Approaches to Employer Engagement An Institutional Response

An Institutional Response to Employer Engagement Kingston University Deborah Lock Executive Director, Enterprise

Overview of session Employer engagement business imperative Institutional response Key challenges Next steps for KU Next steps for you – the workshop element!

Employer engagement business imperative Very successful institution, 10 years of growth now on the cusp of X lean years Competitive edge not looking quite as competitive as it once was – perhaps a little bit frowsy on the edges Locking down of the ASNs for the next couple of years Internal systems & processes outdated and fragmented Benevolent leadership style under-pressure Leading through times of immense change requires directive but inclusive leadership Geographical advantage becoming increasing apparent Innovation & higher level skills development to soften the impact of the credit crunch and increase the UK’s competitive edge If we do not act now, we will ‘miss the boat’

Key challenges Agreeing meaning Getting buy-in Identifying the ‘what’s new factor’ in an institution with a track record in professional education Embedding employer engagement within the core strands of university activity Research Teaching & Learning Enterprise

How to apply new knowledge?  How to determine future needs? Teaching & Learning Research & enterprise Comprehensive Engagement = Wide reaching & sustainable Knowledge Exchange Users University The KU Employer-Engagement cycle Employers

Institutional response 1.Management structure 2.Infrastructure 3.Behavioural / cultural shift 4.3 x C’s approach adopted Clarify The offering - what success looks like for the employer & the institution Connectivity Who is responsible for what and are all parties that should be talking to each other talking and sharing knowledge Consistency All students, employers should have the same experience when dealing with the University e.g business engagement protocols / behaviours, CRM, key account management plans

Business Engagement Network Business Engagement Network Enterprise Support Services Careers & Employability Workforce Development Innoversity External Affairs Faculties Knowledge Transfer Strategic Alliance Development Student enterprise STEP; LIPP, placements Joint projects & innovations Enhanced Student - Business Engagement EE & higher level skills development

Workshop questions 1.What are the structures that enable HE to play an effective role in the skills agenda? 1.Are HE systems mature enough to address the needs of successful employer engagement 2.What skills are necessary within the institution to support an employer-led curriculum? 3.What are the main barriers to effective employer engagement in your own institutions and how should these be addressed? 4.How do the enterprise & employer engagement agendas complement each other, and how does this influence the institutional structure? 5.How should HEIs measure their employer engagement interaction?

Approaches to Employer Engagement An Institutional Response