A paper from the STEM Annual Conference 2014.
Operational models that link employability to course operation are nascent or incomplete despite the need for such clarity. Seeking to address this requirement in this paper key factors around employability that relate to design and operational aspects are synthesised highlighting the diverse and complex nature of employability. The authors’ review illustrates the need for employer involvement but does not indicate how to best achieve this. The paper views that employer engagement is required throughout the lifecycle of the course (introduction operation and change). The Manufacturing Engineering course at Coventry University is discussed to demonstrate an approach to create this longitudinal ongoing operational commitment from and relationships between industry and academics. This level of collaboration presents a number of practical considerations around roles of academics and industry mentors as well as mechanisms to establish a common framework and language using hybrid-educationalists and industry planning processes.
