The Institutional Approach to Employability
The Institutional Approach to Employability
There are three facets that inform the development of employability strategies, namely drivers, informers and enablers [5]. The following diagram illustrates what is meant by each of these terms:
“A diagram showing 3 components; Drivers are 1 Aims, 2 Outcomes, 3 Measures of success. Informers are 1 Guiding principles and ways of working, 2 Defining employability. Enablers are 1 Specific actions or activities, 2 Tools and technologies and 3 Deliverers.” />
2.1 Drivers
The ‘Planning for Successful Student Futures’ section of the Education & Students Sub-strategy sets out 9 priorities focused on embedding employability and enterprise to enhance the curriculum and wider student experience.
Key to this is the integration of the University’s graduate attributes into academic governance processes that support new programme development and academic renewal and revalidation. The expectation is that delivery of the priority areas will have a positive impact on graduate outcomes.
2.2 Informers
Definitions of employability and enterprise, clearly stating what is meant by ‘embedded’, and using graduate attributes as the narrative will surface relevant activities already in the curriculum, identify enhancements to learning and teaching, and provide a means by which students can understand, reflect on and articulate the skills and attributes they have developed. Graduate Attributes maps developed with schools (piloted as co-curricular maps) will be an important informer.
2.3 Enablers
Partnership working with academic colleagues is key. Employability Networks operate in each College, and there is an Employability Lead in each school. These networks enable consultation with academic colleagues. Student Futures will also work closely with the Cardiff Learning and Teaching Academy to support the roll-out of the Education Development Service, and Futures staff will form part of the multi-disciplinary teams that will support schools to develop new programmes. Institutional processes have been enhanced to surface more granular information about employability and graduate attributes in programme learning outcomes and approaches to
assessment, and Student Futures is already supporting schools undertaking revalidation.
Toolkits of resources are being developed, which will include learning materials, assessment templates and case studies to share concepts and good practice. Student Futures will work in partnership with schools, either supporting colleagues to deliver or by teaching in the curriculum. As well as learning and teaching resources, this support may include bringing in employers and alumni to teach or inform programme development or helping schools to establish or enhance placement activity and international mobility.