Abstracts

Thursday 11th July 2013

p.m.: Employability Workshop (Session 3)

Presenter: Tai-Marie Yorston, Senior Career Education Advisor, Careers New Zealand

Title of presentation: '"Marketable Identity" - the key to employability'

Abstract: In 2012, Careers New Zealand developed 'Career Development Benchmarks - Tertiary' for New Zealand's tertiary education sector. The benchmarks are a self-review tool to enable tertiary education providers to provide high quality, organisation-wide and integrated career development programmes to enable their graduates to become positive contributors to their community and New Zealand's workforce.

Core to the benchmarks are student career management competencies that describe the soft skills that young people need to successfully transition into employment and be self-managing throughout their lives. One of the critical competencies in the benchmarks is 'developing a marketable identity': where a competent student is able to articulate their personal knowledge, life experience and understanding gained from their tertiary education to ensure readiness for the world of work on completion of tertiary study. By 'marketable identity' we mean the skills, qualifications, experiences and behaviours that together make up a young person's offer to the labour market.

Where did the term 'marketable identity' come from?

Careers New Zealand's benchmarks development team founded the term as a result of extensive research and consultation with the tertiary education, industry and business sectors. ‘We wanted to illustrate the competency with a term that demonstrated the competitive edge that graduates need to have to be employable candidates in today’s labour market/ We arrived at ‘marketable identity’ with great care taking into account young peoples’ cultural needs as well as the need of industry sectors such as the ‘not for profit’ sector, says Julie Urbahn, a Business Development Advisor at Careers New Zealand.

In the workshop, Tai-Marie will share how the team developed the benchmarks, and in particular how the term ‘marketable identity’ was founded by Careers New Zealand. She will cover the range of feedback from supporters and opponents of the term, and how it has now become a popular and relevant term used by career professionals equipping their graduates for the world of work.

p.m.: Employability Workshop (Session 3)

Presenters: Shaun Pulman, Career Development Consultant and Catherine Stephens, Career Development and Employment Services Manager, University of Auckland

Title of presentation: 'How can educators and employers assist students to individually and collectively build career management competencies, so that they can maximise the human capabilities of those who are entering the workplace?'

Abstract: Internationally there has been renewed interest in career development as governments recognise the importance of individuals developing their career management competencies so that they are effective contributors to society and the economy. The key to ensuring that individuals maximize their talents and capabilities is the provision of career development services by education, training and employers. This will assist them to choose education, training and work that suits both their needs and the needs of the workplace, so they are actively engaged in lifelong learning for self-improvement and the achievement of their potential “While academic and technical qualifications open doors, career management skills largely determine selection, success and advancement” Jarvis (2003, p.4). “People need skills that give them legitimate confidence in their ability to construct fulfilling lives”.

Careers NZ has developed benchmarks that set out career development programmes and services for secondary and tertiary students to build career management competencies, so that they can make successful transitions into work or further education and training. These Career Development Benchmarks are for both schools and tertiary institutions.

This workshop will give you an understanding of what they are and what role you and your organisation can play in order to ensure your students can successful transition into the workplace or into further training. We will cover:

What are the Benchmarks?
How and why were they developed?
What are the implications for educators and employers?
What are the benefits for students, organisations and employers?
How can they be implemented?

p.m.: Employability Workshop (Session 3)

Presenters: Jane Fletcher, Victoria Plus Award Coordinator, and Liz Medford, Manager, Career Development and Employment, Victoria University of Wellington

Title of presentation: 'Victoria Plus Award - how students are connecting the employability dots'

Abstract: The Victoria Plus Award (VPA) formally recognises those students who make a significant contribution to volunteer and student support work within Victoria University of Wellington and the wider Wellington community. The programme enhances students’ academic work by providing students with opportunities in experiential activities to develop the Victoria graduate attributes and other employability skills to help in their future life and work.  The Programme raises awareness of and develops an understanding of social responsibility and leadership. It has also strengthened engagement between the voluntary and non-profit sector, the business community and the University.

Introduced in 2008, to date we have had over 2,100 enrolments and 144 students who have received the Award. All students enrolled at Victoria are eligible to join at no cost to them. The Programme is run out of the Career Development and Employment office and is supported by a range of career activities, professional and personal development workshops and presentations, many of which are facilitated by employers and professional associations.

This session will look at the importance of student engagement in volunteering both on Campus and in the community of a city University; the relevance of extracurricular skills development and the way in which reflection on graduate attributes and learning empowers students as they transition into the economy. We will present the findings of a survey conducted in May 2012 to assess the long-term impact of achieving the Award on graduate employment, social responsibility and life-long learning and consider the feedback from students, graduates and employers. We will also give examples of how the programme is supported by building links and collaborating with academic departments, professional student support services and student organisations.

Friday 12th July 2013

a.m.: 'The Value of Tertiary Education' Workshop (Session 6)

Presenter: Roger Smyth, Senior Manager, Tertiary Sector Performance Analysis, New Zealand Ministry of Education

Title of presentation: 'How much value is added by a person's tertiary education?'

Abstract: 

It is well established that those who hold tertiary qualifications earn more and hence, human capital theory tells us they must be adding greater value in the labour market - and the higher the qualification, the higher the earnings and hence, the greater the value. But those who take and complete tertiary qualifications are of higher ability and/or have attitudes and motivation that make them more successful. So how much of the extra value that graduates create is attributable to the tertiary education? And how much is the result of the ability, attitudes and skills that people bring with them when they enter tertiary education?

This question has beset the literature on the returns to tertiary education over many years.

New Zealand government agencies have created a longitudinal, integrated dataset that holds data on individual’s second qualifications, their tertiary enrolments and completions, their earnings in the years following study and their border-crossings.

This dataset allows us to examine post-study earnings while controlling for the student’s prior achievement – a major step in establishing the value-add of tertiary qualifications.

This paper present work in progress on this project.

a.m.: 'The Value of Tertiary Education' Workshop (Session 6)

Presenter: Sebastian Doelle, Analyst, The New Zealand Treasury

Title of presentation: 'Private and public benefits to tertiary education - do current investment levels reflect the returns?'

Abstract: The New Zealand Government funds tertiary education provision through the Student Achievement Component (SAC) and base investment in Tertiary Education Institutions (TEIs). This funding goes to TEIs and student contribute to the direct costs of their studies through tuition fees which are being charged by the TEIs.

The rationale for splitting the costs of tertiary education provision is to reflect the private benefits for the individual student (e.g. higher earnings, lower risk of unemployment, greater career opportunities) and the wider public benefits including higher productivity through research and innovation and better social outcomes (e.g. ‘better-informed’ citizens, increased health outcomes and lower crime rates).

The current ration of contributions towards the direct costs of tertiary education varies between levels of study, e.g. Diploma vs. Master programmes, and study subject, e.g. Arts vs. Medicine. The average ration of the contributions of students and the Government also varies by type of provider (i.e. universities 30:70, polytechnic institutions 29:71, and Wananga 8:92).

Even though, the current ration of the contribution to the cost of tertiary education is intended to reflect the private and public benefits, it is only a rough proxy. Both the private and public benefits include monetary and non-monetary benefits and are therefore difficult to quantify in dollar terms.

The presentation will briefly outline the results of recent studies commissioned by the Treasury (conducted by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research) on the public and private benefits of tertiary education in New Zealand and will discuss possible policy approaches.

a.m.: 'The Value of Tertiary Education' Workshop (Session 6)

Presenter: Professor Mark Brown, Director, National Centre for Teaching and Learning, Massey University

Title of presentation: 'The value of distance education: burden or blessing?'

Abstract: This presentation considers the value of distance education at a time when the digital world made possible by the Internet is transforming the global tertiary education landscape. It reflects on traditional models and conceptions of distance education and argues that digitized open and distance learning has rapidly become the ‘new normal’ of 21st century tertiary education.

In reflecting on the question of whether the provision of distance education is a burden or blessing, the paper challenges some of the current assumptions about the success and performance of distance learners. Using both numbers and narrative, several cases are presented which help to illustrate the private and wider public benefits of distance education to a population of diverse and geographically dispersed learners.

The value of distance education to New Zealand is also considered in the wider context of internationalization and the cross-border delivery of export education. Overall the presentation argues that distance education plays a crucial role in supporting access and pathways to development and economic growth within a seamlessly networked tertiary education system.

p.m.: 'Exploring the value of partnerships' (Session 7)

Presenter: Mr Kevin Palfreyman, External Relationships Liaison Manager; Research, Science, Technology & Development; Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited; New Zealand

Title of presentation: 'Student Internships – A Winning Partnership'

Abstract: Fonterra employs a range of student interns across a number of its business operations in New Zealand. This paper will focus primarily on one of these programmes, a Technical Internship (TI) programme that has been employing senior science, technology and engineering undergraduate students during the university summer break from November to February. The programme highlights a successful partnership between students, Fonterra, the Government and the Universities.

The operation of this programme and its success will be presented here as a case study. A range of benefits will be highlighted including for example: building research knowledge & capability: development of range of skills for supervisors/mentors and students; and talent recruitment.

p.m.: 'Exploring the value of partnerships' (Session 7)

Presenter: Mr Martin Smith, Director, Graduate Career Development & Employability, University of Wollongong, Australia

Title of presentation: 'Partnerships to benefit students, universities, industry… and the nation'

Abstract: Do universities have a front door? If not, why?

How can a 'whole of institution' approach benefit all stakeholders? And what are the systems and practices which might underpin a better framework for all?

An exploration of the levers and practices that can be used to work towards a better future, where the return on investment is clear for all. The levers may emanate from: funding and policy making bodies; professional networks and industry bodies inside and outside the university environment; technology; and the cultural change required from those working within these settings.

p.m.: 'The Value of Partnerships' Workshop (Session 8)

Presenters: Chris Bridgman, Careers, Internships and Employment Manager, University of Canterbury, and Liz Medford, Manager, Career Development and Employment, Victoria University of Wellington

Title of presentation: NZUniCareerHub – an integrated approach to student and graduate employment

Abstract: Unique in the world, this session will describe how seven NZ University Career Services worked in collaboration and developed a web portal to assist employers in all sectors recruit students and graduates from around the country with a simple click of a mouse. The result has seen increased opportunities for all university students and graduates and a system that offers an extremely efficient and cost-effective approach for recruitment – advertisements can only be seen by university students and graduates reducing the number of applications from unqualified or otherwise inappropriate candidates.

From the universities’ perspective, NZUniCareerHub provides a strong and effective vehicle for strengthening links with external stakeholders, and strengthens alumni links by actively engaging and assisting graduates in their continuing career development. In terms of enhancing students’ employability and transition into the workforce, the system can be used to integrate career development into the curriculum by facilitating work integrated learning processes, encouraging the use of an e-Portfolio to reflect on work experiences and record skills development, and running leadership and mentoring programmes. Other resources include a timetable of employer presentations, career expos, networking opportunities, career development and job search workshops.

Chris Bridgman and Liz Medford will demonstrate the use of the portal by both employers and students and provide insight into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

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