational skills, 35 per cent rated these as below expectations, as reported by The Times. Stephen Isherwood, joint chief executive at ISE, said there are growing concerns over graduates' ability to adapt to professional workplace demands.
"Given the expected changes to entry-level roles, hiring adaptable candidates will remain a priority and likely a persistent challenge," Isherwood said. "More attention is being given to support the transition from education to the workplace during inductions, but these findings reinforce the importance of work experience and embedding these capabilities across the curriculum."
AI Misrepresents Graduate Abilities
The ISE also highlighted that artificial intelligence is making it harder for companies to judge candidates fairly during recruitment. Over a third of employers reported that overuse of AI to tailor applications misrepresents applicants' skills, up from around half in 2025. Isherwood noted that AI will dramatically change the scope of entry-level roles in the future.
