HEAR – Swansea University perspective

Gary Jones

April 2012

Background

• Swansea University has been issuing Diploma Supplements

to all graduates since 2005, gaining the label in 2009.

• Careers service has been linked with gradintel since 2008.

• Decided to engage with the HEAR initiative in November

2010.

First steps

• Working group brought together (1st meeting Dec 2010);

• Gained support of senior management, although no

additional resources;

• Bought HEAR element of gradintel (May 2011);

• Developed awards (local level).

What is included on section 6.1

• Swansea Employability Award (SEA) – available to students

since start of 2011/12 session;

• Other awards developed to formally recognise extra

curricular activities already undertaken:

• The Swansea Students’ Union Skills Award;

• Discovery Award recognising volunteering work;

• International Award (in development);

• Research Skills Award.

What is included on section 6.1 continued

• All prizes (University/College/departmental);

• Language skills

• Mobility/Industrial placements

• Internships? e.g. SALT recently launched Research

internship programme

Where are we now?

• Launched Gateway to Employment project (January 2012);

• Interim HEAR’s produced for all final year students. These

will be updated in July, once all the results are confirmed;

• Still overcoming operational issues e.g. recording prizes;

• Identifying other potential University verified

awards/experiences for inclusion on Section 6.1.

What’s next?

• Embed employability/HEAR issues in the role of personal

tutors;

• Develop precepts;

• Register all students, undergraduate and taught

postgraduate, on gradintel (Oct/Nov 2012);

• Develop International Award;

• Develop HEAR for research students;

• Incorporate outcomes of review of curriculum.