HERDSA: Skills to make students employable

[Coral Watson]

Stephen Fallows of the UK posts this message, which calls for expressions of
interest and then goes on to outline some of the University of Luton
findings.  Please address any replies to him:  stephen.fallows@luton.ac.uk



Apologies for Multiple Postings 


*****       "Skills to Make Students Employable"     ******
***   Call for Contributions to Book(s) of Case Studies  ***


Context
A university degree is not an instant passport to employment.  Many
universities now recognise that providing the means to an in-depth
knowledge of an academic discipline is no longer enough; steps must
also be taken to equip students with skills for their future
employment.

The University of Luton has subjected "skills to make students
employable" to extensive internal debate and now recognises four
groups of skills and has established a set of key principles which
underpin their delivery (further details at end of this email
message).


Contributions Required for Proposed Book
We realise that our approach is just one method of addressing the
"skills to make students employable" issue and are seeking to bring
together a collection of contributions which describe:

1.     Different models through which universities have recognised 
        the issue and have taken strategic steps to implement schemes
        which ensure that students are assisted to develop their
        skills for employment.

2.     Approaches to the practical implementation of skills 
        programmes at an operational level within specific subject
        areas.


Expressions of Interest in Proposed Book
At this stage, we are seeking - Expressions of Interest - in making a
contribution to a collection of papers/articles which focus on one or
other of the above.  If you are interested, please send a very brief
email message to me as soon as possible.

The message should indicate - just - the following:

*      Your name.

*      Your role.

*      Your institution.

*      Whether you are interested in the "Strategic" or "Operational"
        aspects of the issue.

*      If "operational" - please indicate to which students you
        experience applies.

*      If "operational" - please indicate which skill area is being
       addressed.


Further information
We will reply to all - Expressions of Interest -  to provide further
information about how we see this project developing.  We don't wish
to overburden anyone at this stage.


Skills at the University of  Luton
The University has adopted an institution-wide programme which applies
to all students regardless of the subject(s) they are studying.  A
detailed framework applies in which the required skills are classified
on a grid basis which includes clear reference to expectations for
each level of study.  The primary classification of skills is into
four broad categories:

*      Information retrieval and handling.

*      Communication and presentation.

*      Planning and problem solving.

*      Social Development and interaction.

The University of Luton scheme operates to the following principles:

*      A single set of core skills applies to all students across all
        programmes.

*      All students to have the opportunity to develop all
        skills. 

*      The subject syllabus is the main vehicle for development of
        skills. 

*      There should be a mechanism for recognising and recording
         the skills achieved.

A case study on the strategic management of the University of Luton
skills programme will be included in the proposed publication.

The University of Luton will also provide one or more case studies
describing the practical implementation of skills programmes within
named subject areas.

If you have any queries or observations on the above please do not
hesitate to contact us.
_________________________________________

Dr Stephen Fallows
Reader in Educational Development
University of Luton
LUTON
Bedfordshire  LU1 3JU

Tel  01582 489287,  Fax  01582 743237

Email  stephen.fallows@luton.ac.uk 



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Coral Watson	 HERDSA Office
PO Box 516	 Jamison ACT 2614 	Australia
Ph  +61 (06) 253 4242 		 Fax:  +61 (06) 253 4246
----------------------------------------------------
Coral Watson	 HERDSA Office
PO Box 516	 Jamison ACT 2614 	Australia
Ph  +61 (02) 6253 4242 		 Fax:  +61 (02) 6253 4246
Email			coral.watson@anu.edu.au
General enquiries    	herdsa.office@anu.edu.au
Homepage		http://sunsite.anu.edu.au/education/herdsa