Introductory description

This module enables students to understand employability as a concept and the contribution of work experience to both career development learning and employability. They will explore key concepts in these areas as they affect individual learners and also analyse different approaches available for institutions and career practitioners to enhance the learning opportunities created by undertaking work experience.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Articulation of prior experience of career development and employability in relation to work experience.
Theories of learning and career development related to work experience.
Contrasting theoretical perspectives on employability and employability skills.
Exploring the relationships between educational institutions and labour markets.
The role of policy in provision of services for career development and employability.
Considering ethics and values in relation to career development and employability.
Contrasting curriculum-based and extra-curricular approaches to career development learning and employability within educational institutions.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Knowledge and understanding Demonstrate understanding of theories of career development, learning and employability. Describe ethics and values associated with career development and employability.
• Critical evaluation and interpretation Critically evaluate and interpret the knowledge listed above in relation to own practice context.
• Application and integration Creatively apply and integrate the knowledge listed above in relation to own practice context.
• Key Skills Present material in clear written form by identifying, analysing and applying key texts and practices using appropriate and adequate structure, spelling, grammar, syntax, length and referencing.

Indicative reading list

ASET (2013) ASET Good Practice Guide for Work based and Placement Learning in Higher Education. Sheffield: ASET.
Barnes, A., Bassot, B. and Chant, A. (2010) An Introduction to Career Learning & Development 11-19: Perspectives, Practice and Possibilities. London: Routledge.
Brown, P. and Hesketh, A. (2004). The Mismanagement of Talent: Employability and Jobs in the Knowledge Economy. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
CIPD (2013) Employers are from Mars, Young People are from Venus: Addressing the young people/jobs mismatch. London: Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
Confederation of British Industry (CBI), (2009) Future fit: Preparing graduates for the world of work. London: CBI.
Dacre-Pool, L. and Sewell, P. (2007) ‘The key to Employability: developing a practical model of graduate employability’ Education and Training, 49 (4), 277-289.
Frigerio, G. (2011) Widening Participation, Employability and Work-Related Learning – What Works, Paper presented at ASET conference, Leeds Metropolitan University, September 2011.
Frigerio, G., Mendez, R. and McCash, P. (2012). Re-designing Work-related Learning: a Management Studies Placement Module. Coventry: Career Studies Unit.
Gazier, B. (1999) Employability: Concepts and Policies, InforMISEP Reports No. 67-68, Birmingham, European Employment Observatory.
Hinchliffe, G. and Jolly, A. (2011) ‘Graduate Identity and Employability’ British Educational Research Journal 37 (4) 563-584.
Hillage, J. and Pollard, E. (1998) Employability: Developing a Framework for Policy Analysis, Research Brief RR85, Nottingham: Department for Education and Employment.
Huddleston, P. and Stanley, J. (eds.) (2012) Work-Related Teaching and Learning: A guide for teachers and practitioners. Abingdon: David Fulton/Routledge.
Holmes, L. (2001) ‘Reconsidering Graduate Employability: The Graduate Identity Approach’, Quality in Higher Education, 7 (2) 111-119.
Inkson, K. (2007) Understanding Careers: the Metaphors of Working Lives. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Jensen, K. (2009) Why work experience matters: Real Prospects 2009 graduates' experiences of placements, internships and work experience Manchester: HECSU.
Little, B. & Harvey, L. (2006) Learning through work placements and beyond. Manchester: HECSU.
Mann, A. (2012) Work Experience: impact and delivery – insights from the evidence. London: Education and Employers Task Force.
McGrath, S. (2009) 'What is Employability?' Project Paper No. 1, Learning to Support Employability Project, Nottingham: University of Nottingham.
McNeil, C. (ed) (2010) Now its Personal: The new landscape of welfare to work. London: IPPR.
Moon, J. (2004) 'Reflection and Employability' York: The Higher Education Academy.
Moreland, N 2005 Work-related learning in Higher Education. York: The Higher Education Academy.
Pegg, A, Waldock, J, Hendy-Isaac, S & Lawton, R (2012) Pedagogy for employability. York: Higher Education Academy.
Qualification and Curriculum Authority (2008) The Diploma and its Pedagogy. Coventry: QCA.
Simon, R.I, Dippo, D., and Schenke, A. (1991) Learning Work: a critical pedagogy of work education. New York, NY: Bergin and Garvey.
Tomlinson, M. (2007) Graduate Employability and Student Attitudes and Orientations to the Labour Market. Journal of Education and Work 20 (4) 285-304.
Tomlinson, M. (2012) Graduate Employability: A review of Conceptual and Empirical Themes. Higher Education Policy 25, 407-431.
Watts, A. (2006) Career Development Learning and Employability. York: The Higher Education Academy.
Wilton, N (2011) The Shifting Sands of Employability, CESR Review, Bristol: University of the West of England.
Yorke, M & Knight, P (2006) Embedding employability into the curriculum York: The Higher Education Academy.

Subject specific skills

Demonstrate understanding of theories of career development, learning and employability.
Describe ethics and values associated with career development and employability.
Critically evaluate and interpret the knowledge listed above in relation to own practice context.
Creatively apply and integrate the knowledge listed above in relation to own practice context.

Transferable skills

Present material in clear written form by identifying, analysing and applying key texts and practices using appropriate and adequate structure, spelling, grammar, syntax, length and referencing.