Good people skills are crucial for getting into the graduate job market, according to the findings of an academic study published by the Higher Education Careers Services Unit (HESCU) in its Graduate Market Trends newsletter earlier this year.
The research into graduate employability, carried out by academics from the University of East Anglia, found that employers valued interpersonal skills above all other employability skills, followed by written communication skills.
The researchers commented, ‘For many employers, less is expected regarding technical skills than the one thing that all graduates are presumably good at: the ability to present ideas clearly, both verbally and in writing.’
Launch of the European Skills for Employability Awards by the European Alliance on Skills for Employability
Have you created or implemented an initiative that has used ICT training or digital technology skills development to raise employment prospects and improve digital and social inclusion? If so, you should enter the European Skills for Employability Awards,a development of the Skills for Employability Laboratory facilitated by CSR Europe and Econet. Read more here
At a recent TED event (Canada) Cameron Herold makes the case for parenting and education that helps would-be entrepreneurs flourish — as kids and as adults.
An entrepreneur since childhood, Cameron Herold wants parents and teachers to recognize — and foster — entrepreneurial talent in children. Bored in school, failing classes, at odds with peers: “This child might be an entrepreneur”.
David Willetts, the new minister of state for universities and science, has called for universities to publish “employability statements”, to help students to become job-ready in the widest sense. The aim is to have the statements in place by the end of August, to enable university applicants for the academic year 2011/12 to make better-informed choices. Read more here…
There have been some exciting developments with XING over the last few months which we wanted to share with you
What has been happening with XING?
• Social enterprise cards, team guides and scenarios are now available.
• New XING materials and prices guide – A new menu listing all the XING materials is now available.
• Scenarios for Chemistry – now available following a request from Plymouth University
• Date for your diary – FLUX 2011 will take place on April 4-6th. You can view highlights of FLUX 2010 here. Let us know if you are considering entering a team for 2011 or if you need further information.
News from XING users
Lancaster University will be demonstrating XING to students and lecturers at the Beijing University of foreign studies in China this June.
The University of Plymouth are hoping to use XING as part of a project funded by the British Council in Sri Lanka. They will be working with their partners, the Universities of Colombo and Kelaniya to develop collaborative delivery of enterprise education.
To find out how XING is being used at other universities click here.
XING in development
We are in the first stages of developing a new card set, glossary and case-studies specifically focussed on planning media projects. This is part of our development for the creative industries. Many of you have been in touch saying there is clear need for this.
The question is how far do we go? James was recently chatting with Chris Thompson at Ravensbourne College of Design and communication who suggested ‘not to water it down too much, we need to inspire not just freelancers and small agencies, but also plant the seed for our most talented to go on to create world class creative businesses as many in the UK have already done’. Let us know your thoughts.
XING is an ever-developing tool, so keep us updated with news about how you are using XING and suggestions for other areas we could target.
Loretta Omari-Asor was at Flux 2010 as a member of the Nottingham Trent University team. Studying for a degree in Business Marketing Loretta believes that following her experience at this year’s FLUX Business Challenge she has secured her desired role as Marketing Executive with the UK’s leading global information services organisation. Read more about Loretta here – Loretta’s profile
Organised volunteering and work experience has long been a vital companion to university degree courses. Usually it is left to employers to deduce the potential from a list of extracurricular adventures on a graduate’s CV, but now the University of Bristol has launched an award to formalise the achievements of students who devote time to activities outside their courses. Bristol PLuS aims to boost students in an increasingly competitive jobs market by helping them acquire work and life skills alongside academic qualifications. here
Do you have a passion for entrepreneurship and for enterprising students?Kingston University is looking for an inspirational individual to take up the role of Entrepreneurship Project Officer. The role will co-ordinate, develop, promote and review entrepreneurship activities across the University. In addition the role mentors and coaches students and alumni designed to develop enterprising attitudes and skills and to start new enterprises.
Working Knowledge has entered the Barclays “Take One Small Step” business competition (https://www.takeonesmallsetep.co.uk/Entry/View/2474) which is a national business competition with regional prizes of £50k in cash. £50,000 would enable us to build capacity to deliver events to 5,000 more students and 1,000 employers this year and then enable those colleges to continue to provide the same every year thereafter. Read more here
Daniella Means was at Flux 2010 as a member of the University of Nottingham team. Brought up in Hong Kong and with a family history in branding, Daniella is herself studying management with a view to a career in sports marketing. read more about Daniella here – Daniella’s profile
