UEL – London’s leading university for civic engagement UEL Helping Our Students Prosper Femi Bola MBE Director of Employability 5 th November 2014

UEL – London’s leading university for civic engagement Our Context 27,000 students 50% first in the family to attend university 65%+ BAME students 54% mature students 40% lower socio-economic groups 81% from the London area 50% from East London International students

UEL – London’s leading university for civic engagement Our Students High Flyers Support Heavy Unconsciously Incompetent

UEL – London’s leading university for civic engagement What do students want? A graduate level job I’ve paid £27,000 for it!

UEL – London’s leading university for civic engagement Their Context Over supply Competition high – concentration of graduates in London and SE Employers – tricky! Test, test, test! On-line life – the world in my room Communicate – I do don’t I? Attitude and behaviours Networking key – It’s still who you know

UEL – London’s leading university for civic engagement Employability The ability to:- Get a job Keep a job Progress in a job Get a better job Get a different job Create your own job

UEL – London’s leading university for civic engagement What employers want What they really, really want! Self-management Team working Business and customer awareness Problem solving Communication Application of numeracy Application of information technology POSITIVE attitude!

UEL – London’s leading university for civic engagement What we do Small team – use our website + on-line resources Continually chase students and graduates Prepare our students – Get that hair cut! Try to be proactive, creative and innovative

UEL – London’s leading university for civic engagement How do we work? Do our own brokerage – we’ve grown up! Get up close and personal with employers Do the heavy lifting for employers Schemes just for them Use employer engagement to build social capital Sell our students – they are gorgeous!

UEL – London’s leading university for civic engagement ‘I do and I understand!’ Opportunities to practice and get feedback Mentoring, Placements, Internships, Work Experience, Volunteering Simulations – e.g. Assessment Centres E-Factor Business Ideas Competition Petchey Centre for Entrepreneurship

UEL – London’s leading university for civic engagement Challenges Reaching our students and graduates Changing employer perceptions Aligning diversity and quality Raising awareness of academic colleagues

UEL – London’s leading university for civic engagement Triumphs Business Mentors in the last 5 years Relationships with Canary Wharf employers 300+ Student Volunteers per year Mentoring and Befriending Foundation recognition Matrix reaccreditation

UEL – London’s leading university for civic engagement On-Line Resources

UEL – London’s leading university for civic engagement Thank you