EMBEDDING INNOVATIVE PRACTICE: EMPLOYERS AS

PARTNERS IN ENSURING GRADUATE EMPLOYABILITY

Tanya Miles-BerryNichola Cadet

LCCJ

ContextUniversity employability strategy

Revalidated degrees

Ad-Hoc/informal engagement with employers

 

Where were we? Practitioners in the staff group ALs 1 module where students could gain

credit for their experience (as special constables)

volunteer/employability fair Staff precious about contacts? Diversity of "the sector"

Where did we need to be? Employability embedded throughout the

degree

Strategic partnerships with key partners established

Consistency and credibility in the field

Meaningful engagement for students

What did we need to do? Identify what the market is Ascertain the level of interest Collaborate within the subject group and

across the department Identify appropriate resources Identify a wider range of potential

partners

Group discussion Where are you at?

Where do you need to be?

What do you need to do to get there?

What have we done?Identified 7 key strands where employers were needed

throughout the course:

1. Developing simulation modules (at L5& 6)2. Delivering 1-off, content specific lectures within modules3. Offering "placement" opportunities/recruiting and training

volunteers4. Delivering career mentoring/assisting with enhancing

employability skills5. Describing career journeys6. Delivering talks to the Hallam Criminological Society7. Offering "prizes" at graduation

What's in it…..

For us? For them?

Up to date knowledge of the CJS and their associated agencies

Value added to the subjects

Opportunities for students to consider employability from Level 4

Enhanced skills development

Access to the next pool of graduate "talent"

Better partnerships to aid the delivery of their organisational goals

Cold, hard cash!

Successes to date: Networking event Practitioners signed up to deliver elements of

simulation modules Students aligned to "placement" opportunities

for which they can gain academic credit Increased interest in career mentoring Offers of help for developing interviewing skills

and techniques Site visits to local CJS agencies, e.g. HMP

Doncaster

Challenges that remain….over to you! Resourcing this area year on year Developing simulations Ensuring academic quality of practitioner involvement Removing duplication of effort Ensuring that students develop "professional" as well as

academic skills Staff support to develop, maintain and grow

employability partnerships at strategic and operational levels

Maintaining the integrity of the student experience

……….any others we've not anticipated?

Draw your own conclusions!