Employment - the student perspective A presentation of research findings Jo Stanton, Research Officer NUS Alison Clark, Director, NASES

Agenda Success in the Student Market 2014 Research findings Alison Clark: National Association of Student Employment Services Key considerations Discussion Final thoughts & questions Speech Bubble designed by factor[e] design initiative from the Noun Project

Introduction Jo Stanton: Research Officer – Commercial Intelligence Market research to support NUS internally Occasional projects that also help to inform students’ unions… Started at NUS in January 2014 First major project – Success in the Student Market I’m Jo and I am a Research Officer at NUS. In particular I work on market research projects that help to inform the organisation internally. Occasionally however I do work on projects which serve a joint purpose to inform NUS and students’ unions. Indeed when I started at NUS back in January of this year one of the first major projects I worked on was Success in the Student Market which serves to inform both NUS and students’ unions…more of that in a minute… Over to you, if each of you could just introduce yourself, your role and how you use research at your students’ union

Success in the Student Market

Success in the Student Market 2014 Combines insight from students and students’ unions …creating a full picture of the current situation in the student market now and how it is changing over time Aims to both inform and inspire This year sees the third edition of Success in the Student Market - with a focus on segmentation Reviews opportunities for students’ unions to provide an excellent service to all students, regardless of their individual circumstances. Just as a bit of background for those who are less familiar with Success in the Student Market. It’s a large scale piece of research that… Gathers information from students and students’ unions Looks at the ‘here & now’ but also tracks changes over time (annual project) This was the third year the research was conducted. Last year there was a focus on innovation whereas this year we focused on segmentation Serves to inform and inspire students’ unions so they provide an excellent service for all students

2x surveys 30 minute telephone interview 20 minute online survey Methodology Students’ union general managers and CEOs 30 minute telephone interview 2x surveys www… 20 minute online survey Students Identical methodology to 2012 &2013 Fieldwork 14th Feb – 3rd March 2014

The research reiterated that students want help from their SUs with employment issues Students are acutely conscious of the need to enhance their employability status as early as they feasibly can. Subsequently students are asking their students’ unions for support, guidance and advice on a number of issues, including employment issues e.g. help with getting work experience or placements, course related clubs and societies and more general advice on the job market.

What’s top of mind? 3rd most likely to be top of mind 3rd most commonly mentioned Base: 1629 Q3. Using the list below, please tell us your top five things that are on your mind while at university

Increase in the usage of employment & volunteering services = success Employment & volunteering services usage 29% 19% Most frequently used students’ union online facilities 2012 2013 2014 Volunteering & employment advice online 10% 12% 13% Over three quarters agree gaining work experience is important to success in life Base: 1629 Q29. Thinking about your time at university or college, please indicate how far you agree or disagree with each of the following statements & Q30. Again, thinking about your time at university or college, please indicate how far you agree or disagree with each of the following statements (Base 1,606 – 1,617) Usage of employment and volunteering services has increased from 19-29% over the past year (based on those students who are aware of the service) And usage on these services online has been creeping up slightly over the past 3 years Q21d. Which of these online facilities do you use most often? (2014 Base: 897, 2013 Q25a. Base: 776, 2012 Q25a. 587) NB respondents could choose up to three services. Based on those aware of the service, compared to 2013

Things to improve… 38% 2014 33% 2013 AND… 12% 2014 10% 2013 The employment agency was the most commonly selected area for improvement within students’ unions, with an increase from last year AND… 10% 2013 12% 2014 The employment agency was the area students would improve most within their students’ union, with an increase from last year ( Base: 1458 Q28a. Which, if any, of the below would you focus on to improve your students’ union? Base:1458 Q28b And which of these would you focus on most to improve your students’ union?

Alison Clark National Association of Student Employment Services

The Student Employment Sector… HE sector saturated, room for FE growth Over 110 services operating in the UK Majority operate from careers/employability services Student employment services….no 2 models alike Student lead function Service set up complex can be complex

A student Employment Service… Link to institution employability strategy What employability support is available on campus Code of Good Practise – guidelines for operating Employment Law Advice & Support What employability initiatives exist on campus

How to impact employability… Gain Work Experience Employability Awards Entrepreneurship/ Enterprise Network Become a student officer Do something different Internationalise your experience Test the Market Evidence your experience Social Media – supporting linked in profiles Volunteering Clubs & Societies

What barriers do you face? 10 minute Discussion What barriers do you face? What opportunities exist? Next steps?

Any questions?

Thank you Jo Stanton Alison Clark Research Officer – Commercial Intelligence Joanne.stanton@nus.org.uk Alison Clark NASES Director nasesoffice@uclan.ac.uk