Listening, learning and leading together: a year of collaboration
Over the past year, we’ve had the privilege of working alongside Advance HE, Medr and our incredible Welsh higher education community to tackle one of the sector’s most pressing challenges: employability.
In a time of rapid change, shifting expectations and complex graduate outcomes, our shared mission has been clear: to create space for collaboration, amplify diverse voices and drive meaningful progress across institutions.
This work hasn’t been about quick fixes or one-size-fits-all solutions. It’s been about listening, learning and leading together. Drawing from a wide range of expertise, varying levels of development and differing resources, we’ve built a Community of Practice that ensures every contribution whether big or small is heard, explored and valued. The result? A year of rich dialogue, practical outputs and a growing sense of collective ambition.
From language to practice: making employability meaningful
Our journey began with a sector-wide survey designed to map where and how employability is currently embedded across Welsh institutions. The responses painted a vivid picture with pockets of innovation, areas of challenge and a shared desire to do more. From curriculum integration to co-curricular initiatives, from careers services to academic departments, the landscape was diverse, but the appetite for collaboration was unmistakable.
This initial insight laid the foundation for deeper conversations. We explored recommendations, institutional responses and examples of shared practice. We created opportunities to “show and tell” through a series of symposia, where colleagues could showcase their work, ask difficult questions and build connections across institutional boundaries.
As Co-Chairs of the All-Wales Employability Community of Practice, we’ve had the opportunity to help shape the vision for this work going forward. Our role has been to convene, connect and challenge, and to ensure that the Community remains inclusive, responsive and forward-thinking.
We’ve built on the foundations of previous work, including the QAA research project and the compendium of case studies addressing the “Three Es” and their associated wicked problems. These resources have helped us frame our thinking and identify areas where further development is needed.
Welsh institutions leading the way
One of the most exciting strands of our work has been the focus on language and how we talk about employability, how students interpret it, how employers articulate the skills they need and how we can better align our approaches with the language of skills that resonates with both students and the labour market.
We’ve also explored how sustainable and ethical employability can be embedded more deeply into curriculum delivery
This isn’t just theory - it’s practice. Across the sector, we’ve seen embedded examples of sustainable and ethical employability in action. From module design to mentoring schemes, from community-based projects to employer partnerships, Welsh institutions are finding creative ways to support graduate success.
One standout moment is our upcoming pan-Wales hackathon, bringing together students, staff and stakeholders to explore the seven wellbeing goals of the Wales Future Generations Act. The energy, ideas and innovation it promises will be a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we collaborate with purpose.
Building resilience for an unpredictable future
As we look ahead, the work is far from done. Employability is a dynamic and evolving concept, shaped by pedagogical innovation, labour market conditions and wider social, economic and environmental trends. The sector is increasingly engaging with questions around how best to prepare learners for a world of work that is both diverse and unpredictable.
We know that the future will demand adaptability, creativity and resilience, not just from students but from institutions themselves. That’s why our Community of Practice will continue to focus on inclusive participation, strategic alignment and shared learning. We’ll keep listening to students, employers and one another as we refine our approaches and respond to emerging challenges.
None of this would be possible without the support of Advance HE, Medr and the incredible contributions of our colleagues across the Welsh HE and tertiary sectors.
Bev Herring is Head of Careers & Employability at Aberystwyth University and a leading advocate for employability integration across higher education, holding key roles in national and sector-wide initiatives. She is currently Co-Chair of the Medr All-Wales Employability Community of Practice, alongside Prof Fay Short, who is a Professor in the School of Psychology and Sport Science and Associate Pro Vice Chancellor for Employability at Bangor University.
Bev and Fay collaborate with Medr and Advance HE to drive shared learning and best practices among institutions at sector-wide level.
Let's Talk About Student Success - podcast
Tune in to Episode 8 to hear how collective action is shaping the future of employability across Wales.
Host Stuart Norton is joined by Bev Herring and Fay Short, co-chairs of the Medr Employability Community of Practice. Together, they reflect on a remarkable pan-Wales initiative that united every higher education provider to address the evolving challenges of student employability. It’s a conversation rich with insight, collaboration, and a touch of fun.