Employers who want to attract the best candidates should consider what their company offers in terms of training and development.

A recent survey by KPMG revealed that 43 per cent of students believe the standard of training available at a company was more important than job security, voted for by just 28 per cent of people.

Salary was only considered important by 11 per cent of those questioned and KPMG has suggested that the results indicate students are taking a longer-term view of their careers.

Commenting on the results, Ruth Elwood, head of recruitment at KPMG, said: "Clearly the recession is making [students] think about their long-term prospects, not just their first job.

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"Employers need to take account of this – the economic downturn could have caused a long-lasting shift in student attitudes.”

Ruth Spellman, chief executive of the Chartered Management Institute, recently advised companies they should not cut back on employee training.