Carrick grant assists graduate preparation and transition

A team of university career services representatives and the National Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (NAGCAS) have received a $215,000 grant to proactively engage students in work-integrated learning (WiL).

The Carrick Institute funded grant was awarded for the project titled Career Development Learning in Higher Education: Maximising the Contribution of Work-Integrated Learning throughout the Student Experience to assist universities to better prepare students and graduates for the world-of-work.

NAGCAS President and Manager of Careers and Employment at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) Peter McIlveen said the project will involve five universities including USQ.

'The University of Wollongong is the host institution and Martin Smith from UOW the Project Leader. Joanne Tyler from Monash University, Peter Torjul from Flinders University and Sally Brooks from RMIT University are also involved.

'University Careers Services are a prime channel between students, academics and industry; so the project will focus on providing career development learning services to students and support for staff.'

The project will involve applied research and development which will produce models for career development learning and WiL, along with guidelines, benchmarks, products and services to support the activities of Australian university career services and academics.

'The project will examine how career development learning can assist WiL to contribute to positive graduate outcomes, including enhanced completion rates and employability. 

'Essentially, the project aims to develop pedagogical frameworks for career development learning that maximise the value of learning in the workplace,' Mr McIlveen said

Twenty seven universities have indicated their support for the project and anticipate the practical benefits that will flow from the research and developments. 

'University Career Services collaborate with one another and this project will further demonstrate our shared commitment to student learning,' Mr McIlveen said.

'NAGCAS represents the career services of Australian universities. We know that career services have the expertise and the relationships with industry to make a positive difference to student learning.

'Given this, NAGCAS looks forward to showcasing their success at the annual national conference at the University of Wollongong from the 2 to 5 December 2007.'

Media contact: Jane Urquhart, USQ Media +61 7 4631 2559