October 14, 2011, by Toby Cope

Impact: Will you help promote the employability of our graduates?

In the last few weeks, you’ve probably seen or heard about ‘Impact: The Nottingham Campaign.‘ It’s the University’s new appeal which will raise £150m over the next five years to help establish an even more diverse student body, provide a richer student experience, transform research programmes and make an even greater contribution to the global communities the University serves. The Nottingham Advantage Award is part of  ‘The Nottingham Experience’ strand of the campaign, which has the strapline of ‘Support success. Broaden horizons. Provide the very best.’

The Award fits into this as something that makes Nottingham a unique place to study and community to be part of. We all know that competition in the global employment market is fiercer than ever and that employers expect much more from prospective graduate recruits than a good degree. The Award helps students to develop skills such as leadership, organisation, communication and teamwork – great preparation for the world of work and a way to stand out from the crowd.

Watch Vicky Mann, Nottingham Advantage Award Manager, talk about the impact of the Award

Launched in 2008, the Award is voluntary, open to students at our UK, China and Malaysia campuses and is in addition to academic studies. It allows students to recognise, develop and articulate competencies and skills crucial for graduate employability. Students choose modules, which focus on developing key attributes, such as oral and written communication, teamwork,  self management and learner autonomy, problem solving and critical thinking, commercial awareness, information technology and numeracy, environmental citizenship and employability and a global perspective. The emphasis upon reflective practice is built into all modules and allows students to develop greater self-awareness and techniques for self improvement. Over 75% of the modules are delivered in collaboration with employers, helping students to associate academic learning with the professional context of the global employment market.

Earlier this year, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor David Greenaway described the Award as ‘what a Nottingham education is all about.’ Click here to see his full message, in which he talks about his belief in the value of the Award.

‘Impact: The Nottingham Campaign’ officially launches this Monday, 17 October, in a series of high-profile events at the University. For more details about the campaign and how to contribute, please visit our page on the ‘Impact’ website – click here.

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