Bournemouth University hosted a seminar as part of the National HE STEM Programme “An exploration of employer engagement research undertaken in the SW region as part of the national HE STEM programme”

The purpose of the seminar was to provide a brief description of a variety of the employability and employer engagement regional projects and to explore the proposed continuum model of dissemination.  Twenty-one people attended the seminar including three from industry as well as representatives from five South West universities and one Further Education college.

• Overview of regional employability project work                
• Dissemination “Continuum Model” Chris Keenan (BU) and Chris Evans (Marchmont)
• Strategies for employer engagement Richard Bolden (Exeter)
• Institutional Self Review of Employer engagement Penny Mitchell (BU) Dawn Evans (Exeter)
• Using Labour Market intelligence Chris Evans (Marchmont) Wendy Fowles-Sweet (UWE)
• Customer Relationship Management Systems Chris Evans, Ross Kay (Weymouth College)
• Relationship development and maintenance:  Penny Mitchell (BU) Chris Keenan (BU)
• Graduate and Undergraduate employability:  Carolyn Morton (UWE) Kate Miller (Bristol)

One representative from industry said that employer engagement was a question of bridge-building but they “can’t even see the other end of the bridge”.                                            

In a discussion about Customer Relationship Management systems it was commented that these systems need to get buy-in from staff as well as training on the technical skills and prompt guides. In terms of making the initial contact with a business organisation, this often comes from existing relationships. An individual contacting employers from within an HEI needs to be knowledgeable and there needs to be continuity. University websites were felt to be very difficult to navigate from an employer’s point of view. Ways of making contact included using interns to scope for projects (Bristol) and using industry bodies such as the Royal Society of Chemistry (UWE).  It emerged from Richard Bolden’s presentation as well as research findings from other projects and existing practice that there is an importance placed on having a “third space” individual within Higher Education. This is someone who can act as an interpreter between academia and industry who is knowledgeable and talks the language of both environments. Staff that has existing day to day contact with industry commented that they feel under-resourced and trained to build on their contacts and meetings to develop more substantial relationships.  In terms of suggestions for making contact, it was noted by employers that leaflets were likely to go in the bin. Some defence was raised for this, by academics who felt that provided the leaflet was expected by the employer, it could be positively received.

Student projects can bring their own demands as a form of collaboration. Employers need to recognise that projects need to meet academic criteria as well as assessment timescales and guidelines. Another university representative stated that employers should not see collaboration as “something for nothing” but as a mutually beneficial collaboration. Projects and placements offer students the opportunity to learn soft skills though and are invaluable to them.           

Employers commented that they hadn’t realised how much effort was being made across the region to make contact to build collaborations. One commented “it is clear a lot of effort is being made, but the bridge isn’t there”.  There was some belief that until academic staff are rewarded for employer engagement then it won’t be a priority for them. It is research that is rewarded amongst university staff.  The seminar ended with a note that the EU target is being made that 82% of graduates should be employed within three years of graduating, up from the current 76.5%. This employment target may well change the emphasis of universities on employability opportunities. It was also felt that industry should leverage the tax that they pay to the government to insist of key developments being made in Higher Education.

Feedback to the seminar from Institutional staff

 “I found the day to be both useful and thoroughly enjoyable.”

 “We could so much more with our alumni, it seems we have a long way to go with building and maintaining links”

“I think Richard Bolden’s concept of ‘fit’ could be called ‘selfish mutual benefit’ (if we look for altruism we will get nowhere!) We need to get a better idea of what the respective benefits are.”

“Maybe there is an opportunity to use professional body links in a more proactive way”

“The concept of the third party professional acting as a link between academic and administrative staff”

“(We aim to) implement Dragons den activities for our students”

“The power of online tools for employer engagement with students”

Feedback (from an Employer):

“Key learning points: That research of this scale in this area was being undertaken in the SW, the opportunities available to us, thinking beyond just being an employer, making contacts”

“What I hope to do: grow engagement with undergraduates and staff, support and provide input into courses within the relevant degrees, seek joint research opportunities”