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Heriot-Watt University School of Textiles & Design

Heriot-Watt University School of Textiles & Design. Cath. Fenton – Lecturer Jeanette Graham – Careers Adviser Embedding skills into the curriculum Professional Career Readiness. Heriot-Watt University School of Textiles & Design. Why? Employability & Professional Career

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Heriot-Watt University School of Textiles & Design

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  1. Heriot-Watt UniversitySchool of Textiles & Design Cath. Fenton – Lecturer Jeanette Graham – Careers Adviser Embedding skills into the curriculum Professional Career Readiness

  2. Heriot-Watt UniversitySchool of Textiles & Design Why? • Employability & Professional Career Readiness main focus of University’s strategic plan. • Improve graduate destination figures • Combat fall in league tables

  3. Heriot-Watt UniversitySchool of Textiles & Design Employability, preparing students and graduates with the essential skills beyond the intricacies of the discipline for a career in the fashion arena.

  4. Fashion graduates not only need an impressive portfolio, they also require: • creative talent and abilities to produce new variants • technical knowledge in product realisation • solutions to the age-old problem of clothing the body • skill to develop refreshing and exciting awareness of design in a contemporary context

  5. Fashion graduates not only have to have an impressive portfolio: • But also : Commitment and drive Motivation and enthusiasm Team working Oral communication Flexibility and adaptability Customer focus Problem solving Managing own learning and career Commercial awareness Planning and organising

  6. Session 04/05 – implemented a strategy to intersperse activities into the curriculum at all levels to enhance Professional Career Readiness (PCR) Looked at 3 areas of PDP focus and integration: • Academic core skills • Personal/Career skills • Reflective skills for students

  7. Graduate employability skills Achieved an informed understanding of the requirements for employment through: • Placement provider feedback • Graduates feedback • Graduate employers feedback • Guest speakers from the industry • Industrial Advisory Group

  8. Based on SCQF levels, Academic Skills Coach undertook an audit of employability skills already in the curriculum through: • Questionnaires to academic staff • Lecturers looking at skills in each module • Activities and assignments in each course • Specialist skills workshops delivered either by lecturer or Academic Skills Coach

  9. Embedded in the curriculum • Oral, visual and written presentation • Live projects • Teamwork to achieve common goals • Self and peer assessment • Reflective analysis Also • Encourage work placements (compulsory in FT) • Discipline related vocational employment

  10. Live Projects in curriculum Current: • Woven fabric manufacturer - Holland & Sherry • Giftware retailers – Hallmark • Specialist dye manufacturer - B & H Liquid Crystal Resources Ltd • Textile design agent - Chris Judge • Using environmental friendly fabrics – Gardening Scotland

  11. Professional Career Readiness • Sessions delivered by Careers Adviser for all years of all courses from year one. • All sessions are timetabled for all students • Attendance is taken at each class and passed to Course Directors • Encouraged and supported by academic staff • No formal assessment

  12. Professional Career Readiness classes • Four courses – FDI, TFDM, FT and DfT Year One – Delivered as part of Registration programme to all 1st year students and Direct Entrants: • Careers Service Induction • Introduction to employability skills and expectations of graduate employers.

  13. Professional Career Readiness classes Year Two • Building on, recording and reflecting on skills • Writing CV/covering letter. • Individual CV/letter checks Year Three • Career planning and work experience • Career options – fashion/textile occupations and skills required

  14. Professional Career Readiness classes Year Four • Graduate job searching • Application procedures • Interview skills Also: • All students offered individual help and advice • Separate programme for Placement Students • Same programme for School of Management students on Campus

  15. Professional Career Readiness classesGet Started Programme

  16. Professional Career Readiness classesGuest Speakers • Textile Embroiderer theatre; couture; design and production • Director CAD/CAM company advanced technologies for the Clothing industry • Senior Retail Consultant • Former CE of Aquascutum global sourcing and the impact on the Western World . • BHS Quality Manager career and experiences/advice.

  17. Results - PCR & Embedded Skills Rates of Graduate level employment steadily increasing 03/04 - 46.4% 04/05 - 56.3% 05/06 - 73.4% 06/07 – 81.4%

  18. Professional Career Readiness classesBenefits: • Closer links with academic staff • Higher profile of Careers Service amongst students • More awareness of the needs of the industry • Students better informed with regard to where/when/how to apply for jobs • Marked increase in number of students applying for work experience

  19. Professional Career Readiness classes Issues: • Attendance can vary • Raised expectations • Very labour intensive • Requires back-up resources • Relies on support from academic staff

  20. Preparing graduates for a successful career in the global fashion industry

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