Future of University Skills Awards : Conference Report by Vicky Mann

The (AGCAS) Skills Award Task Group was formed in 2010. Building upon existing research conducted by SCEPTrE and a mapping exercise that identified 50 Awards, the group conducted a survey to identify the landscape of Awards and growth areas. Whilst further evidence indicates that there are now approximately 80 Award programmes, 67 institutions responded to the survey and identified the top challenges for the future as scalability (52.8%), staff resource (49.1%) and academic buy-in (41.5%).

In response to this, the Task Group organised a conference focused on Measuring Impact and Adding Value  to support colleagues to share practice and ideas for future development.

The conference keynote speaker, Jane Standley, (University of Reading), discussed the importance of evaluation and impact measurement to determine outcomes for students and recommend changes and developments for schemes in the future. (Particularly where findings can support internal priorities, make a business case and generate buy-in from a broader spectrum of colleagues across and beyond the institution). This was followed up by workshops that provided case studies of relevant evaluation projects (York, Birmingham), in which colleagues were provided a useful insight into the importance of approaches, tools and techniques to determine a successful evaluation project.

The conference also encouraged colleagues to consider how to position and develop their own award schemes light of; the new NUS Skills Award initiative; emerging recruitment practices that move away from traditional competency approaches (Capp) and employer engagement. An employer panel (chaired by Rob Ward, CRA) and a final keynote from Sonja Stockton (Head of Talent at PwC) touched on the role of awards in transition, workplace experience and development opportunities. There was also discussion on the range of access routes to employment and the importance placed upon the students’ ability to identify and articulate a range of attributes, qualities, potential, and values during the recruitment process – where award schemes can broaden in scope they can continue to support this.

Conference slides and programme information plus how to get in touch will be available on the Task Group web page.