Can greater use be made of employer feedback on curriculum content and design to enhance graduate employability?

Malone, Neil

Abstract

Employability is considered important by academics and policy makers, often because it “will foster the learning outcomes that employers value” (Knight and Yorke, 2003; 1) and also because the labour market is intensely competitive (Greatbatch and Lewis, 2007). Furthermore, the strategic plans of many Higher Education (HE) establishments note improved graduate employability as a key learning and teaching performance measure (e.g. Edge Hill University Strategic Plan, 2013-2020 and Curriculum Strategy 2014-2020). However, it is often the role of the employer, not academic or policy maker, to evaluate and assess graduate employability and as such there appears to be value in exploring employer perceptions.

This paper explores the role of the employer in evaluating and enhancing graduate employability from a qualitative, interpretivist perspective via phenomenological study. Employers are interviewed from a range of businesses in order to examine three specific topics: employer experience of assessing and recruiting graduates, employability traits that employers see as desirable in graduates and finally, direct employer involvement with curricula. Considering existing work on employability (such as Knight and Yorke, 2003; York and Knight 2004; Moreau and Leathwood, 2006; Dacre Pool and Sewell, 2007; Maher and Graves, 2008; York, 2010), the research identifies themes and concepts present in the perceptions of employers with regards to graduate employability. Through analysis and discussion, the conclusion demonstrates a degree of synergy with several themes explored by Reich (2002) and Yorke (2006) in terms of the traits employers often seek. However, further observations both general and specific, are revealed that may not only help to enhance graduate employability, but also aid employers and curriculum designers in achieving the same goal.

Citation

Malone, N. (2018, June). Can greater use be made of employer feedback on curriculum content and design to enhance graduate employability?. Paper presented at 2018 SOLSTICE and CLT conference, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: 2018 SOLSTICE and CLT conference
• Conference Location: Edge Hill University, Ormskirk
• Start Date: Jun 28, 2018
• End Date: Jun 29, 2018
• Deposit Date: Nov 23, 2023
• Keywords: employability, curriculum design
• Publisher URL: https://www.edgehill.ac.uk/solstice/previous-conferences/