Using the HEAR as a tool to support Ulster’s Employability Award Dr Sharon Milner University of Ulster CRA, 21 st -22 nd Nov 2013

Agenda  Background  The HEAR at Ulster  The EDGE Award  Challenges in implementing EDGE  Successes  Lessons learnt

Background  Government Policy  Institutional Drivers – Corporate Plan, Learning & Teaching strategy  HEAR pilot group  Over 67 institutions have some type of employability award

What does Ulster want our students to achieve? Ulster Graduate Qualities: subject-specific knowledge and skills informed by current research and professional/vocational practice flexibility, creativity and an entrepreneurial approach to problem solving self-confidence, global citizenship, ethical leadership, and a commitment to life-wide learning, professionalism and employability effective collaborative working, communication skills and the capacity for reflective practice, including the ability to give and receive feedback

What is the HEAR?… The HEAR is designed as a record of student achievement which also meets the purposes of the Diploma Supplement. It will serve two functions through the consistent use of a single consistent process: 1. as a formal, exit document, made available at the point of graduation from undergraduate study, at whatever level that may be. 2. as a formative document which may be available and used from the point of a student’s entry to HE onwards throughout their HE experience

The HEAR at Ulster - Electronic and verifiable - Available throughout the student degree programme - Capture student records from Banner - Validate extracurricular activities - Available for full-time undergrads - Can be viewed by staff - Can be printed and shared with employers

Ulster HEAR Team Ulster HEAR Project Team Decide on the structure of the HEAR and associated database HEAR Activities Approval Group Approve activities for inclusion in 6.1 of the HEAR

HEAR 6.1 Protocols  The achievement is verifiable and endorsed by the University.  The opportunity to undertake the achievement is open to all students, in principle.  Information is presented factually, not opinion-based.  The role/achievement/outcome is defined by regulation (e.g. prizes, sabbatical officer).  The role/achievement/position supports a University process and is verifiable.  The achievement/role supports wider University policy and strategy.

What is the Ulster Edge Award?  Employability initiative launched Sept 2011  Open to full-time undergrad students  Provides official recognition and evidence for activities outside students programme of study  Taken in addition to degree  Has no impact on 360 points  It is free to participate in  Students have the length of their degree programme to complete the award.  It is awarded at graduation

How to achieve Award? 1.Register for the Award 2.Complete 4 activities (they cannot be all from the same category):  Category 1: Accredited co-curricular modules  Category 2: Work Experience, Study Abroad and Enterprise  Category 3: Internal & External Opportunities  Category 4: Formal University-wide Opportunities 3. Apply for the Award – crucial part of the process as it will ensure that they reflect on the skills and attributes that they have developed from engaging with Award activities.

Category 1Category 2Category 3Category 4 Accredited co-curricular modules Work experience, Study Abroad and Enterprise Internal and External Opportunities Formal University Wide Opportunities Open to 1st Year students Reflect on Me PPD131‘ Building your skills PPD105 Open to 2nd Year students Developing Skills for Work PPD104 Peer Assisted Study Skills 1 PPD037 Peer Assisted Study Skills 2 PPD051 Open to 3rd Year students Graduation- what next? PPD102 Career management Skills PPD103 Open to all students Skills Development through Student Representation P/T job Work Experience Skills Builder Module PPD 184 Year long Placement – DPP(I)/DIAS Year Long Placement Study USA Study Abroad International Student Exchange Programme (ISEP) Language Assistant Ulster Sports Outreach Educational Placement Programme Erasmus Short-term placements – via module PPD employability through work experience' Washington Ireland Program IAESTE Placement Preparation Module (only open to computing students) Placement Preparation PPD120 Business LaunchPad Enterprise Development PPD183 Open to all Sports/Students Union Club or Committee Member Student Union Rag Volunteer Volunteering with External Organisations Business Enterprise Academy Business Bootcamp Careers Plus Open to Social Work students Social Work Individual Practice Development Days Open to UOTC students Leaderhsip Development Programme Module 1 &2 Open to Sports students Ulster Sports Outreach Education Induction Training Programme Ulster Sports Outreach Sport for LIFE programme Open to UBS students Entrepreneurship Competitions CIMA Accredited SAGE certificate Open to Nursing students Disaster Risk Reduction Immediate Life Support Open to Computing & Engineering Stem Ambassador Open to Media, Film & Journalism Entrepreneur Residency Open to Sports and Creative Dance Dance for Life Programme Open to Communication/ Art & Design Publicity Association of NI/University of Ulster Advertising Competition (PANI) Tutoring in schools Students Union Enterprise Competition Team Member Sciences and Ethics: Debates and Dilemmas Developing Digital literacy

Students that graduated with EDGE say…. “Completing the EDGE Award has given me more confidence going forward. I have gained an experience that I have learned a lot from and a certificate to prove it, it really does feel like I’ve got an edge and can compete with other graduates for employment” (Psychology student) “It has helped me to sell myself through the development of activities for my CV. This has given me greater confidence in interviews, approaching people, stating my opinion which will in turn support my future employment. No matter what degree you do, the EDGE Award is for you.” (International Politics student) “It has given me the opportunity to gain experience that would be otherwise unavailable” (Law student)

Management of EDGE via HEAR Database ‘

HEAR on the Portal

Challenges  Developing criterion framework for category activities  Setting up EDGE within HEAR database for verification of activities  Effectively marketing the Award to students and maintaining their interest  Target set of 50% of all students to register with Award  University cuts  Engagement of academics in providing activities for inclusion in the Award  Creating awareness of Award with employers

Successes  Employability agenda of University and HEAR section 6.1 have helped promote engagement with EDGE  Setting up EDGE within HEAR database for verification  2667 students have registered on EDGE  Pilot cohort graduated with EDGE certificate in July 2013

What Employers say about EDGE.. ‘It’s an excellent idea to further enhance the skills of graduates entering the workplace. It allows them to ‘widen’ their range of inter-personal/ leadership skills’ (Musgrave Retail Partners NI) ‘It’s a brilliant idea! We find lots of grads are not overly commercially aware and I think this Award scheme would assist with this’ (Axiom) ‘Fantastic scheme. We are definitely looking for more than just academic qualifications. Students who have real work/life experiences who understand their own skills/strengths and how to leverage these are definitely more employable’ (Dageo)

Will EDGE be used in recruitment process? ‘Yes, this could be a good differentiator for us as so many students have good grades’ (Asidua Ltd) ‘If graduates have it, would see it as an advantage’ (Terex) ‘The experience gained would be excellent – to be demonstrated in application forms and interviews, particularly for competency based questions’ (Andor Technology) ‘I think this would be something that would be displayed during interviews. Helping them with confidence, ability to answer questions, give good examples etc..’ (Graham Construction)

Lessons Learnt Senior management buy-in crucial Adequate resourcing for administration of Award/ HEAR Maintaining student interest/ momentum for the Award Achieving employer buy-in

Next Steps? Increase employer awareness of EDGE Award / create employer awareness of HEAR 1 st cohort of FT undergrads graduate with HEAR in July 2014 EDGE will be included in section 6.1 of HEAR EDGE is now an embedded part of ‘Ulster’s Learning and Teaching: Implementation and Review Framework’ as an employability indicator Create an ‘Advanced EDGE’ Award

Further Challenges  How to confer the EDGE when numbers grow?  Should it still be a separate certificate or just part of the official transcript?  Measuring the impact of EDGE… -of those that gained the EDGE certificate 40% starting a new job 54% going back into education 6% not sure what they are going to do..

Graduate Views Has the EDGE Award helped you to obtain your present job/ education programme?  My present employment focuses on the research element of my degree, therefore the EDGE Award was not one of the things my employer was looking for. However, he did find it particularly interesting and a positive contribution to my skills when we discussed it. Has the EDGE Award helped you in your present job/ education programme?  The transferable skills i was able to gain during my 4 activities to complete the EDGE Award have been put to good use within my current employment and I have been able to enhance them further through my actions in specific situations. Do you feel that although it may not be beneficial now it maybe/will be in the future?  I believe that even if the EDGE Award does not contribute to obtaining employment or further education it will most definately help you out when you discover that the transferable skills that you learned can be used in my employment situations and educational courses.

Best way of increasing employer awareness of HEAR and EDGE?

Additional Information: AGCAS Award Task Group: Initial findings from the skills and employability awards survey 2011 Available at: information-resources [accessed 16 th Nov 2013] information-resources University of Ulster Corporate Plan 2011/12 to 2015/16 ‘Professional Education for Professional Life. Available at: (accessed 12 Nov 2013). University of Ulster Teaching and Learning Committee, (2013), Learning and Teaching Strategy (2013/14 – 2017/18) June Available at: cVersion.pdf (accessed 12 Nov 2013). cVersion.pdf Wilson Review (2012) A review of Business – university collaboration. Available at: review-business-university-collaboration.pdf [accessed 12th Nov 2013]– review-business-university-collaboration.pdf Extra-curricular awards stimulus papers: AGCAS perspective Dec 2012 Available at: AGCAS.aspxhttp:// AGCAS.aspx Extra-curricular awards stimulus papers: CRA perspective Dec 2012 Available at: