Almost a third of graduate recruiters are planning to recruit more graduates next year than in 2009, according to research from Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR).

Its poll of members also shows that most employers have either met or expect to meet their graduate recruitment targets for 2009, while 76.4% expect their graduate recruitment targets to increase or at least stay the same in 2010.

Carl Gilleard, chief executive of the AGR, says: “The results of the latest snapshot poll are not only encouraging for graduates but might also suggest that British business is seeing the light at the end of this economic downturn. The fact that most employers expect to have an active presence on campuses this year and are maintaining or raising their graduate recruitment targets shows an understanding of how important investment in attracting new talent is to the future of their businesses, even during tougher times economic times.”