Promoting employability and student development Dr Gavin McCabe

THE EMPLOYABILITY AND GRADUATE ATTRIBUTES ECOSYSTEM

Academia Self reflection Graduate Attributes (attitudes, skills, abilities) Learning (personal, professional, disciplinary) CurricularCo-curricularExtra-curricular Student Outcomes Strengthen by: Experiences Responsibility: Shapes our Academic Ability EmployabilityCitizenship Society Work & Career University Deployed in:

Key features Two types of attribute – attitudes and skills / abilities Recognising and valuing difference – disciplinary and individual Local relevance – HEI ethos, aspirations and local market Academia Self reflection Graduate Attributes Learning Curricular Co- curricular Extra- curricular Academic Ability EmployabilityCitizenship Society Work & Career University Student Embedding Full range of provision Building into quality assurance and enhancement processes Motivations Explicit value of the Edinburgh experience Coherent structure to consider & enhance students’ experiences

Employability Self reflection Graduate Attributes Learning Curricular Co- curricular Extra- curricular Work & Career University

Employability Self reflection Graduate Attributes Learning Curricular Co- curricular Extra- curricular Work & Career University Curricular Intrinsic to high quality L&T – no conflict Diversity L&T practices as all impact GA –Assessment: essays, group exercises, reflective writing, business reports –WBL: instrumental but challenge of scale; acquiring and using –WRL: use to support similar development (case studies, industry examples, team projects) GA: implicit  explicit Professional / industry requirements In-course sessions

Employability Self reflection Graduate Attributes Learning Curricular Co- curricular Extra- curricular Work & Career University Co-/Extra- curricular Increasing number, range and take-up –representation, clubs & societies, peer support, student journalism Support to make the most of the opportunity –reflection resources & sessions (surface learning and GA, how to use) –Edinburgh Award Careers Service –central and local workshops, guidance, information Launch.ed –entrepreneurial & enterprise support (assess ideas, business start-up)

Employability Self reflection Graduate Attributes Learning Curricular Co- curricular Extra- curricular Work & Career University Self reflection Supported through: individual resources –activity-specific –collective experience (surfacing and taking ownership of GA and learning) Personal Tutor central & local workshops careers guidance (1-1 and group) Edinburgh Award (co- and extra-curricular)

Employability Self reflection Graduate Attributes Learning Curricular Co- curricular Extra- curricular Work & Career University Making it happen Institutional oversight, initiation and support –policy & strategy –staff capacity development –resource development Local implementation & expertise –academic units –central support services

Student-Employability Employer Forum Wider University Employability Strategy Group Employability Consultancy University Strategic Plan

THE EDINBURGH AWARD

The problem Context: Universities recognise and encourage students’ academic achievement through awarding a degree. If so: How does a university recognise, encourage and support activities beyond the academic degree that it also believes are important?

Finding the (partial) solution The Edinburgh Award: Strategic enhancement project, piloted 2011/12 and now mainstreamed Aim: Support and provide formal recognition for student achievement outside formal studies/research Constraints: scalable yet resource-light

Our approach A supported process that wraps around students’ involvement in co- and extra- curricular activities Common centralised framework with tailored versions run by staff across the University Rapid growth with limited resource

Student activity Aspiring identifying & planning for excellence Developing progress & development challenges & revised plans Owning capturing & solidifying development looking to the future Validation Focus: working towards excellence applying learning between different situations maximising impact

Types of activity Work Experience Volunteering Media Global Citizenship Summer Internships Sports Union Club Management Peer-assisted Learning Career Development Peer Support Student Representation Student Staff Advice Place Volunteers Legal Placements Resident Assistants Student Ambassadors Widening Participation …and more

Success factors Design –Establishing a scalable resource model from the outset –Ensuring accessibility and interest to the widest range of students and staff possible Connections –Aligning and building strong links with a range of University projects, strategies and organisations Enhancement mechanism –Using to enhance other institutional provision and initiatives

Dr Gavin McCabe