Embedding Employability in Course Curricula Damien Fitzgerald and Jeff Waldock 2 June 2009

We would like students to … be good communicators (orally and in writing) be good at working in teams be aware of own skills, and be able to articulate them have leadership skills be reflective and adaptable be good at time management and action-planning be aware of, and able to exploit, opportunities have career-planning skills

Approaches to embedding employability (1) Institutional level –University level employability framework/awardframework –Course validation –Support for extra curricular activities Module level –Hosting relevant activities –Staff engagement Course level –Coordinated approach to LTA –Generic processes, e.g. PDP

Approaches to embedding employability (2) Include career management skills Highlight career paths – perhaps using alumni Work placements, or other forms of WBL Raise awareness of skill developments (and purpose) Construct appropriate assessment tasks Built in to course programme at all levels, developmentally LTA practice that supports skills development Implement supported PDP processes

Questions: 1.How well does YOUR curriculum embed employability? Workshop activity 1 – audit questionnaire What areas of good practice can you share?

Questions: 2.What changes could you make that would improve your students’ general skills development? Workshop activity 2

Questions: 3.Indentify one action you personally plan to take as a result of today’s discussion? Workshop activity 3