employability –kingston university’s approach michael hill director of academic development

Employability –Kingston University’s approach

Michael Hill

Director of Academic Development

Employability - a university agenda• Strategy linked to curriculum and extra

curricula activities• Employability Co-ordinators in each

faculty• Jobshop• Jobseeker Boot Camp • ‘Outduction’ the final year experience

Working directly with Care Leaver students

• Fast Forward• Job shop• Student Ambassador Recruitment• Time Management

• Office work experience • developing paid work opportunities for

Care Leavers only

Student Ambassadors

• General work opportunities

• Experience

• Confidence

• Training

• New employability seminar pilot (plans to roll out to final year Compact and Care Leaver students)

External• Lambeth Council• ‘Wise-Up’ London• Who Cares Trust• Foster Families magazine case

studies• Always advertise any external

opportunities aimed at Care Leavers• Can assist with references

Other opportunities to engage – extra curricular activities

• PAL• Clubs / Societies• Course Rep• Volunteering• Mentoring• TDA Student Associates / Aimhigher

Associates• ‘Future Leaders’ – Kingston University

Contact

Michael Hill

Director of Academic Development

Kingston University

m.hill@kingston.ac.uk

88www.leavingcare.org8

From Care2Work

Jane WhiteSenior Projects

Manager

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The Aim

• To raise aspirations• To increase employability skills–

aiming for better life chances• To address diverse needs of care

leavers at all stages• To develop Quality opportunities

and pathways to further / higher education and work

1010www.leavingcare.org10

From Care2WorkFrom Care2Work

Young People are integral Partnership – young people/

employers/ local authorities/ colleges/universities

Local Authorities ‘Corporate Parents and Employers’ – we are all responsible

Working with national companies and supporting local engagement

From Care2Work:Quality MarkResources – supporting career

planning from 13-25

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Engagement and Outcomes

June 2009 – Oct 2010

• Number of Local Authorities engaged with programme   150

• Number of employers engaged                                    40

• Number of employers offering/planning opportunities     29

Outcomes

• Number of opportunities created/planned (TOTAL)        3476

• Highlighted opportunities within local authorities            3235

• Opportunities created/planned with national employers   241

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What Local Authorities Say

Barriers• Lack of self esteem / motivation• Limited educational achievement• Limited opportunities• Complex needs• Changes in schools• Benefits issues

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Pathways

• Raising aspirations at an early stage• Engagement programmes• Career planning workshops• CV writing / Interviews skills• Taster days – work places / colleges/ uni’s• Accredited work experience• internships• New Apprenticeship scheme / work with

NAS• What more can be done ???????????

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Resources

• From Care2Work Quality Mark• The Employer Handbook• The Employment Handbook (for

care leavers)• The Employability Journey• Employability Scheme of Work• The Employer Engagement Toolkit

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Resources

• Training Young People as Presenters• Good Practice Examples• Raising Awareness – Session for

Employers• Work Experience Toolkit = Coming soon• Employer Register• Virtual Enquiry Network • What more can we do re: further and

higher education??

1616www.leavingcare.org16

Any QuestionsAny Questions

From Care2Work

Jane WhiteNCASEmployability Project ManagerJane.White@catch-22.org.uk07545 422 607