UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON
EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT REPORT AUGUST 2021 AUGUST 2021 // PREPARED BY CHRISTINA BLAKEY
UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON
INTRODUCTION
Here at the University of Wolverhampton, we aim to develop lasting relationships with businesses of all kinds and help to play a vital role in enabling them to grow and prosper. Through various support methods we can help organisations to identify potential problems and, with our expertise, help develop appropriate real-world solutions with impact. The University is a major resource for the region’s business community. We believe it is of upmost importance for all organisations to embrace lifelong learning in order to develop a workforce that meets their current and future needs. Through our world leading applied research, knowledge exchange activities, academic expertise and graduate talent pool we work with businesses locally, nationally and internationally. The Business Engagement Team are keen to continue this work and to gather further feedback and input from employers across the region. To get involved please contact us on engage@wlv.ac.uk to book a meeting.
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UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON
CURRICULUM REVIEW PROJECT Employer Engagement Report In June and July 2021, the Business Engagement team conducted a series of interviews with Employers from across the region to elicit information around the following themes: The University – Vision, Reputation, Engagement and Experience Graduate recruitment and employability Skills needs Innovation and the future demands of the business Over 25 interviews were conducted with employers covering a range of sectors including manufacturing, retail, hospitality, social care, public sector, transport, digital and construction. The following report details the recommendations as a result of these interviews and how the University will work with businesses going forwards.
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Section 1 THE UNIVERSITY – VISION, REPUTATION, ENGAGEMENT AND EXPERIENCE
UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON
Recommendation 1: Raise the university’s profile amongst business audiences by articulating and promoting our high value proposition through enhanced marketing and communications activities Recommendation 2: To promote the Business Engagement unit as a facilitator / enabler of business engagement for the whole university, creating a one point of
Respondents shared their views on the university, it’s vision and reputation with the business community, their engagement to date and any experiences they have had with the University. Feedback was positive but highlighted the challenges businesses can face when working with Universities and other large organisations. The recommendations below align with the Universities increased investment in Business Engagement and reflect the commitment the University has made to our place and our region.
contact for all business enquiries, acting as a conduit for all business needs and university expertise. Recommendation 3: To develop a clear escalation process for managing business relationships, supporting internal staff to have confidence and the right skills when working with industry and to ensure that organisations have a clear point of contact for any concerns to be raised independent of project, work-stream or department. Recommendation 4: To support the development of relevant provision for key sectors and organisations to enable them to select the university as their university of choice.
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Section 2 GRADUATE RECRUITMENT AND EMPLOYABILITY
UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON
Recommendation 1: Reflect the changes in recruitment practices within careers and employability provision at the University including ensuring graduates receive industry input and feedback throughout their development Recommendation 2: Ensure easy and transparent access to graduates and
Graduate employability is a key priority for the university. Ensuring our graduates have the skills needed to create successful careers within the region is key, not only for ensuring the continued growth of our regional economy but to benefit our wider community. The recommendations below will enable the University to continue to grow and improve on our graduate outcomes while supporting businesses to access the talent they need on their doorstep.
students for recruitment into suitable graduate roles and raise awareness of the services available for employers Recommendation 3: Include the industry and employer voice within course development, commissioning and validation processes, ensuring that key skills relevant to employers are within the curriculum Recommendation 4: Include industry and employer voice from those recruiting across the portfolio in University developments and opportunities.
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UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON
Section 3
Recommendation 1: Ensure relevant digital
SKILLS NEEDS
curriculum and provision including specific
competencies are embedded within all digital skills relevant to occupation and sector in a way that is accessible and clear to employers
There are a number of skills challenges faced by businesses across the region and the University recognises the importance and the role we have to play in addressing these challenges. Ensuring our graduates have not only the technical skills for today but also softer skills and innovative thinking for tomorrow to support our strategic partners and businesses to grow. We also recognised that the University has a part to play in enabling businesses to upskill their employees, contributing to the levelling up agenda for the region and developing new higher level, skills based provision relevant to our employers and the wider community.
Recommendation 2: Consolidate course provision in line with Industry need and demand. Recommendation 3: Develop relevant module content which aligns with career opportunities within the relevant sectors in a way that is accessible and communicable by both graduates and employers Recommendation 4: Ensure that all graduates have the opportunity to gain work experience through their programme of study. Recommendation 5: Develop new provision which aligns to industry need at levels 4-6 and delivered in a flexible, approachable way.
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Section 4 INNOVATION AND FUTURE NEEDS OF THE BUSINESS
UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON
Recommendation 1: Raise awareness of the university expertise within the key sections: Sustainability, Technology adoption, Diversification and Management skills with the business community. Highlighting the short, low cost but high value consultancy offering. Recommendation 2: Ensure that every
The future for the region is bright but
student at the university has these future
faces some significant challenges. The
skills embedded within their curriculum as
university recognises that we need to
relevant to their sector.
be a key player and supporter of investment within the region and to
Recommendation 3: Drive awareness of the
enable businesses to access the
universities credentials for the adoption of
expertise, facilities and equipment at
new technology and sustainability as an
the university to drive their investment
employer within the region.
in innovation and productivity. By supporting organisations to access the blue sky thinking and world leading research, the university can enable businesses to diversify, grow and develop.The recommendations below reflect this commitment to research, innovation and higher skills.
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UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON
Conclusion Our relationship with business is fundamentally important to addressing industry’s skills needs, as well as to the wider contribution that we, working in partnership with local businesses, provide. We have an ambitious vision for 2030. We will support the economic, social, and cultural and inclusive growth of our region through the provision of skills-based and employer-led higher education that serves the needs of our region. The University has a dedicated business engagement team, focused on providing access to the wide variety of services available to businesses in the region. Even in the grips of the global pandemic, the University of Wolverhampton is very much open for business. We recognise that Covid-19 means businesses are having to adapt, re-align, diversify and change their day-to-day operations, which may be a daunting process. Our thinkers, educators, and innovators are on hand to ensure your business continues to thrive during unprecedented times and we have a number of initiatives designed specifically with business in mind. The package of support available includes: student and graduate placements, apprenticeships, funded support, knowledge transfer, research, executive education, and a dedicated Business Support Hub. For more information on how the University could support your business, contact the business engagement team at: engage@wlv.ac.uk