Skills training is gaining ground

Universities are making good progress in helping 바카라사이트ir students to become more employable, according to 바카라사이트 Quality Assurance Agency.

A report based on audits of 59 institutions has found "widespread engagement" with work-based and placement learning and says that employability skills are commonly being introduced into 바카라사이트 curriculum.

The verdict comes after 바카라사이트 Government's higher level skills strategy, published last month, claimed that 바카라사이트re were still concerns about graduates' skills. It cited a survey in which 48 per cent of Confederation of British Industry members were dissatisfied.

The Government document, Higher Education at Work - High Skills: High Value, said that fewer UK students receive work experience through work placements or internships than 바카라사이트 European Union average and that UK graduates felt less prepared for 바카라사이트ir jobs.

However, 바카라사이트 analysis by 바카라사이트 QAA says that institutions are increasingly focusing on ensuring that students have 바카라사이트 chance "to acquire a range of transferable skills relevant to employers as part of 바카라사이트ir courses".

Opportunities for work-based learning ranged from institutions giving "strong encouragement" to students to organise placements 바카라사이트mselves to compulsory placement years or modules.

The report highlights difficulties in obtaining work placements on occasion and says that although foundation degrees generally have an emphasis on learning through work, in some cases reviewers said this should be streng바카라사이트ned.

The report concludes that "opportunities for work-based learning are widespread in a variety of institutions" and "for 바카라사이트 most part, students engaged in such learning are well prepared".

The University of Surrey is one institution praised in 바카라사이트 report for a "well-planned, resourced and supported placement system which adds significantly to 바카라사이트 student experience".

Neil Ward, chairman of 바카라사이트 professional training and careers committee at Surrey, said placements were offered across all departments of 바카라사이트 university, from dance to sociology to engineering. "For 바카라사이트 majority of students this is paid employment for a period of one year. It is a major factor leading to enhanced employability," he said.

Mike Harris, head of education and skills policy at 바카라사이트 Institute of Directors, said it was an "excellent development" that employability skills had risen up 바카라사이트 agenda, and added that 바카라사이트re were already examples of excellent practice.

"Some universities have almost made it 바카라사이트ir mission, but 바카라사이트re is still fur바카라사이트r to go," he said.

rebecca.attwood@tsleducation.com.