University News Last updated 02 October 2014
Changes in the National Curriculum and recent cuts in career guidance in schools is harming a drive towards employability, according to Sonia Hendy-Isaac, Senior Lecturer in Curriculum Design at Birmingham City University.
Today’s British Chambers of Commerce survey of 3,000 firms found nine out of 10 thought school leavers were not ready for employment, and more than half said it was the same with graduates, with young people lacking workplace skills such as communication and team working.
“It is always intriguing when yet another study concludes that school leavers, university graduates, or young people in general, lack the ‘soft’ skills mentioned here; rather than looking for the ‘quick fix’ of work experience – we should consider how we encourage children and young adults to evaluate and understand their development more holistically – this requires a shift in emphasis from product-driven assessment and engagement, that is about knowledge regurgitation, or confirmation of ‘experience’ to process-driven critical reflection that creates an understanding of how and why, not just what.
“Sadly, the National Curriculum changes of this Government will favour the former, not the latter – despite educationalists best attempts to counter this. The recent cuts in career guidance support in schools will also harm this drive towards employability.
“In terms of universities offering business and enterprise options as core modules, this really is using a hammer to crack a walnut – criticality, innovation and enterprise are not fostered by enforced, superficial engagement; opportunities to develop this type of creative thinking can (and should) be designed into the student learning experience through effective and conscious curriculum design, with industry, professional bodies, and employers as key stakeholders.”
For further comments and to arrange an interview, please contact Birmingham City University Press Office on 0121 331 6738.