Employability skills, often beyond the curriculum of academic and technical achievement, are increasingly a deciding factor matching students to jobs.  At a time of downturn and international competition in the graduate market, students demand more from higher education, employers demand more from students and universities need to build the employability skills of students into their offer.

With some universities and colleges aiming to have 60% of their students graduating with work experience, the competition will be strong. Is your institution prepared?

This conference will set out, for university and college management, how departments and courses can grow and how businesses can access and gain from talented student placements, internships and student engagement. 

Also, how universities can develop and increase capacity to find and manage work experience at foundation, undergraduate, postgraduate and MBA levels.  How to build employable skills into courses, teaching and learning techniques, and extra-curricular life.

Speakers include:

David Willets MP
Shadow Minister for Universities and Skills

Tanith Dodge
Director of HR, Marks and Spencers

Julie Newlan
Pro-Vice Chancellor (Enterprise) and Dean of the Business School, University of Hertfordshire

Dr Paul Redmond
Head of Careers and Employability Service, University of Liverpool

Miles Templeman
Director General, Institute of Directors