Edge Hill Graduates Ready for Work

Edge Hill University is making sure that its graduates are ready to enter the work place by building links with local employers and offering work placement opportunities for around 80% of its students.

Recent research by the University of Hertfordshire?s Graduate Forum reveals that close to one in three employers admit they don?t offer any work experience, yet almost half rank work experience as one of the most important things when looking for potential new recruits.

Nicola Thornton is HMSAS(Humanities, Management, Social and Applied Sciences) Faculty work placement officer at Edge Hill: "Many of our degree programmes have work experience built in to the course," commented Nicola. "Most students studying areas such as journalism and sport have to carry out some work experience. Those studying computing and information systems are offered an optional sandwich year in industry where they gain many skills that add to their employability."

Teaching, nursing, midwifery and ODP students are all required to carry out work placements as part of their professional training, and courses that are accredited by professional bodies such as journalism, law and psychology have the necessary links with industry to ensure that study programmes are relevant.

Edge Hill?s award winning Outlook programme boosts the job prospects of students who would not traditionally enter the higher education sector, by placing them directly in touch with employers who act as mentors providing an insight into particular professions. Its Careers Service also encourages all students to undertake some employment, whether it's paid or voluntary.

Jacqui Howe is Head of Careers: "This latest research has found that less than a third of businesses have a good relationship with their local university and 29% have no relationship at all. I find this very disturbing," added Jacqui. "At Edge Hill we have links with many local employers such as Fairbanks Environmental, Enterprise Rent-a Car, Lancashire Social Services, Wigan Flashes and Martin Mere and the local police, but of course we?re always happy to hear from more local employers who would like to offer work placement opportunities, or are interested in employing our student volunteers." Edge Hill holds three careers fairs throughout the year attended by around 120 local organisations, so students have access to local employers and can arrange their own work experience. It offers a free advertising service to local businesses promoting graduate vacancies and its Job Club offers an opportunity for employers to recruit enthusiastic students who are seeking work to help finance their time as undergraduates.

Employers who are interested in finding out more about Edge Hill?s Job Club should contact Katharine McKinnon, Employer Liaison Officer on 01695 584322 or e mail mckinnon@edgehill.ac.uk