1. Employment - the student perspective
A presentation of research findings
Jo Stanton, Research Officer NUS
Alison Clark, Director, NASES

2. Agenda Success in the Student Market 2014 Research findings
Alison Clark: National Association of Student Employment Services
Key considerations
Discussion
Final thoughts & questions
Speech Bubble designed by factor[e] design initiative from the Noun Project

3. Introduction Jo Stanton: Research Officer – Commercial Intelligence
Market research to support NUS internally
Occasional projects that also help to inform students’ unions…
Started at NUS in January 2014
First major project – Success in the Student Market
I’m Jo and I am a Research Officer at NUS. In particular I work on market research projects that help to inform the organisation internally.
Occasionally however I do work on projects which serve a joint purpose to inform NUS and students’ unions.
Indeed when I started at NUS back in January of this year one of the first major projects I worked on was Success in the Student Market which serves to inform both NUS and students’ unions…more of that in a minute…
Over to you, if each of you could just introduce yourself, your role and how you use research at your students’ union

4. Success in the Student Market

5. Success in the Student Market 2014
Combines insight from students and students’ unions
…creating a full picture of the current situation in the student market now and how it is changing over time
Aims to both inform and inspire
This year sees the third edition of Success in the Student Market - with a focus on segmentation
Reviews opportunities for students’ unions to provide an excellent service to all students, regardless
of their individual circumstances.
Just as a bit of background for those who are less familiar with Success in the Student Market.
It’s a large scale piece of research that…
Gathers information from students and students’ unions
Looks at the ‘here & now’ but also tracks changes over time (annual project)
This was the third year the research was conducted. Last year there was a focus on innovation whereas this year we focused on segmentation
Serves to inform and inspire students’ unions so they provide an excellent service for all students

6. 2x surveys 30 minute telephone interview 20 minute online survey
Methodology
Students’ union general managers and CEOs
30 minute telephone interview
2x surveys
www…
20 minute online survey
Students
Identical methodology to 2012 &2013
Fieldwork
14th Feb –
3rd March 2014

7. The research reiterated that students want help from their SUs with employment issues
Students are acutely conscious of the need to enhance their employability status as early as they feasibly can.
Subsequently students are asking their students’ unions for support, guidance and advice on a number of issues, including employment issues e.g. help with getting work experience or placements, course related clubs and societies and more general advice on the job market.

8. What’s top of mind? 3rd most likely to be top of mind
3rd most commonly mentioned
Base: 1629
Q3. Using the list below, please tell us your top five things that are on your mind while at university

9. Increase in the usage of employment & volunteering services
= success
Employment & volunteering services usage
29%
19%
Most frequently used students’ union online facilities
2012
2013
2014
Volunteering & employment advice online
10%
12%
13%
Over three quarters agree gaining work experience is important to success in life
Base: 1629
Q29. Thinking about your time at university or college, please indicate how far you agree or disagree with each of the following statements & Q30. Again, thinking about your time at university or college, please indicate how far you agree or disagree with each of the following statements (Base 1,606 – 1,617)
Usage of employment and volunteering services has increased from 19-29% over the past year (based on those students who are aware of the service)
And usage on these services online has been creeping up slightly over the past 3 years
Q21d. Which of these online facilities do you use most often? (2014 Base: 897, 2013 Q25a. Base: 776, 2012 Q25a. 587) NB respondents could choose up to three services.
Based on those aware of the service, compared to 2013

10. Things to improve… 38% 2014 33% 2013 AND… 12% 2014 10% 2013
The employment agency was the most commonly selected area for improvement within students’ unions, with an increase from last year
AND…
10% 2013
12% 2014
The employment agency was the area students would improve most within their students’ union, with an increase from last year (
Base: 1458
Q28a. Which, if any, of the below would you focus on to improve your students’ union?
Base:1458
Q28b And which of these would you focus on most to improve your students’ union?

11. Alison Clark
National Association of Student Employment Services

12. The Student Employment Sector…
HE sector saturated, room for FE growth
Over 110 services operating in the UK
Majority operate from careers/employability services
Student employment services….no 2 models alike
Student lead function
Service set up complex can be complex

13. A student Employment Service…
Link to institution employability strategy
What employability support is available on campus
Code of Good Practise – guidelines for operating
Employment Law Advice & Support
What employability initiatives exist on campus

14. How to impact employability…
Gain Work Experience
Employability Awards
Entrepreneurship/ Enterprise
Network
Become a student officer
Do something different
Internationalise your experience
Test the Market
Evidence your experience
Social Media – supporting linked in profiles
Volunteering
Clubs & Societies

15. What barriers do you face?
10 minute Discussion
What barriers do you face?
What opportunities exist?
Next steps?

16. Any questions?

17. Thank you Jo Stanton Alison Clark
Research Officer – Commercial Intelligence
Alison Clark
NASES Director