NEWS - HE NEWS

1994 Group report calls on Universities, Employers and Government to support programmes to enhance Graduate Employability

Published on 19 November 2009

Universities, employers and the Government must do more to support programmes and awards that enhance graduate employability according to a report launched today (Thursday) by the 1994 Group of leading research-intensive universities.

Professor Janice Kay, Chair of the 1994 Group’s Student Experience Policy Group and Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Exeter said:

“The graduate employment market is extremely competitive. It is crucial that students are well equipped whilst at university to progress and achieve their potential in the workplace.”

“1994 Group universities are working with their students’ unions and employers to offer activities beyond the curriculum that give their students the opportunity to broaden their university experience and enhance their employability. There is a growing commitment from our universities to bring together such activity and formally recognising it through the development of ‘awards’ that sit alongside students’ academic achievement. We urge universities, government and businesses to support and enhance these important awards.“

Miles Templeman, Director General of the Institute of Directors (IoD) said:

“Employers greatly value the knowledge and skills that graduates develop whilst studying at university, along with the skills and experience they gain from undertaking activities beyond the curriculum. The most employable graduates are those who not only have this blend of skills, but who are able to demonstrate and articulate how they have developed their skills and why they are important. The co-curricular awards which the 1994 Group has highlighted are an excellent way to enhance graduate employability and should be strongly supported.”

Richard Budden, Vice-President Union Development, National Union of Students (NUS) said:

“Co-curricular activities are fundamental to a well rounded student experience. Students' unions are absolutely at the heart of delivering this and transforming the lives of thousands of students every year. The transformational power of the co-curricular should never be underestimated in terms of retention, achievement and employability.”

The report ‘Beyond the Curriculum’ analyses opportunities for universities to enhance students employability and future life choices, highlights examples of successful schemes and sets out recommendations for universities, employers and government to develop the programmes and awards.

Key recommendations in the report include:

• Government should show its support for co-curricular activity by creating incentives for employers to become involved, such as a scheme in which government matches employers’ contributions.
• Involving partners such as students’ unions and employers is fundamental for the success of co-curricular awards and activities. Awards should aim to enhance both employability and the student experience.
• Employer involvement must be sought from an early stage of development and at all key stages and on a regular basis to ensure that the awards meaningfully address employability. At the assessment stage is crucial to endow the awards with credibility in employers’ eyes. Multiple employers should be approached in order to benefit from varied viewpoints and diverse experiences.
• Co-curricular activities should be as widely accessible as possible and have sufficient flexibility to cater to the wide-range of needs and commitment within the student body.
• Management and co-ordination of awards requires dedicated staff and input from a range of individuals from both academic and support divisions.

Notes to Editors

1. The full report ‘Beyond the Curriculum – opportunities to enhance students employability and future life choices’ is available at www.1994group.ac.uk from Thursday 19th November.
2. Co-curricular awards highlighted in the report are endorsed by a range of organisations including the Institute of Directors, the London Chambers of Commerce, LloydsTSB, Ernst and Young, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, the National Union of Students, Accenture, BP and a wide range of other employers.
3. The 1994 Group represents 19 of UK’s leading student-focused research-intensive universities. It was established in 1994 to promote excellence in University research and teaching. 7 of the top 10 universities for student experience are 1994 Group Universities (2009 National Student Survey) 1994 Group members include 10 of the top 18 universities in the UK in The Guardian University Guide League Table published on the 12th May 2009.
4. Press Enquiries, a copy of the full report or interviews please contact Alistair Jarvis, Director of Communications, 1994 Group. Tel: 0207 872 5596. Email: alistair.jarvis@1994group.co.uk
5. The 1994 Group represents: University of Bath, Birkbeck University of London, Durham University, University of East Anglia, University of Essex, University of Exeter, Goldsmiths University of London, Institute of Education University of London, Royal Holloway University of London, Lancaster University, University of Leicester, Loughborough University, Queen Mary University of London, University of Reading, University of St Andrews, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of Surrey, University of Sussex, University of York.