Purpose: Work-study programmes aim to support young adults transitioning from tertiary education to work and contribute to enhancing their employability. The purpose of this study is to provide a detailed analysis of the learning experiences of trainees in work-study programmes within the broad field of engineering. Design/methodology/approach:…

This study reports findings from a higher education investment course designed to enhance skills-based learning through experiential, immersive, live, and technologically empowering elements. Results suggest the following performance for the course. First, pure popularity and peer-to-peer word-of-mouth has seen course numbers grow almost 2.5× over…

This study examines how work placement learning (WPL) might influence student engagement in practical skills acquisition (SEPSA). The study draws on key elements of three theories: the social cognitive career theory (self-efficacy), self-determination theory (intrinsic motivation) and expectancy-value theory (task value) to understand the…

Despite significant recent changes to the doctoral training environment, particularly provision of employability skills during candidature, there is a paucity of research investigating best practice in this area. This paper describes a case study in how various pedagogical theories, curriculum co-creation, lifelong learner, adult learning,…

Purpose: This article explains how business internships can be used to develop innovation skills in undergraduates. Design/methodology/approach: Using work-integrated learning and current literature on innovation, this article proposes a theoretical framework to design, implement, and measure outcomes of Innovation-Focused Internships (IFIs). The…

Experiential learning is increasingly being recognized as the preferred teaching method in entrepreneurship education, with particular emphasis on students' 'real-world' experience. This paper critically examines the adequacy of using work-integrated learning (WIL) pedagogy for the purpose of entrepreneurship education. A novel approach is…

Work-integrated Learning (WIL) can be a vehicle for the development of students' work-ready skills. This paper presents the views of undergraduate business students and academics about the role and perceived importance of work-ready skills in the business curriculum and the perceived role of WIL activities in enabling the development of work-ready…

Purpose: The purpose of the paper is to discuss the "Q-Step in the Community" programme, part of the Q-Step Centre based in the Sociology Department at Manchester Metropolitan University, designed to help address the skills gap in quantitative methods (QM) that is evident across parts of the UK higher-education sector. "Q-Step in…

This study explored the extent to which undergraduates demonstrate capabilities associated with professional identity (PI), an individual's connection with the ideology of professional practice and a critical element of graduate employability. It gathered quantitative and qualitative data from 212 Australian business undergraduates and their…

COVID-19 calls for new approaches and frameworks for the delivery of work-integrated learning (WIL). Standalone WIL opportunities are also increasingly difficult to realize, with the current economic climate limiting industry resources available for placements and WIL partnerships. The hybridized WIL model presented in this paper thus proposes the…

Human nutrition is a growing field with an increasing job market and high demand for university study, yet graduates report feeling underprepared for and unaware of potential job opportunities. This scoping review aimed to identify employment initiatives used in undergraduate programs to support an evidence-based approach to the development of…

The thinking required by higher education student engagement in research processes may segue into the development of students' work skills, enabling them to professionally transition to the workforce. However, although this transition may be facilitated before and during Work Integrated Learning [WIL] experiences, there is typically a gulf between…

As we are now approaching the first quarter of the 21st century, the impact of globalisation has increased the importance of intercultural competence. This study aims to measure the degree of intercultural sensitivity of 30 English major students who have participated in the US Work Travel program. In this study, an online survey adopted from Chen…

Traditionally, there has been a focus on the academic side of university. But with more young people studying for degrees in an increasingly competitive job market, it is now becoming clear that a degree alone is not enough for young people to succeed in the world of work. Even if two young people go to the same university and achieve the same…

In this study we explored the process by which students manage their employability, the skills and attributes gained by students as a consequence of undertaking a particular activity and how their experiences influence how they subsequently manage their employability. Quantitative and qualitative data were collated from five separate groups of…