The 1990s ended on a high note for graduate employment. Figures released by the Higher Education Authority show that nearly 60 per cent of third-level graduates were in employment less than a year after completing their studies.

And of those at work, 86 per cent were employed in Ireland. The proportion of graduates securing work overseas is the lowest since the HEA surveys began almost 20 years ago.

The HEA survey is essentially a snapshot of where the graduates of 1998 were on April 30th, 1999, six to nine months after they left college. Some 2.4 per cent of graduates were seeking work, an increase of 0.3 per cent on the previous year's figures. These figures include graduates with certificates, diplomas, degrees and postgraduate qualifications.

Looking at graduates with primary degrees, 60 per cent gained employment while 15 per cent went on to further study or training. Only 2.1 per cent were looking for work on the date of the survey.

The pattern is somewhat different at certificate and diploma level, as might be expected, with a substantially higher proportion of students continuing their studies. One third of certificate graduates were working in April 1999; 2 per cent were seeking employment and 62.5 per cent were engaged in further study. This is a good illustration of the "ladder of opportunity" which allows students who reach a certain grade in their certificate to continue their studies to diploma level.

And, at diploma level, 48 per cent of graduates were continuing their studies, presumably to degree. A further 46 per cent were in employment with 2.4 per cent seeking work.

All of the evidence is that the longer you stay in education the more likely it is that you will find work and the better paid that work is likely to be. Almost half of all primary degree graduates earned between £11,000 and £18,999, with 9.6 per cent earning more. At higher degree level, 23.7 per cent were earning more than £19,000.

At national certificate level, just over two-thirds of graduates were earning between £7,000 and £14,999. Only 2.7 per cent were earning more than £19,000. At diploma level, 63 per cent of graduates were earning between £9,000 and £16,999, with 7.5 per cent earning more than £19,000.

Of course, the employment picture as well as the salary scales vary across faculties; jobs in the areas with skills shortages have seen rises in both earnings and employment rates.