ASIAN graduates are twice as likely to end up unemployed as other students.

The findings come in a major study of Asian students carried out by the Indian Workers' Association in Blackburn and sponsored by the East Lancashire training and Enterprise Council.

It found that one in four Asian graduates, compared to one in ten of all graduates in the UK, are unemployed.

The results follow another survey carried out by the GMB union which found that Asians were twice as likely to be unemployed than their white counterparts, blaming inequalities in the labour market for the situation.

But according to the new survey, the most likely cause of East Lancashire Asian students experiencing higher levels of unemployment is that they limit their options when completing higher education. Disillusionment, frustration and lack of success with job hunting were the main problems encountered by those questioned. Thirty per cent said they sent out many applications but did not get interviews.

The study authors want the problem addressed immediately in a bid to preserve the Asian community's high regard and historic values it places on education.

More than two-thirds of employed graduates questioned are in work directly relevant to their studies.

The family play the greatest part in influencing young Asians to go on to further education, yet careers officers and teachers fail to make an impact.

Law, journalism, social care and teaching were given as subjects most want to pursue.

The report says there is now an urgent need for an impartial advice service for Asians to help them make the right education choices.

The findings, called The Asian Graduate Experience, will be officially launched by Lancashire County Council leader Louise Ellman next Monday at a presentation attended by representatives from all local training, education and career agencies.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.