The Careers Service hosted a successful symposium this week, bringing members of our academic staff together with over 30 representatives from organisations of all sizes; from sectors as diverse as engineering, IT, biological sciences, charity & volunteering, law and finance.
The event gave participants the opportunity to discuss the academic curriculum and development of future employability courses. Professor Ali Lumsden, Director of Learning & Teaching, College of Arts & Social Sciences discussed the importance of external organisations as educational allies in a short presentation, which was followed by an innovative curriculum design exercise delivered Dr Mary Pryor, Senior Teaching Fellow, School of Divinity, History & Philosophy.
Talking about the event, Professor Kath Shennan, Convener of the University’s Quality Assurance Committee said: “The University’s new Strategic Plan reaffirms the University’s commitment to developing employable graduates with the requisite skills and knowledge to succeed in a changing employment market. The Symposium has provided a timely opportunity to reflect on both embedding and evaluating work-related learning in the academic curriculum.”
The event also provided a valuable opportunity for organisations to explore and influence the direction of our curriculum-based employability provision at the University.
Peter Fantom, Head of the Careers Service said: “Organisations play an essential role in delivering work-related learning to students and often open up a range of career opportunities that they might not have been aware of otherwise. It is vital that we work in partnership with academics and organisations to deliver work-related learning across the curriculum to enhance students’ career prospects.”
Staff interested in finding out more about embedding employability and work-related learning in the academic curriculum are encouraged to contact Dr Joy Perkins, Educational & Employability Development Adviser or Dr Zac Hickman, Employer Engagement Co-ordinator at the Careers Service.