Employability

The Early Years Education Department has developed a bespoke employability programme for all full-time students that was embedded within the three years of their degree in order to secure employment or progression to further study. Following consultation with the students and staff, the programme’s key features include:

• CV building, Personal Statement writing and completing samples of job applications. • Focused tutorials built into the Work-based Learning and Action Planning sessions to revisit planning for students’ employability, • Sessions from the Careers Service followed up by tasks and activities within the programme sessions. • Personal Tutors’ support with the TNA and action plan for personal professional development when conducting personal tutorials with students. • Guest speakers from different employment or settings. These form part of a teaching session and, normally, last for one day each, with supporting activities and tasks and independent learning. • Personal tutors working with students throughout the year on building their employability profile through personal tutorials and other events. Personal Tutors also support students’ personal professional development via action planning and target setting. • Enhancement is provided through enrichment activities which are offered to students through events throughout the year.

In addition to their course of study, all students are encouraged to undertake ‘enhancement activities’ during their time on programme. Such activities help to develop a broad social perspective and consolidate professional skills and knowledge by presenting students with a variety of challenges and opportunities. Many students thus undertake volunteering roles working with children, young people and the wider community. Students also supplement their studies by undertaking short courses, visits to other schools and settings and by holiday employment, as for example, summer camp representatives, coaches, playworkers and creche workers.