Evaluating the effectiveness of employer engagement

This report from the AGCAS Employer Engagement Task Group, supported by the Institute of Student Employers, explores the range of careers or employability-related interactions taking place at universities between students and employers.

Based on a survey of AGCAS members and interviews with graduate recruiters, the report challenges assumptions about employer engagement and analyses the effectiveness of different activities. It also considers how the findings can be applied in a post-Covid world. 

  • The careers fair is not dead, it is still seen as one of the most effective employer engagement activities for both universities and employers.
  • Before March 2020, a minority (only 21%) of careers-related employer engagement was delivered virtually and only 30% was embedded. Virtual was  not considered to be as effective as face-to-face delivery.
  • To measure effectiveness, universities tend to focus on experiential feedback, while employers look for quantitative numbers of hires or applicants and return on investment.

In addition to the full report, a summary report has also been provided.

If you have questions about this research, please contact Gabi Binnie, AGCAS Policy and Research Manager, or members of the Employer Engagement Task Group.

Please login to access this resource

FileType: .pdf