University of Huddersfield increases employability
Thu, 07 Aug 2014 09:00:00 BST
Job Ready report shows the University of Huddersfield to be among “the top universities for employability in fields such as science, technology, design and the professions”
THE University of Huddersfield is building on its already strong track record for ensuring that graduates find jobs. Latest figures show that six months after graduation, 93.8 per cent of them are in employment or have moved on to boost their qualifications with extra study.
This is an increase of 1.2 per cent over the previous year and its means that the University of Huddersfield’s employability rate is higher than that at many institutions, according to statistics freshly released by the Government’s Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).
The University of Huddersfield’s performance has delighted its Head of Careers and Employability, Stephen Boyd (pictured right).
“These figures have reinforced our position and reputation for being at the forefront of the sector when it comes to ensuring that our graduates are able to take the knowledge and specialist skills that they have developed here and to apply those in the workplace,” he said. “The success of Huddersfield graduates demonstrates that they are adaptable and agile enough to cope with an ever-changing careers environment.”
Job ready students
The latest HESA figures coincides with the release of new research conducted by the University Alliance, a grouping of business-oriented universities to which Huddersfield belongs. The UA – whose 22 members are among the top universities for employability in fields such as science, technology, design and the professions – has published a report entitled Job Ready: Universities, employers and students creating success. It shows how employers are putting graduates at the heart of their plans to innovate and grow.
The report is based on extensive and in-depth interviews with over 50 employers around the UK and captures a snapshot of the 21,000 interactions with business that UA universities such as Huddersfield undertake each year.
The interviews show that employers are demanding more from their graduates because modern jobs increasingly require employees to be forward-thinking, problem-solving and entrepreneurial.
“It is clear from the interviews that universities are good at preparing students for this future reality, but that it works best when they partner with employers,” states the UA.
“The Jobs Ready report highlights that a partnership approach between universities and employers helps to ensure course content, and therefore skills learnt, are relevant and kept up-to-date and can be flexible to change alongside the changing demands of local labour markets.”
Mr Boyd said: “The report offers a flavour of the innovative ways that universities like Huddersfield are engaging with employers and providing the balanced kind of experience for our students that gives them the best possible start.”
“It demonstrates how University Alliance members are at the leading edge of providing real world education to generate career-ready graduates who are able to compete globally. The very essence of what we do here at Huddersfield is to maximise university and employer collaboration, thereby helping students to fulfil their potential as they make the move from university course to the workplace.”
