AGCAS Community - Employability

Graduate Success Project: AGCAS findings launched

Mon, 20 May 2013 11:09:27 GMT

AGCAS has launched two major outputs - a project report and a new website - from the BIS-funded joint AGCAS/AGR Graduate Success Project, which explores how graduates from a range of backgrounds make the transition to the job market.

The aims of the project were to encourage employers to think seriously about social mobility, to investigate graduate and employer perspectives of the graduate employment market and to increase awareness of the Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR) amongst employers - and promote its use as good recruitment practice.

The report presents the project's main findings and highlights important issues that have implications for various stakeholders, including policymakers, HE institutions and careers services, employers, and students and graduates themselves.

Yorkshire universities celebrate internship project success

Mon, 20 May 2013 16:26:23 GMT

The Yorkshire Universities Internship Project was developed in response to the current graduate employment environment. The higher education sector recognised a growing need for graduates with meaningful work experience, and for universities to provide effective employability development and employment opportunities. In response to this, four universities in the Yorkshire region made the decision to run an internship programme of placements within their institutions, in partnership with Yorkshire Universities.

Thousands of graduates into work: GO Wales reflects after ten years

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:33:03 GMT

For the last ten years Go Wales, a work placement project funded by the Welsh Government and European Social Fund, has been the link between employment and personal development for numerous graduates looking for their big break in the world of work. The project supports the development and retention of graduates' high-level skills, knowledge and innovative potential in businesses in Wales, particularly small and medium-sized businesses.

APD Communications win TARGETjobs AGCAS award

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 07:51:27 GMT

APD Communications was announced as the winner of the AGCAS Award for Excellence in Careers Service Engagement at the 2012 TARGETjobs National Graduate Recruitment Awards ceremony in London on 3 April. APD was nominated by the University of Hull Careers and Employability Service.

AGCAS welcomes new quality code chapter

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 21:11:25 GMT

AGCAS welcomes the recently-launched revised UK Quality Code for Higher Education Chapter B4: Enabling student development and achievement (QAA, March 2013) and is pleased to have been centrally involved in its production through representation on the chapter's advisory group.

University of Aberdeen creates digital employability skills project

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 11:07:44 GMT

OPEN (Online Presence, Employability, Network) is an HEA-funded project, created by the University of Aberdeen for and with students to increase their digital employability skills. It will be a resource that aims to ensure tomorrow's graduates are keeping up-to-date with digital employability methods via social media.

Dundee careers service runners up in Guardian awards

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 11:28:57 GMT

The University of Dundee Careers Service has won runner up in the Employability Initiative Awards from The Guardian for their innovative internship programme. The Scottish Internship Graduate Certificate (SIGC) is a credit-bearing academic qualification consisting of a six-week intensive taught module and a six-month internship placement with a Scottish employer.

Top speakers confirmed for AGCAS conference

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 12:20:16 GMT

Sir Tim Wilson, author of the Wilson Review, Dave Jarman, Chairman and Director of Enterprise Educators UK, Jeremy Budd, Vice-President of IBM, and Carl Gilleard, Chief Executive at the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR), have all been confirmed as keynote speakers for AGCAS Biennial 2013, which will take place 10 - 12 September at the University of Exeter.

AGCAS announces shortlist for TARGETjobs employer award

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 09:44:51 GMT

Six employers have been shortlisted for The AGCAS Award for Excellence in Careers Service Engagement. They were all nominated by higher education careers services. The award is one of the prestigious annual TARGETjobs National Graduate Recruitment Awards.

Phoenix May 2013 - call for articles

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 09:35:30 GMT

The next issue of Phoenix will be published in May. The editorial group is looking forward to receiving a wide range of articles on the following topics: the commercialisation of careers services; using technology; and graduate resilience and adaptability. The deadline for copy is Friday 1 March 2013.

HEAR survey findings

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 10:52:35 GMT

Late in 2012, AGCAS surveyed heads of its member services in order to gain a better understanding of HE institutions' (and particularly careers and employability service managers') experience of and views towards the Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR).

Engineering insights from the AGR Engineering Sector Focus Group

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:12:54 GMT

The AGR Engineering Sector Focus Group met in December 2012 to discuss employment opportunities and challenges in the engineering sector. The meeting was attended by David Gilchrist, Careers Consultant at City University London and AGR AGCAS Liaison Officer (ALO) for engineering, who also put questions from AGCAS members to the group. The meeting was attended by a range of engineering companies, including Siemens, Denso and Thales.

AGCAS' TARGETjobs Award - employer nominations sought

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 10:59:56 GMT

For the ninth time, AGCAS has been invited by GTI to judge an award at the annual TARGETjobs National Graduate Recruitment Awards to be presented at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London on Wednesday 3 April 2013. Once more, the title will be The AGCAS Award for Excellence in Careers Service Engagement.

Doubling of students using careers services for networking: GTI survey

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 17:39:30 GMT

Heads of higher education careers and employability services were treated to a sneak preview of important survey findings at their annual conference in Cardiff last week. GTI Media's employability survey was a follow-up to one carried out six years ago and it showed some fascinating changes. Students and recent graduates were asked a series of questions about how well their university (and, specifically, their careers and employability service) had prepared them for life after university.

TARGETjobs Breakfast News: 2:1 or nothing

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 18:53:39 GMT

The focus of the November 2012 TARGETjobs Breakfast News was on how useful a 2:1 degree classification really is when assessing graduates' suitability for a job.

Kingston Media Summit helps students climb to success

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 09:38:15 GMT

Kingston University's very first Media Summit took place during reading week. It was part of a series of activities delivered to students by the Careers Service.

What do students and graduates really think about careers?

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 13:56:32 GMT

In a recent message to members, AGCAS President Paul Redmond asked what we should make of the fact that, according to the widely-respected Futuretrack survey, over 40% of graduates had never used their HE careers service.

QM Projects: A local work experience scheme

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 13:52:58 GMT

To enhance the employability of Queen Mary students, QM Careers, part of The Careers Group, University of London, identified a need to create new local work experience opportunities. In January 2012, QM Projects was launched. Although still in its first year, the impact of the scheme on students' employability is already being reported

North-west universities Unite With Business

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 12:38:00 GMT

Unite With Business is a collaboration between six leading universities in the north-west of England, part-funded by the ERDF. The scheme provides paid placements for students and alumni in the region to work on real-life problems and projects within the SME community, thus developing the employability of students and alumni while supporting the regional community of SMEs through practical knowledge exchange activity.

AGCAS and AGR Graduate Success Project

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 14:06:33 GMT

AGCAS is currently collaborating with AGR on a joint BIS-funded project implementing recommendations from the Wilson Review related to diversity in graduate recruitment and the Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR). The project's twin aims are to investigate graduate and employer perspectives of the graduate employment market and to raise awareness of the HEAR amongst employers - and promote its use as good recruitment practice. AGCAS is leading on the first of these and AGR on the second.

University of Aberdeen: Embedding employability within the Scottish curriculum

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 10:31:14 GMT

Career Development: Find Your Direction is a 15-credit, second year, university-wide course, delivered by the University of Aberdeen's Careers Service. In Scotland it is traditional to offer a four-year degree in most subjects, and a course is equivalent to a module in the English higher education context.

Bournemouth University: Encouraging male students to engage with the placement process

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 10:32:54 GMT

A placement year is a compulsory component for the 260 students studying Bournemouth University's BA (Hons) Business Studies degree. From staff feedback and placement statistics we discovered that male students were less immersed in the placement process than female students, thus missing out on a number of early opportunities. The challenge was therefore to find a way to encourage early engagement.

University of Bradford: Using the PebblePad Webfolio for assessment purposes

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 10:34:12 GMT

The Career Development Services at the University of Bradford has developed a Masters level, 20 credit module for final year pharmacy students. The module, developed in collaboration with the School of Pharmacy and in consultation with a range of employers in community and hospital pharmacies, uses an e-portfolio to assess reflection. It was felt that, in addition to the clinical knowledge and skills required for professional pharmacy practice, graduates require knowledge and skills in the management of both themselves and others in order to be successful.

University of Ulster: Employer-led careers module as part of the BSc Accounting degree

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 10:38:19 GMT

The University of Ulster 20 point, level 5 careers module is completed by BSc Hons Accounting students in Semester 1 of Year 2. It was designed and has been delivered by the Career Development Centre for a number of years with significant employer input as a main feature. This is a compulsory, core module delivered over 12 weeks which contributes to the students' overall degree classification.

University of Birmingham - a strategic commitment to employability

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 09:26:16 GMT

In 2010, the University of Birmingham started a year-long process of creating an institutional employability strategy. The process involved robust and objective appraisals of existing employability provision, including evaluation by an external consultant, an internal review focusing on value for money, and impact measurement and assessments on whether provision aligned with institutional strategic goals. The result was the creation of a pan-university employability strategy that included sector-leading investments in its employability services.

Maximise Your Potential - an LSE initiative

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 09:18:51 GMT

Described by one participant as "everything you need on top of your degree to thrive in the harsh new world", Maximise Your Potential is an innovative way of supporting LSE undergraduates to develop the range of skills they will need as they move through university and into the world of work.

University of Reading's placement provision model

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 09:19:01 GMT

The University of Reading has developed a flexible model of placement provision that enables it to offer 'real world' learning opportunities to over 9,000 undergraduates. Placements remain optional, but over 1,000 students registered in the first year. There are three placement models to suit different academic disciplines, though departments may offer more than one type.

The Universities of Brighton and Sussex's joint careers fair

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 09:41:02 GMT

In the summer of 2011, the building work of Brighton and Hove Albion FC's new stadium was finally completed, situated next door to the University of Brighton and just across the road from the University of Sussex. During construction, it was made very clear to the city of Brighton and Hove that this stadium, the American Express Community Stadium, was going to live up to its name and be a facility for the whole community to enjoy - and not just for watching football.

Universities invest in employability

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 09:57:53 GMT

AGCAS was recently invited by HEFCE to submit a number of case studies to demonstrate how universities and HE careers services have shown a commitment to and investment in employability, post-Wilson. We asked heads of AGCAS member services to tell us about developments in their own institution.

What Do Graduates Do? 2012 edition published

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 10:45:42 GMT

What do Graduates Do? 2012 is now available to download. It is a collaboration between the AGCAS Education Liaison Task Group and HECSU: HECSU provides the facts from the DLHE returns; AGCAS writers provide the expertise and articles to make sense of the figures.

AGCAS and the CDI

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 09:01:31 GMT

AGCAS continues to develop an excellent relationship with the newly-formed Career Development Institute (CDI). The CDI has now registered its articles and rules with Company House and is attracting new members, as well as those from the Careers Profession Alliance's (CPA) previous four formative bodies. With the demise of the CPA, the CDI intends to release monthly bulletins and is working on a prospectus to encourage interest in its services.

Plymouth University Careers Service wins national enterprise award

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 09:37:44 GMT

Plymouth University Careers Service has won the Enterprise Champion Award at the National Enterprise Education Awards. In partnership with Working Knowledge, Plymouth University has used FLUX, an enterprise challenge for students, as a way of engaging students in the possibility of setting up their own business, while at the same time using FLUX events to develop the employability skills of their students. Working in teams of four to six, students have half a day to create a business idea before presenting it to a panel of business 'dragons'.

Shortage occupation lists - review

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 13:28:35 GMT

The Home Office is currently reviewing the shortage occupation lists for the UK. This includes consideration of a proposal that all occupations that have been on the lists for longer than two years are removed and asks for comments about the alternatives to using migrant labour and evidence of labour shortages. This is an important consultation and AGCAS would like to hear as many views and collect as much evidence as possible from HE careers and employability professionals before drafting an official response.

AGCAS project to research graduate success

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 13:18:32 GMT

AGCAS and AGR have been commissioned by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) to carry out research into the graduate labour market with the aim of giving students, graduates, careers and employability professionals, the HE sector, recruiters and government a better idea of how the graduate labour market works in practice.

Loaves and fishes - internship programme at York St John University

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 19:56:53 GMT

Careers services within smaller institutions often have to be creative to ensure that their students have access to similar opportunities to those available in larger institutions. The recent implementation of a graduate internships project at York St John University provides an example.

Supporting emerging creative professionals at the University for the Creative Arts

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 10:10:14 GMT

The careers service at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) actively engages with leading arts organisations, creative industry professionals and alumni to contribute to a comprehensive range of career products and services, including the delivery of a successful programme of career and professional networking events.

A tailored service at Regent's College London

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 10:06:38 GMT

Matthias Feist is Head of Department of Careers & Business Relations at Regent's College London. Here, he gives his perspective on the service to students and why he's proud to work where he does:

"What makes me most proud of working in Careers & Business Relations at Regent's College is that we offer a service that is truly tailored to our student and alumni clients, and that we are fast to react to changes in their needs.

The future of higher education in England: Call for evidence

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 15:16:33 GMT

The Commission on the Future of Higher Education has been established to address the key challenges facing the higher education sector in England over the next 20 years. It is seeking evidence from key stakeholders in order to produce a policy framework that will safeguard and strengthen the position of HE institutions in the long term.

Creative Futures at Glyndŵr University

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 09:30:29 GMT

The Careers Centre at Glyndŵr University recently carried out a survey to find out what academic staff and students in the School of Art and Design wanted from an employability event. The results highlighted the need to invite experts and leaders in the industry into the university. Students and staff also wanted to hear from alumni about their current work and how they got started.

Integrated Careers and Employability Service at Leeds Trinity University College

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 09:32:30 GMT

Leeds Trinity Careers and Employability Service plays a central part in improving the graduate employability of its students. To show best practice in the support of students and academic departments, the careers service and placement team have recently joined forces to become one integrated department.

University College Falmouth: Supporting enterprise and embedding employability

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 10:03:04 GMT

University College Falmouth is planning a number of new initiatives to put an increased emphasis on employability both within and outside the curriculum. There has already been major investment in a new employability team which now includes placements, an expansion of the college's employer liaison team and the imminent creation of a new post of entrepreneurship / business start-up adviser.

Careers and placement teams working together for postgrads at University College Birmingham

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 10:04:34 GMT

University College Birmingham's MSc and Postgraduate Diploma awards in Hospitality and Tourism have proved to be popular with international students. However, the economic downturn was seriously impacting the opportunities available for this group of students to complete a full-time, six month placement module. A revalidation of the programme, amending the optional placement requirement to three-to-six months part or full time, has given students a much wider range of opportunities through which to fulfil the placement requirement, including that of summer vacation work.

New Careers, Study Skills and Employability Zone at the University of Worcester

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 09:53:25 GMT

The eagerly awaited opening of the new city centre library in partnership with the County Council has led to the development of an exciting new campus-based Students' Centre on the site of the former library. This new Study and Advice Centre will offer a one-stop shop for all University of Worcester student enquiries including accommodation, finance, registry, welfare and, of course, careers and employability.

Give a little, gain a lot! The University of Winchester’s accredited volunteering module

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 10:00:38 GMT

During the 2011-12 academic year, The University of Winchester offered an exciting new module to undergraduate students, giving them the opportunity to complete a voluntary placement within the charitable sector for academic credit. The main aims of the module are to provide students with the opportunity to acquire and develop a new range of skills whilst making a positive contribution to the local community, and at the same time learn about the voluntary sector as an employment prospect. The volunteering module provides a 'work placement' experience for those students studying programmes which do not have a vocational focus.

UK's largest employers of graduates revealed

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 12:43:27 GMT

The Complete University Guide has revealed the employers recruiting the greatest number of UK graduates. Analysis of the Destination of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) survey shows that Boots, the Nottingham-based pharmaceutical and retail group, recruited the greatest number of UK graduates in 2009-10, with more than 520 graduates placed in its various divisions.

The National Health Service is the second largest employer, with almost 500 graduates (excluding doctors, dentists and nurses).

Umbrella careers body discusses membership framework

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 11:10:55 GMT

The Careers Profession Alliance (CPA) will be replaced by the Career Development Institute (CDI) from September 2012 in a change that has the full support of government, the National Careers Council and Careers England. The member bodies of the existing CPA are currently working on a common membership framework for their new organisation.

Gradual shift in the graduate labour market?

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 12:17:23 GMT

The graduate labour market is holding up well compared to the first quarter of 2012, according to university careers and employability professionals. Responding to the regular vacancy survey carried out by AGCAS, 93% of heads of careers services said that, in their experience, the graduate labour market was more buoyant (50%) or the same (43%) in the quarter ending 30 June 2012 when compared to the previous quarter. 79% said it was more buoyant (43%) or the same (36%) compared to the same period last year.

HE careers service wins AGR Blue Ribbon Award

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 08:16:45 GMT

The University of Exeter has scooped two prizes at the 2012 Association of Graduate Recruiters' (AGR) annual awards ceremony. It won the Graduate Development Award and then beat the other category winners to the Blue Ribbon Award, presented to the best entrant overall. Exeter is the first higher education institution to win this prestigious award, which was given in recognition of the university's commitment to preparing students for the demands of working life in the 21st century.

Graduate vacancies set to increase - High Fliers

Wed, 04 Jul 2012 08:56:06 GMT

AGCAS welcomes the latest research from High Fliers, which indicates that the number of graduate vacancies amongst the large employers is set to increase by 0.9%. This is in line with AGCAS' own research, which monitors graduate vacancies from a broader range of employers and also indicates a modest improvement in outlook.

Empower with Plymouth University

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 13:58:56 GMT

As the enterprise university, Plymouth University places employability and enterprise at the heart of its' learning experience. This translates to students as a three-pronged approach to enhancing their employability. The following is an overview of the opportunities available, as well as how Plymouth University is engaging employers to add value and relevance to the student experience.

Scottish graduate employment figures

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 14:31:28 GMT

The figures for graduate employment from universities in Scotland are encouraging for students, graduates and those who provide careers and employability services.

Careers services respond to Wilson Review

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 13:52:46 GMT

AGCAS welcomes the government's response to the Wilson Review. In its response the government has announced that it will provide some seed corn funding to support AGR and AGCAS to work in partnership on the implementation of the Wilson review recommendations aimed at AGR and AGCAS.

Newcastle University develops enterprising graduates and promotes employment in SMEs

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 11:26:54 GMT

The structure of the North East graduate labour market is characterised by SMEs and a relative scarcity of large private sector companies offering graduate training schemes. The larger employers in the region tend to be in the public and health sector. Newcastle University is strongly committed to supporting a graduate regional retention agenda and the Careers Service has consistently sought to introduce initiatives to make its students and graduates become more aware of the opportunities available with regional employers and to help regional employers become more aware of the value of engaging with its graduates.

Graduate employment figures in context

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 09:14:01 GMT

The newly-published Destinations of Leavers of Higher Education (DLHE) data shows that 71% of 2010/11 leavers of higher education were in employment at around six months. A further 16% were in further study, with 9% assumed to be unemployed. These figures are almost unchanged from last year. The mean salary, however, has risen from c£19,000 to c£20,000. What does this mean for students and graduates? How are careers and employability services responding?

Yorkshire Universities' Graduate Internship Scheme

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 08:40:42 GMT

Huddersfield is one of four Yorkshire institutions working in conjunction with Yorkshire Universities and Graduates Yorkshire to offer internal internships to its own graduates. Alongside Leeds Metropolitan, Bradford and York St John, the scheme offers 12 weeks' work experience to 2010 and 2011 leavers in a role linked to a graduate profession.

University of Derby: Careers management research project

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 08:54:44 GMT

The Wilson Review recommendations suggest that careers and employability support becomes a recognised part of the ongoing student experience rather than an aspect that captures the attention of students in their final year. The University of Derby has a wide range of employability activities that students can participate in from year one, but the challenge faced is to attract more students to participate in the activities that are offered.

Queen Mary, University of London: Local work experience scheme

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 09:13:15 GMT

QM Projects, run by Queen Mary Careers, part of The Careers Group, University of London, provides its students with challenging projects in local charities. The aim is to give the student an opportunity to gain experience in their area of career interest while sharing the knowledge they've gained from their course with a local charity in need of a particular skill set. At the end of their three month project, the student is able to demonstrate initiative and give a clear, positive outcome of this work on their CV.

Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU): BIO Employability Exit (BEE) Initiative

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 10:40:28 GMT

The Division of BIO within the School of Health and Life Sciences and GCU Careers Service have created the BEE Initiative. This initiative addresses employment rates for international MSc students within biological and biomedical sciences (BIO) with an emphasis on improving career prospects both locally, globally and in their home country. It aims to empower graduates to understand the value of transferable 21st century graduate attributes, develop career management skills and raise confidence in dealing with employers.

Welsh graduates surpass stats for work experience

Mon, 28 May 2012 09:20:07 GMT

Figures published by High Fliers Research in The Graduate Market in 2012 state that a third of graduates secure a job with an employer after completing an internship with the company. GO Wales has surpassed this this with 65% of Welsh graduates continuing to be employed once their 10-week work placement has ended.

Why don't more students pursue placements?

Mon, 28 May 2012 11:02:31 GMT

Emily Timson, Business Placements Manager at The York Management School, has completed a research report exploring the challenges faced by students pursuing 12-month work placements. The aim of the research was to gain an in-depth understanding of what motivates students - and what stops them from applying for placements.

York placements scheme: from zero to hero

Mon, 28 May 2012 12:18:10 GMT

The York Management School at The University of York has committed to enhancing student employability by introducing a placement year across all undergraduate degrees, which includes compulsory placement lectures as part of the timetable. The Management Team's focus is not only to produce highly academic students, but to embed an employability mindset into them from day one.

Survey reveals trust in careers services

Thu, 24 May 2012 14:24:53 GMT

High Fliers, in association with The Times, have released their annual review of students' perceptions of careers, career expectations and future aspirations. Over 17,000 final year students from 30 of the country's higher education league table leaders took part in The UK Graduate Careers Survey 2012. The data shows how trusted careers services are, with 93% of finalists surveyed having used the service. It also suggests more and more students are undertaking work experience and internships, supported by their careers service.

Grown in Lancaster: industrial placements

Mon, 21 May 2012 12:01:05 GMT

Interest in courses with an integral placement has risen rapidly at Lancaster University Management School (LUMS). As the numbers have grown, staff at LMUS have adopted a much more structured approach to the support and opportunities offered to industrial placement students, which has become a unique selling point of these particular degree programmes.

Generating placements overseas for UK students

Mon, 21 May 2012 11:57:52 GMT

The recent report Global Graduates into Global Leaders focuses on the need for UK graduates to work across national borders, manage complex international and intercultural relationships and understand global aspects of the world of work. Instrumental in driving the number of UK students going overseas is the need to increase the number of international work and study placements available to them.

Aston's vision: placements on every course

Mon, 21 May 2012 11:59:47 GMT

In 2010 and 2011, Aston University had the highest percentage of all UK universities with students enrolled on courses involving integrated sandwich placements or year abroad programmes. Their ambition is to offer placements as part of every course by 2020.

Coaching, motivation and employability in action

Mon, 21 May 2012 12:16:35 GMT

One of the key challenges in developing employability is encouraging students to see how skills gained in one context can transfer to another. Dr Tracy Johnson, Careers Adviser at the University of Bristol Careers Service, has been working with the Community Sports Leaders programme to help students engaged in community sports coaching identify the employability skills gained through their volunteering activities.

Build your own internship: student case study

Mon, 21 May 2012 11:56:54 GMT

In the summer of 2011, Nicholas Jack, a BPP Business School graduate, had the opportunity to build his own internship and work with serial entrepreneur Sir Eric Peacock. Nick worked on several projects during the course of his work placement, alongside completing his MSc in Finance.

Brave new world: 14-19 work experience in England

Mon, 21 May 2012 12:03:23 GMT

Changes taking place in careers provision, particularly with regard to Connexions and the introduction of the all-age National Careers Service, are already well-known to AGCAS members. But some readers may be less familiar with the proposed alterations to the status and content of work-related learning, including work experience, which may result from government proposals for 14-19 curriculum reform. Faith Muir, Regional Director at the Centre for Education and Industry (CEI) at The University of Warwick, examines the brave world of work experience - and considers the implications for HE.

Jobs On Campus for Newcastle students

Mon, 21 May 2012 12:02:43 GMT

In November 2011, Newcastle University launched the Jobs On Campus (JobsOC) scheme to provide an on-campus jobs agency whereby students can fill temporary positions in and around the university as opposed to acquiring staff through a local recruitment agency. There are clear signs that the scheme is proving to be a great success - not just for the students, but employers and the university as a whole.

International students: where are all the placements?

Mon, 21 May 2012 12:04:04 GMT

Evidence from the International Student Barometer survey shows that the lack of placement opportunities is one of the most frequent criticisms by overseas students of their time in the UK. Here, members of the AGCAS Placement and Work-based Learning Task Group offer their perspectives, including both 'real' and 'perceived' reasons as to why international students have greater difficulty accessing placements.

Scottish graduates resilient

Fri, 11 May 2012 10:50:46 GMT

Graduates from Scotland's universities are showing resilience in the jobs market despite real challenges facing all young people, according to a graduate employment briefing released by Universities Scotland.

TARGETjobs Breakfast News: Apprenticeships

Thu, 10 May 2012 08:15:32 GMT

TARGETjobs' Breakfast News this month focused on apprenticeships. The event took place in London on 26 April 2012.

Future of careers and guidance - AGCAS director's presentation

Tue, 08 May 2012 09:58:20 GMT

Tom Davie, Director of Professional Development on the AGCAS Board and Deputy Head of Careers at Durham University, delivered a paper at the recent Westminster Employment Forum, which focused on the future of careers advice and guidance in relation to schools, universities and adult provision.

AGCAS and the Careers Profession Alliance (CPA)

Fri, 04 May 2012 13:13:43 GMT

AGCAS considers it essential that individuals have access to high-quality careers and employability education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) when they need it: while at school, college or university; studying full time, part time or not at all; and whether in employment or not. We also believe that the wider national interest is furthered by careers professionals working closely together. Whenever possible, the profession should speak with one voice.

AGCAS represented at diversity careers events

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:50:34 GMT

Percy Ngcobo, a member of the AGCAS Diversity Task Group, attended various LGBT careers events in the autumn of 2011, including the CASS LGBT Society Careers Panel Networking event, the Careers Diversity Show, and the Inside and Out Investment Banking event.

Employability Awards Case Study Series

Tue, 31 May 2011 09:37:55 GMT

The Skills and Employability Awards Task Group recently sent out a request across AGCAS for case studies, articles and resources, and following a hugely positive response from colleagues, we are pleased to launch our new Employability Awards Case Study Series.

Head of the Careers Advisory Service

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:19:14 GMT

Co-Curricular Project Officer

Thu, 16 May 2013 13:19:51 GMT

Graduate Employment Conference 2013 (#GEC13), Sheffield

Tue, 07 May 2013 11:23:17 GMT

This Gradcore event will bring together graduate recruiters, universities and graduates in a unique conference/unconference format. Speakers include leading thinkers and practitioners from the world of graduate recruitment and employability.

Career Development Learning, Warwick

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 14:07:44 GMT

This course is now full

A four-day course, and an optional module of the PG Diploma and MA of the AGCAS/Warwick CEIGHE qualification.

Challenges of Careers Work in HE, Warwick

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 11:01:51 GMT

THIS COURSE IS NOW FULL

A three-day course exploring the context in which HE careers operates. A mandatory module of the AGCAS/Warwick CEIGHE qualifications, but open to all.

Group Work, Warwick

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 14:24:54 GMT

This four-day residential course is intended for careers staff working or planning to work with students and other clients in groups and who wish to develop new approaches to planning and delivery.

Challenges of Careers Work in HE, Warwick

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 13:59:10 GMT

THIS COURSE IS NOW FULL

A three-day course exploring the context in which HE careers operates. A mandatory module of the AGCAS/Warwick CEIGHE qualifications, but open to all.

The Scottish Graduate Fair, Glasgow

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 15:30:37 GMT

The Scottish Graduate Fair is the highlight of the recruitment season. Now in its 24th year, it is the biggest graduate, postgraduate and internship recruitment event in Scotland attracting over 4,000 students and graduates of all disciplines and approximately 100 graduate employers and postgraduate recruiters.