Higher Education Employability Statement
City College Birmingham is committed to enhancing the employability of its students to enable them to progress and succeed in a competitive, knowledge based global economy. The college’s higher education programmes and student support services are designed to equip students with the employability skills, understanding and personal attributes that will help them obtain employment and succeed in their chosen career.
Employability Skills
Enhancing students’ employability is central to the curriculum. All Higher Education students take part in an employability skills enrichment programme. This programme is delivered by members of the Student Services Team who work closely with Personal Tutors and Programme Leaders. The programme enables students to reflect upon their skills profile and identify improvement targets. Students have found the programme to be invaluable when they come to apply for competitive jobs. Students complete a number of work based and live projects which are designed with input from employers. Through individual and group work, students are encouraged to develop the transferable skills needed for success in employment.
Personal Development Planning
The college’s personal development planning process is designed to encourage self assessment, reflection and action planning for improvement. Students are encouraged to build a professional portfolio which will support their transition to employment or further study. Students’ part time paid employment, community or volunteering work can be evidenced as part of their personal development plan.
Work Experience
All full time students are encouraged to complete a work experience placement. Students are actively involved in placement preparation to ensure that placements provide developmental opportunities and support current and future career interests.
Career Planning
The college’s careers advisers provide impartial advice and guidance in order to help students identify career options. Careers staff work closely with tutors to offer a programme of activities which is designed to assist students in their preparations for application to employment through job search, CV writing, self presentation and interview techniques. An annual Higher Education Student Employability Conference is held in February each year. This is supported by employers and external speakers.
Support in finding employment or further study
Personal tutors and the student services team provide on going support and guidance to help students progress to employment or further study.
