Supporting Employers & HE Careers Services through collaboration

1. Supporting Employers & HE Careers Servicesthrough collaboration Margaret Dane AGCAS Chief Executive

2. Aims & objectives • To help participants better understand the benefits of collaboration at local, national and international level • To highlight the particular benefits of having a national association covering the whole sector • To identify potential areas and partners for fruitful and cost-effective collaboration

3. Benefits of Collaboration • Professional networking & support; cost-effectiveness through development of shared resources; sharing best practice; avoiding duplication; shared voice & focal points for government and external bodies • Local & regional levels - contacts with employers, regional development agencies, training & other resources • National levels (UK and sub UK) - professional practice & development; extensive information resources for all; sectoral networks; input to government HE & economic agendas • International level – global network; sharing information, contacts & expertise; understanding other cultures & contexts

4. Achievements of AGCAS as an organisation working together towards common goals • AGCAS is 40 years old in 2007 – history & celebrations • How and why we started – whole greater than sum of parts; development of shared training, information and vacancy resources; common approaches to employersand externalorganisations • Common goals – promoting excellence in careers education, information and guidance; training events and networks; relevant and up-to-date information; developing best practice through research • Strengths – AGCAS / GP products; AGCAS qualifications; networks • New developments – more interactive website; e-learning for careers professionals; working with international students; new DVD; continuous quality improvement measures. www.agcas.org.uk

5. Key areas for AGCAS collaboration • Production of shared information resources for students & graduatesin collaboration with Graduate Prospects • Development & delivery of wide range of regional and national professional training programmes • Shared voice on matters of common interest & concern • Central focal point for leadership, consultation & activity • Regional networks to respond to priorities and pressures • Networks and discussion lists for various professional groups • Relationships with a range of external organisations eg AGR

6. Other examples of effective collaboration • Meeting current demand at national and local levels • Providing tailored information and resources • Providing work experience & part-time work • Providing labour market information • Providing central resources to support institutions eg PDP • Supporting services for UK and international students • Enhancing professional expertise and development • Promoting employer involvement & engagement • Improving CEIG provision across the HE sector & the UK

7. The challenge • Reconciling increasingly divergent institutional priorities • Convincing HE managers of the benefits of collaboration • Dealing with “time poverty” v. demands from members • Continuing to respond to ever changing environment • Responding to need for cost-effectiveness & VFM • Generating additional income to support activities • Ensuring AGCAS members are equipped for their roles • Developing knowledge of overseas markets, graduate recruiters & opportunity structures elsewhere

8. Sharing Knowledge and Expertise • Much more diverse range of student and graduate clients • Greater focus on enhancing employability & enterprise • Need for wider range of knowledge, skills and contacts • Understanding of different education & employment trends • Knowledge of different labour markets and procedures • Access to accurate and up-to-date information on above • Need to promote international mobility amongst students • Need to promote recruitment of international students and graduates to employers

9. Working with others to achieve shared aims • Developing appropriate national & international policies • Developing supportive institutional strategies • Working more closely with academic colleagues • Working with employers & getting their engagement • Working with other student services • Working through national and international professional networks to share good practice • Recognising tensions between demands from students and employers

10. The Way Forward - some questions How can we encourage & support greater international collaboration? How can student services better support the experience of students within and outside the University? How can services harness I.C.T to improve delivery? How can strong networks be developed & maintained within & beyond the UK? How can we influence government & HE institutions to recognise and respond to these needs more effectively?