Accrediting Employability Skills through flexible work experiences

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Accrediting Employability Skills- through
flexible work experiences

• Seamus McConomy Philip Houston

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Aims for this session

• At the end of the session, participants will be
  able to
• Understand the University of Ulster context
  within which accreditation is achieved
• Recognise the drivers at University of Ulster and
  themes across Higher Education
• Reflect on the context and initiatives within
  your own discipline area or institution
• Action plan to investigate similar outcomes

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Full-time undergraduate graduates 06/07
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Raising students awareness and commitment

• Credits towards a students degree from
  participation in work related learning signal the
  importance placed on the employability skills and
  can be a very effective incentive.
• Participation in additional programmes increases
  when certificates and awards are used to raise
  the profile of employability-related programmes.
• Future fit Preparing graduates for the world of
  work, UUK / CBI. 2009

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Initiatives at Ulster

• Recognition, reflection and accreditation
• Career Development Centre service position
• Online Placement University System (OPUS)
• Personal Development System e-Portfolios
• Student-Business Link Project (short-term and
  part-time employment)

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Drivers / Themes across HE

• Recognition, reflection and accreditation
• Employability initiative position
• Branding separated from the Careers
• Personal Development Planning
• monitor, build and reflect upon personal
  development
• Accreditation for work experiences
• Third Economy
• SMEs in a Social Economy

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Drivers / Themes within your discipline area or
institution

• Recognition, reflection and accreditation
• Personal Development Planning
• Employability enhancement
• Wider options for gaining work experience
• Resources to support learning
• Student expectation
• Labour market fluctuation

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Aims for the session achieved?

• Were you able to
• Understand the University of Ulster context
  within which accreditation is delivered
• Recognise the drivers at University of Ulster and
  themes across Higher Education
• Reflect on the context and initiatives within
  your own discipline area or institution
• Create an action plan to investigate similar
  outcomes