A presentation from the STEM Annual Conference 2014.
In a survey conducted by the Association of Graduate Recruiters the top five skills shortages in graduates were commercial awareness communication skills leadership ability to work in a team and problem solving. To address this skills gap and with the financial support of a University seedcorn grant and from BP we have developed the “Oil Business Game ” which promotes not only these skills but encourages enterprise and entrepreneurial behaviours. The learning feeds forward into a team project that is motived and managed by external “clients” from companies charities and NGOs and that simulates real life situations and enhances employability. Learning continues through a formatively assessed personal reflection and an appreciation of the need for continued professional development. During the presentation I will describe the key elements of the Game. We can then explore how through role play students learn: 1) how personal knowledge team work effective division of labour and good command of geology play a key role in business decision making 2) how to cope with uncertainty and real deadlines in a competitive business environment 3) how to manage risk and the conflict between fact finding and short deadlines 4) improve their communication and job seeking skills.
Despite the oil focus the general principles and methods of the Game including the associated spreadsheets are adaptable to a range of settings. Perhaps the greatest asset of the Game is that learning is occurring through competition and is fun with no attention paid to marks and grades.
