15 June 2009

Graduate skills award to boost employability

The University of Dundee is set to launch an innovative new award scheme aimed at boosting the employability of graduates entering the jobs market for the first time.

From the next academic year onwards, all students will have the opportunity to participate in the Dundee Graduate Skills Award, an initiative that provides employers with more information about the qualities that graduates possess.

Students who register for the Award will, on graduation, receive a certificate detailing the experience, skills and attributes that they have acquired in addition to their academic achievements during their period of undergraduate study

It will build on career development programmes already available at the University, and raise awareness of the importance of employability. The Awards will be distinguished in the categories of Gold, Silver and Bronze, and will encourage students to widen and deepen the range of the employment-linked achievements they add to their Graduate Skills portfolio.

The scheme will be officially unveiled at the annual 'Today’s Students: Tomorrow’s Graduates' conference which takes place at the University’s Dalhousie Building on Thursday, June 18th.

University Vice Principal Professor Christopher Whatley, who is Chair of the Employability Working Group, said, 'The University is proud of the achievements of our graduates and believes they are well-prepared for the challenges they face after graduation.'

'At this time of economic difficulty we recognise that the search for graduate level employment is going to be extremely competitive, but even in better times we are keen to ensure that our graduates have the best possible platform from which to enter the world of work.'

'The launch of the Dundee Graduate Skills Award acknowledges the increasingly challenging environment faced by our graduates and aims to capitalise on the investment of students, their families, and the Scottish Funding Council.'

'By recognising, developing and harnessing the talents of our graduates, the Dundee Graduate Skills Award will help ensure that for individuals, employers and society, that investment will produce a very high rate of return.'

The scheme has been developed over the past eight months by the Employability Working Group, which comprises academics from all parts of the University, as well as representatives of employer groups. The DGSA has already been endorsed by several graduate employers and business organisations, including the Dundee Camber of Commerce.

Particular focus will be placed on the encouragement of enterprise, extra-curricular activities, volunteering and student politics by showing how participation has helped the students develop leadership, responsibility, self-confidence, effective communication, and ability to work in a team.

Points will be awarded for activities, weighted according to the extent which it helps students develop skills, knowledge and attributes desired by employers. Professor Whatley is confident a large number of students recognise the importance of employability and sign up for the Graduate Skills Award scheme.

'Our ambition is that employers should look to the University of Dundee as a provider of first-class graduates, regardless of social or subject background,' he said.

'We will help make students more conscious of the skills, attributes and knowledge they pick up, the ways in which they can pick them up, and how they add to their employability.'

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk