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Embedding employability into the academic curriculum – Using the employability framework

Embedding employability into the academic curriculum – Using the employability framework. 17 th October 2013 HEA Employability Conference 2013 The Studio, Birmingham By Doug Cole, Employability Project Manager doug.cole@bucks.ac.uk. Background. Introductions

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Embedding employability into the academic curriculum – Using the employability framework

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  1. Embedding employability into the academic curriculum – Using the employability framework 17th October 2013 HEA Employability Conference 2013 The Studio, Birmingham By Doug Cole, Employability Project Manager doug.cole@bucks.ac.uk

  2. Background • Introductions • Bridging the ‘gap’ between the Careers & Employability Service and academics (engaging all academics with employability!) • ‘Academic’ to supporting academics • The task ‘To drive the adoption of an employability vision and strategy for our students within our faculties, developing a consistency of approach to employability within all our programmes and to provide leadership and motivation for school employability champions and change agents of employability within the faculties through working both with the champions and the careers and employability team.’

  3. 9000 Students 300 Academic Staff Social Sciences, Primary Care & Education Pre-Qualifying Nursing Design, Craft & Visual Arts Applied Production & New Media Applied Management & Law Advanced & Continuing Practice ‘Developing a culture’ Other Stakeholders: Senior Management, Careers & Employability, Enterprise, AQD, HR, LDU, SU & PSEs’

  4. Progress • Over 90 meetings held across the institution (every department covered) – Research, Listening & Sharing stage • Findings - ‘Mixed interpretations, Misconceptions, No single model’ • Online survey conducted • Employability organization shell created on Blackboard - ‘one stop shop’ for resources and sign posting for further support • Comprehensive ‘Work Experience’ guidelines produced and available to all staff • Significant restructure - Employability now part of the new ‘Centre for Learning & Teaching’

  5. Progress • 140 staff attended the first ‘Staff Development Day’ • Developed an Employability & Enterprise’ themed ‘Activities Week’ with the SU - Over 200 activities for students November 18-22 • Bucks Employability ‘A guide for staff’ produced • Validation & Revalidation documents revised inline with the new ‘Employability Guide’ (Working with AQD – on going) • Established as a ‘go to’ person / support for academics / course teams

  6. Purpose of the guide • ‘Finding common ground’ - Adopting a systematic and unified approach at an institutional level • Defining what we want to do and how we will do it • Becoming more explicit as teams and with students • Increased flexibility and ownership at a course level • Producing something that is simple, will be helpful and that people will read and use! • Aim to make ‘employability everyone's business’

  7. Activity • Read Stage 1 and discuss in small groups. How could this work in your own institution? Who would be involved and when could you do this? What does employability mean to you and how does this translate to practice? • Feedback • Read Stage 2 and discuss in small groups. In relation to your definition at stage one, what are you already doing? Where are the gaps? • Feedback • Read Stage 3 and discuss in small groups. How could you share good practice more effectively / proactively? How might you begin to address any gaps? • Feedback

  8. Embedding & Engagement • Are personal relationships enough? The challenges! • All departments were required to complete the ‘Programme Review & Evaluation’ process as a requirement from the Academic Quality Directorate (Existing process not additional). Embedded section with this. • By end of September 2013 we should have had a ‘Course Employability Summary’ for every course / area (1 page ish!) • Initial results from one faculty 8 out of 13 departments completed this form • ‘Building a foundation’ - Understanding current interpretations / Sharing good practice / Identifying gaps and targeting support • Whole process has been designed with workload and time pressures in mind but at the same time needing to be meaningful

  9. Priorities for 2012/14 Stage 1: Clarity, Stability & Sustainability • Developing a clear infrastructure for employability • Working with SMT to develop clear objectives for employability in the ‘Corporate Planning Statements’ & securing resources where needed • Focus on communication and clarity of messages internally – The importance of language

  10. Priorities for 2012/14 Stage 2: Engagement • Refined documentation and managed processes – AQD (Faculty, School & Department engagement) • Identifying how ALL departments can engage with the ‘Employability Guide’ (Faculty & Department engagement) • ‘Translating’ the PDR process - ‘strategic corporate goals’ to ‘operational goals’ (Individual engagement) • Developing the CPD offer for all academics (Individual engagement) • Supporting staff (Individual engagement) • Project to permanent!

  11. Thank you for your time Any questions? Contact details 01494 522141 Ext 4327 doug.cole@bucks.ac.uk

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