Click to edit Master subtitle style AGCAS Biennial Conference 2009 Measuring Employability Using the CareerEDGE Employability Development Profile Dr Peter Sewell and Lorraine Dacre Pool University of Central Lancashire Futures – Centre for Employability

Background to the CareerEDGE model of graduate employability  The need for a coherent, practical model of graduate employability.  Something that could be understood by students, academic staff, careers practitioners, employers and parents.

Definition of graduate employability ‘Employability is having a set of skills, knowledge, understanding and personal attributes that make a person more likely to choose and secure occupations in which they can be satisfied and successful.’ (Dacre Pool & Sewell, 2007)

The CareerEDGE Model of Graduate Employability

The CareerEDGE Employability Development Profile (EDP)  Two existing measures available  Measure of Guidance Impact (Christophers et al,1993).  My Vocational Situation (Holland et al, 1980)  The EDP  A framework for discussions about employability with students.  Personal Tutors  Careers Guidance Practitioners  Academic Tutors  Evaluating employability interventions.

Using the EDP Have a go at completing the EDP yourself.

Using the EDP In small groups, have a discussion about any courses, modules or other activities that you are involved in where you could see a possible use for the EDP.

Current uses for the EDP  Careers Guidance Interviews  Planning Your Career elective module  Tyn Dwr (outdoor education)  UCLan Futures Award  International projects

Some initial research findings ‘I have found the EDP really useful to use with students in both seminars and individual guidance. Many students assume that employability is just about developing the skills employers look for, which is one key element, but the CareerEDGE model really highlights the different components and the EDP then helps students to pin point where their strengths and development needs lie.’ Helen Jeffrey, Careers Adviser, UCLan

More initial research findings  Planning Your Career elective module.  Students found it helpful and now use it to assist them with the assessment part of the module.  Highly statistically significant improvements in the Career Development Learning section (as one would hope for!)  No significant changes on other sections (as would be predicted) other than the item about articulating value of work experience to a potential employer.

International Applications  Shanghai Institute of Foreign Trade (SIFT) project.  Interested in developing a version in Chinese.  Future Skills in Biotechnology – Pan European EU Funded Project.  Have decided to use the CareerEDGE model and the EDP to help with the development of ‘soft skills’ in Biotechnology students and graduates. Translations into German and Polish planned.

Thank you for listening  For further information, please contact us at UCLan, Futures.  Peter Sewell  Lorraine Dacre Pool )