Employability Statement
The University of Chichester gives high priority to supporting our students in readiness for employment when they leave. Chichester offers a student experience that's nationally recognised as being of high quality, a high rate of graduate employment and the environment to enable students to reach their full potential.
Students are supported by the University Careers Service which is available to all students at all stages of the student life-cycle including after graduating. The service promotes part-time and temporary jobs, encourages volunteering and helps students to translate their broad experience and achievements into strong applications and confident interviews. The team also works with academic staff to deliver tailored sessions for their students. Lively workshops are held throughout the year to support students in key areas such as CV building, developing interview skills and making career choices.
Throughout their programme of study students are encouraged to engage actively in a process of personal development planning. This enables students to reflect on their learning and both recognise and articulate the development of employability skills. The process also helps to identify personal goals and translate these into clear and manageable targets.
The University works hard to create and develop vital engagement with employers. Whether large or small, local or national, staff at the University make sure that employers are continuously involved in course design, teaching, work-based learning, research and placements. In conjunction with the Students' Union an annual Careers Fair is staged to give students direct contact with employers and recruiting organisations. The Students' Union also actively promotes a wide range of employed and volunteer opportunities which greatly enhance employability.
A large proportion of students, including those on non-vocational courses are given opportunities to take placements; these provide excellent opportunities to appreciate the range and scope of employability skills developed through study. Many of those in vocational courses generate significant employment opportunities through their placement employers.
The Employer Engagement team has developed a successful internship programme for graduates of all disciplines in West Sussex. The University is committed as an active partner in a critical project to help regional graduates source high level employment opportunities in the area.
An enterprise module will be available to the majority of students, particularly in non-vocational subjects. Not just concerned with setting-up and running a business this is also about developing an entrepreneurial attitude; being creative, taking the initiative and taking responsibility. The development of a Chichester Award will further encourage, support and articulate the employability skills of graduates through a portfolio of volunteering, work experience, written projects and through guided workshops.
The University has a proud record for promoting diversity and encouraging participation in Higher Education and many students come from non-traditional backgrounds and without the advantages of a family network of university experience. A wide range of support is available to enable all students to seize the opportunities to maximise their experience and reach their potential.
More information is available at: www.chi.ac.uk/careers