THE PROJECT Embedding employability in the student experience of STEM undergraduates: a Placement Toolkit for STEM Schools Leslie Rees: Director of Careers & Employer Services Julian Blanch: Employer Liaison Manager/STEM Project Officer Careers & Employability, Cardiff University

THE CONTEXT Higher Ambitions: The Future of Universities in a Knowledge Economy (2009) Welsh Government For Our Future: The 21 st Century Higher Education Strategy and Plan for Wales (2009) Skills & Employability Agreement/Framework (2012) Wilson Review of University – Business Collaboration (February 2012) Tuition Fees and the Student Voice Department for Business Innovation and Skills

CARDIFF UNIVERSITY Schools of Chemistry, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics & Astronomy Graduate Employability & Enterprise Skills Strategy Code of Practice on Placement Learning

TIMETABLE & MILESTONES January 2012Project start February/March 2012Review of existing good practice Liaison with STEM Schools Liaison with administrative colleagues April 2012Placement Officers Network May 2012Review with Careers Liaison Officers/ Placement Officers in Schools June 2012Draft Toolkit issues for consultation/ revision

STEM PLACEMENT TOOLKIT – AN OUTLINE Focusing on the needs of academic staff Clarifying roles & responsibilities Positioning statement of incurred fees and the value of an official placement Guidelines from Professional and other Bodies (NCWE, Engineering Bodies) Sharing success and good practice Provision of example case studies from schools with mature placement schemes

WHAT NEXT? Dissemination events in CU and beyond Evaluate with employers Produce a Placement Toolkit – printed/online