1. Developing the GENE Pool
The challenges and
benefits of developing
a collaborative
employer forum
Anne Hillary
University of East Anglia, Norwich

2. Background: Graduate Employment for Norfolk’s Economy GENE
GradsNorfolk – a local authority funded project to promote graduate employability in partnership with Norfolk Network - ‘Bridging the employability gap’
Project with a wider county- approach
(i.e. not just UEA)
GENE established in October 2008 after employer breakfast meeting
Replaced Careers Centre Steering Group

3. Why & Who?
Within UEA – C&E steering group requirement for consultation on new course developments
Increasing sectoral approach (reflecting the sector-based Sub Regional Economic Partnership at that time)
Local FE/HE representation + academic, SU and support staff UEA
Business support organisations
Local and national recruiters
SME’s (Important)

4. What?
Affiliation rather than membership
Bi-Monthly meetings
Sector focus as well as skills debates
Themes proposed by GENE coordinator in consultation with members
LinkedIn and (currently slight) web presence
Grown to 250 members with meeting attendance ranging from , but input electronically on topics
Course development & research
Recommendations to staff
Event support

7. Special subjects (reflecting ‘our’ needs + the wider economy)
GENE Global – 2011 – internationalisation of the workforce, developing new markets overseas, international internships
Creative Industries
Financial Industries
ICT/Creative Industries
Internships – Good practice and National Minimum Wage

8. Benefits?
Employer perception – want to deal with ‘Education’ not education institutions when it comes to employability
Greater understanding of HE/FE process and what is ‘contained’ within a Level 4 + qualification
‘Pool’ of employers to contact
Greater connection on employability within university
In 2010, appointed as the organisation to represent Higher Level Skills in Norfolk on the Norfolk Employment and Skills Board (which feeds into New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership)

9. What they say about GENE
Employer:
“GENE provides a rare and valued opportunity to bring key players from the public, private and education sectors around a common table to discuss, debate and initiate actions to better match and prepare graduates to the needs of employers”
Academic:
“For us, GENE goes beyond a discussion and information forum, it has enabled us to become part of a dedicated and motivated team, not just increasing our understanding of the issues, but participating in actions that directly influence the quality of our likely future staff”.

10. Challenges?
Growing the network in a meaningful fashion
Encouraging debate between, and in place of, meetings
Resources
Employer/Educator balance - keeping it meaningful for the employer
Actions not words - making sure something happens 

11. Aspirations?
Grow the membership
More smaller task-groups to work on course development/sector issues etc
Engage non-engaged academics - that they see the value of such interactions
Proper website - resources and information online + RSS feeds and improved online interaction
More time………