Abstract
Employability has been the subject of considerable debate in the UK higher education sector for some time. In the case of design graduates there is evidence that employers are dissatisfied with their general commercial awareness. Glasgow Caledonian University's MA Design Practice and Management aims to improve students' employability skills by giving them the opportunity to spend one third of their programme working in a real-life creative company. This paper presents the findings from a pilot study with the first cohort of students (n=8) on this programme. Its objective was to explore the perceived benefits and challenges of embedding work-related learning in the curriculum. The research adopted a mixed method approach. Students assessed their own employability skills in an on-line survey at the beginning and the end of the programme. Focus groups as well as interviews with the placement providers (n=3) and the academic programme leader provided additional qualitative data. All students reported improved employability skills as a result of their real-life industry experience. The programme leader observed increased confidence levels among the students and welcomed their improved independent learning skills. Employers appreciated the knowledge transfer opportunity and valued their work with the students as a useful recruitment tool. The challenges included raised anxiety levels amongst students who are not used to such a teaching approach and an increased workload for academics.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | DS 74: Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education |
Subtitle of host publication | Design Education for Future Wellbeing |
Editors | L. Buck, G. Frateur, W. Ion, C. McMahon, C. Baelus, G. de Grande, S. Vervulgen |
Publisher | The Design Society |
Pages | 754-759 |
Number of pages | 6 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781904670360 |
Publication status | Published - 2012 |
Event | 14th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education: Design Education for Future Wellbeing - Artesis University College Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium Duration: 6 Sept 2012 → 7 Sept 2012 https://iepde.org/epde-2012/ |
Conference
Conference | 14th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education |
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Abbreviated title | E&PDE2012 |
Country/Territory | Belgium |
City | Antwerp |
Period | 6/09/12 → 7/09/12 |
Internet address |
Keywords
- Design curriculum
- Employability
- Work-related learning
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
- Education