CMI publication explores employability skills in a pandemic

Expertise from the University of Northampton features in a new publication from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

Dr Sarah Jones, Subject Leader International Strategy and Business, features in this publication, WORK READY GRADUATES: Building employability skills for a hybrid world.

In Dr Jones’ case study, she discusses how the University was well placed to respond to the rapidly emerging threat of the pandemic, citing our programme of investment in technology and staff skills, and our adoption of active blended learning, in supporting students to continue to develop employability skills in a pandemic.

Dr Sarah Jones said: “Like many universities, we have a planned and sustained approach to embedding employability strategies across the academic portfolio, developed closely with employers to ensure graduate outcomes are industry-relevant, and to ensure that all students are ready for industry. The CMI was particularly interested to explore the way that students have experienced working online and developing digital networking and work management skills, supported by the University.

“For me, the adaptability of our students is a fair reflection of the ways of working many employers will be adopting as we emerge post-pandemic. Although many students, and academics, might feel the absence of the experience of ‘the social capital’ of work – building contacts and networks, the whole physical experience of being at work, I believe that the adaptability to new ways of working and managing work is an equally vital part of their employability skills for the future.”

Ann Francke OBE, CEO CMI, said: “In 2020, the higher education (HE) sector responded brilliantly to support learners through a period of extreme uncertainty and stress. Since CMI published its landmark 21st Century Leaders report in 2018, HEIs have shown how innovative they can be when it comes to teaching delivery. The next step is to apply this mindset to the delivery of employability skills. This report argues that more and more courses need to embrace and embed the most relevant employability skills as we move into a fully digital and hybrid era. Everyone – institutions, employers, learners and the wider economy – will benefit if they do.”

Read the full CMI feature here