Employability

What does employability mean?

One definition of employability is: [1]

Employability is a sum of a graduate's achievements and their potential to gain a graduate job (not the actual acquisition of a graduate job).

Further to this:

• Employers see a graduate's achievements in the subject discipline as necessary but not sufficient for them to be recruited. In some employment contexts the actual subject discipline may be unimportant.
  
• Achievements outside the boundaries of the discipline - such as possession of 'soft skills' are considered to be important in the recruitment of graduates.
  
• Employability derives from complex learning - it is not just about core or key skills.
  
• Employability is not the attribute solely of the new graduate. [It] needs to be continuously refreshed throughout a working life.

The University of Reading enthusiastically seeks to enhance the employability of all of our students. We are committed to providing opportunities for students to enhance their employability, both within and outside of the curriculum.

[1]ESECT - Learning and Employability series (2004) 1) Employability in Higher Education

Red Award

The Reading Experience and Development (RED) Award is a new university scheme that rewards students for undertaking extra-curricular activities as well as helping students get the most out of their experiences in terms of their professional and personal development. The award is open to all students at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Thematic Review of Work Related and Placement Learning

In 2010, the Thematic Review of Work Related and Placement Learning made several key recommendations pertaining to employability. These include:

That by 2011/12, all undergraduate programmes must have a placement opportunity (PO) available to students registered on the programme. POs can takeone of three forms:

• Micro - embedded within a module;
• Mini - constituting an entire module;
• Maxi - comprising a year.

*Placement Opportunity (PO) shall mean a work or academic placement.

Thematic Review (PDF 8MB)

This will ensure that all of our students have increased opportunities to undertake placements. This is not only beneficial in terms of work or study experience (depending on placement type) but students undertaking placements should also be encouraged to reflect and articulate the skills and expertise they have gained from placements. It is articulation such as this that is vital to our students in a time when a 'degree is not enough'.

Staff development and support

CDoTL are committed to support the ongoing development of staff in the area of employability and in this we work collaboratively with a variety of other areas such as academic schools, Quality Support, CSTD and the Careers Advisory Service. From August 2011, the Careers Advisory Service will cease to exist. A new service, Student Experience, Employability and Careers Centre (SEECC) will open and we are already making plans to work together to deliver training and development that is needs-led.

Recently, CDoTL and CAS have organised two workshops focusing on the implications of the thematic review and on the assessment of work placements.

Feedback from both workshops has indicated that ongoing support will be provided by CDoTL in conjunction with SEECC where appropriate on the following areas:

• How to find placements
• Preparing students for placements
• Student reflection and reflective learning
• Input from industry partners on their priorities for placements

Further information will be available shortly. In the meantime if you have any questions, please contact Emma Sowden, SEECC or Sarah Morey, CDoTL.