1. Embedding employability skills into an action learning module
Sharron Kuznesof and Helen Mason
Lightening Talk: LSEC 21st March 2018

2. How might we develop students as whole people, preparing them to flourish for futures we can’t predict?
2018 Assessment Centre Interview for New Product Development Placement. “… the interviewers will be looking for evidence that you have demonstrated the behaviours, which support success in the role. They will ask for specific examples of situations or activities you have been involved in and may ask additional questions to build a more detailed picture of the event or activity…”
The Behaviours:
Collaboration and teamwork
Communication
Results focus
Reasoning
Service focus
Positivity
Understanding company ethos

3. Employability Skills
Wakeham Review (2016) STEM graduates require work experience and a strong set of ‘soft’ or ‘work ready’ skills.
Embedding employability skills into an active learning module
ULTSEC Innovation Fund (2017)
Focus groups (n=3) with placement students
Essential and desirable skills during placement; preparedness for placement; opportunities for skills development within degree.

4. Employability skills literacy
Accurate but limited descriptions of employability skills (notwithstanding placement experiences).
Students had not fully considered work-related skills and were surprised by some of the skills on an elicitation list

5. Make it relevant
“employers will look for work experience more than your degree”
“it doesn’t happen if it doesn’t count”
“it would be better to have to opt-out than to opt-in to it”

6. Recommendations
Signpost the students to the skills that are being developed in their modules and require the students to reflect upon them.
Provide formative and summative assessment opportunities that incorporate skills development, e.g. time-limited problem -solving to enable students to demonstrate adaptability, team working, presentation and response to pressure.
Incorporate Careers Advisory Service expertise into modules e.g. psychometric tests to promote self-awareness.

7. Thank you!