Dr Julie Hulme, Discipline Lead for Psychology

Welcome from HEA: Employability in Psychology: a guide for departments

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Welcome to the workshop!

#HEAemployability

Speakers:• Dr Julie Hulme, HEA;• Peter Reddy, Aston

University;With thanks to Caprice Lantz, University of York;And case study presenters!

Fire

Facilities

E-resources

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Housekeeping

HEA’s mission is to support the development, delivery and dissemination of excellent learning and teaching in UK higher education.

We do this through funding, research, provision of continuing professional development, events, conferences….

Support at subject level is at the heart of our work and we continue to deliver and develop the services which are most valued by those working in discipline communities.

See Click Away flyer and talk to me throughout the day!

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HEA mission

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Employability in Psychology

Follows on from and complements Caprice’s excellent guide:

Lantz (2011) The Psychology Student’s Guide to Employability. Second edition. York, HEA.

http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/resources/detail/subjects/psychology/Employability-guide.

And from Trapp et al. (2011). The Future of Undergraduate Psychology Education in the UK. York, HEA.

http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/resources/detail/subjects/psychology/Future-undergrad-psych-uk.

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Why employability in Psychology?

All universities and departments are concerned about improving their graduates’ employability.

In Psychology:

• DLHE statistics;

• Undergraduate degree as route to professional training;

• QAA (2010) – 15-20% of Psychology graduates progress to professional Psychology;

• Need to develop skills and experience post-graduation;

• Issues to do with public and employer perceptions of Psychology for non-Psychology training. 7

Particular issues in Psychology

Working individually, using the index cards on your tables, write down what YOU mean by this term.

Share ideas with the person sat next to you; have you reached a similar definition? Are there differences and/or similarities between your conceptions?

Write a new definition as a pair – share with your table, and refine until you reach an agreed definition on the table. Be prepared to feed back.

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So what is employability?

“…a set of achievements – skills, understandings and personal attributes – that make graduates more likely to gain employment and be successful in their chosen occupations, which benefits themselves, the workforce, the community and the economy” (Yorke, 2006, p. 8).

Harvey (2004) - employability is a developmental process that does not stop once the graduate is employed…much more than the acquisition of key skills or getting a job…developing graduates as critical, empowered learners…holistic and inclusive approach…places the learner at the centre…engages them as partners in learning.

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What is employability?

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A ‘can-do’ approach, a positive attitude, a willingness to take part and to contribute, an openness to new ideas and experiences, and a drive to make these happen (Confederation of British Industry, CBI, 2011).

Where do your students go next? What are their aspirations? What are you preparing them for?

“…equipping our students for jobs that do not yet exist using technology that has not yet been invented.”

Reddy, Lantz and Hulme (2013).

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A broader conception?

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• Acquisition;

• Awareness;

• Application;

• Articulation.

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University of Chester – the 4 As

Peter will be talking more about the higher education context for employability, student skills and attributes, and specific issues encountered around this topic in his talk.

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Peter’s contribution today

Practical approaches to embedding employability in the Psychology curriculum;

Links to specific-aspects of the curriculum;

“New” skills for employability in Psychology:

- Counselling skills;

- Global citizenship and intercultural competence;

- Psychological literacy and psychologically literate citizenship.

Thirty-one case studies showcasing good practice in Psychology from across the UK.

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What else does the guide offer?

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What can I expect today?

Pete – where does employability fit?

Case studies and other examples of good practice and opportunities to share, discuss, ask questions.

Julie – to employability and beyond: psychological literacy.

Plenary – a chance to air your views, share your ideas, ask questions, provide feedback, etc.