Work-ready graduates: Building Employability skills for a hybrid world

Liz Spratt and Matt Swarbrick, Chartered Management Institute, UK

Emails: liz.spratt@managers.org.uk; matt.swarbrick@managers.org.uk

Click to download Work-ready graduates: Building Employability skills for a hybrid world (.pptx)

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Abstract

In 2020, the higher education (HE) sector responded quickly to support learners through a period of extreme uncertainty and stress.

But the challenges of the pandemic also made the question of student outcomes and value for money more stark. With the significant workplace shift that has led to the rise of hybrid working, we need to refocus our efforts on ensuring graduates entering the workforce are equipped with the skills that employers need. 

In 2021 we undertook research to shed light on the current landscape of employability skills for students and graduates from UK universities. This included how employers can help shape employability programmes in Higher Education Institutions (HEIS) and the structure of employability programmes offered by HEIs in future.

Our starting point to frame our research was to explore existing literature around employability in the UK, in particular Advanced HEs literature review of employability. We also drew on CMIs own experience of developing professional standards developed in consultation with managers, leaders and HEIs. Our research involved mix methods - in-depth interviews, focus groups and polling with three audiences: HEI senior representatives, HR decision makers in UK business and undergraduates.

Centrally this research identified 11 key employability skills that employers want. As a direct result of the research we have developed an employability diagnostic tool that will help higher education institutions, employers and students alike measure their employability skills gain.

We have also developed a suite of practical recommendations that will help HEIs work more closely with employers to ensure that employability skills that lead to better outcomes are embedded at university from day 1. 

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