1st Edition

Learning, Curriculum and Employability in Higher Education

By Peter Knight, Mantz Yorke Copyright 2004
    256 Pages
    by Routledge

    256 Pages
    by Routledge

    How can universities ensure that they are preparing their students for today's competitive job market?
    This book tackles the highly topical subject of graduate underemployment with insight and clarity. The authors argue the case for more sophisticated research into employability with passion and vision, discussing how employability-friendly curricula can be developed, even in subjects which have less obvious vocational relevance.
    The rapid growth of higher education over the past fifty years has seen expectations increase, and governments seeking to widen participation. There is now an urgent need for the Government and higher education institutions to address the issue of graduate employability. The authors of this timely book encourage a pro-active stance, offering a ground-breaking model that can be easily implemented in institutions to make low-cost, high-gain improvements to students' employability. Topics covered include:
    * The challenge of employability
    * The study and careers of English graduates
    * The enhancement of practice
    * Assessing employability
    * The Skills Plus project.
    Based on a set of over 200 in-depth interviews with recent graduates, this book forms a unique account of the meanings of employability in the workplace.

    Part 1: Employbability 1. The challenge of employability 2. Employability: more than skills and wish-lists 3. A new view of employability 4. A research study of employability 5. The study of English and the careers of its graduates Part 2: Towards the enhancement of practice 6. How can we develop employability? 7. Engaging students with the worlds of work 8. Assessing for employability 9. The Skills plus project and Nursing 10. Skills plus and the Construction Management Programme at Liverpool John Moores University 11. Employability and Social Science 12. Principles and practices for enhancing employability at programme or departmental level 13. An institutional perspective on employability

    Biography

    Peter Knight is Senior Lecturer in Educational Research at the Open University.
    Mantz Yorke is Director of the Centre for Higher Education Development at Liverpool John Moores University.

    'Overall, I consider this an excellent book ... I would recommend it as a challenging read for all those involved with student tuition, programme design and quality assurance.' - Chris Beaumont, LTSN-ICS website