Widening Participation & Employability: Breaking Down the Barriers Ruby Hammer Senior Lecturer Law School

Introduction Employability has been broadly defined as '…a set of achievements – skills, understandings and personal attributes – that makes graduates more likely to gain employment and be successful in their chosen occupations, which benefits themselves, the workforce, the community and the economy.' (Yorke, 2004).

Background Relationship between widening participation, employability and skills. Non-traditional entrants and employability (Graham- Matheson, 2002). Robbins Report 1963 Deering Report 1997 Leitch Review 2006 Innovation Nation White Paper 2008 Denham Review

Current Issues Can traditional academic values be reconciled with developing graduates potential in the context of transferable skills, lifelong and reflective learning? How can we utilise employability to break down barriers for non-standard university entrants within the world of work and graduate recruitment?

Employability & Pedagogy Definitions and relationship with skills Duality of Employability (Brown, Hesketh and Williams, 2002) Diversity of background balanced against inclusivity Lifelong learning and upskilling of professionals

Pedagogy ESECT Student Employability Co-ordination Team (HEA) The need to take the inherent complexity of the construct into account. The need to adjust the concept in relation to needs. Emphasis on employability in context of lifelong learning.

Example: Careers Workshops Careers workshops - implemented series of careers workshops using speakers from both legal and non- legal employers to facilitate dissemination of information and opportunities for students to network. Allows students from diverse range of backgrounds to enhance careers knowledge and awareness as well as networking in supportive environment.

Example: Employability Workshops within SKILLs Module Review of delivery of skills within undergraduate law provision. Workshops focusing on reflective learning in relation to personal development and employability. Troubleshooting and dealing with blackspots How to….. as opposed to I cant, What about my…

Example: Careers & Employability Training Days Integrated within induction period at Level 2 and 3. Extensive training utilising central services, external agencies and employers. Pilot academic session – student evaluation and feedback indicated high level of satisfaction and engagement.

Conclusions Evaluation and Feedback: concluding thoughts Further research and on-going developments Employability profiles and case studies engaging past students.

Contact Details Thank you for your attendance. If you would like to discuss any of the issues raised – please contact: Ruby Hammer Senior Lecturer & Undergraduate Employability Co-ordinator at: Telephone: