Peter Fantom Head Of Careers Service University of Aberdeen

Aim To propose a framework to enhance the employability of students at the University of Aberdeen. Specific objectives include: – Capturing employability in the curriculum by work-based and work-related learning initiatives. –Increasing employer engagement in the design and content of curricula. –Articulated pathways to include PDP.

An Overview of Employability in Scotland Employability : 2004 QAA Enhancement Theme. Additional resources allocated to the sector. Approach at U of A approved by UMG. 4 year Employability Strategy developed. Additional employability staff recruited. 1 st Year Development plan to be submitted in April Employability plans to be audited by external consultants SQW. Continuing collaboration within Scottish Sector.

What does the term employability mean? 1.The concept of “employability” captures an individual’s ability to gain sustained access to labour market opportunities : to enter the labour market and employment successfully for a reasonable period of time, and also to improve employment prospects and rewards, where that is the individual’s wish. 2.A set of achievements – skills, understandings and personal attributes – that make individuals more likely to gain employment and be successful in their chosen occupations. 3.An important buzz word to be incorporated freely into all documents relating to careers work and higher education to capture and communicate the zeitgeist of the age.

Focus on three areas: 1.Employer Engagement 2.Curriculum Enhancement 3.Articulated Pathways

Employer Engagement Raise the profile and importance of employer engagement. Have a dedicated University resource serving employers requirements. Hold marketing events for graduate recruiters. Build on existing employer links with Careers Service and academic departments.

Curriculum Enhancement Work-related learning e.g. business simulations, employment case studies. Organise work experience as part of a degree programme e.g. ERASMUS work placement opportunities. Enhance the current ED2511 career development learning course provision for all three Colleges.

Making the connection? Even good Professionally Accredited degree programmes can fail to connect between student and workplace Placements? an administrative challenge take time from coursework hard to monitor mixed outcomes Can simulation and role play help? Undergrad courses Workplace Source: Professor Gordon Walkden

What does the Business Game do? It exercises these simultaneously Next best to outplacement? It exercises these skills: Job getting Team-working Communication Self management Problem solving IT applications Stress & Competition It introduces students to the “rules” of the “professional working environment” Source: Professor Gordon Walkden

Articulated Pathways An enhanced web-based PDP resource, available to all students at the start of their HE experience. Detailed information regarding employability and the Careers Service provision to be included as part of induction process. Yearly progress discussions to support student academic, pastoral and life decision making, including effective referral mechanisms.

Current/future labour market trends Growing polarisation of the labour market. Growing dispersion of economic outcomes that accrue to successful participation in HE. Growing importance of social and soft skills, attributes and personal characteristics. Transitions from education to employment have become longer, more complex and less linear. Traditional purveyors of advice (Parents) struggle to understand the complexities of labour market. Source: Keep & Brown, University of Warwick, 2007

PREDICTIONS FOR SCOTLAND’S LABOUR MARKET IN 2017  Modest employment growth – mainly in managerial and professional jobs.  Based on recent trends the biggest growth may be in part-time jobs.  Structural ageing (i.e. the age distribution in the workforce) will be an important issue. Source: Future Skills Scotland

"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." Dumbeldore: Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets

College Bounds Aberdeen AB24 3UX

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