This study was conducted to determine if there is a difference in learning between a required career preparation course without a client-based project (Class A) and one with a client-based project (Class B). Members of each course took a pre and post survey where they answered 59 items from Caballero et al.'s (2011) Workplace Readiness Scale…

This research seeks to define and understand the experience of adult learners in the Experiential Learning (EXL) Program at MTSU. It looks at how this EXL program prepares these students for the workforce. This has made the role of EXL programs imperative to help deal with the issue of graduates having the proper competency levels for employment.…

An important part of STEM education is students' acquisition of knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for career success, all of which emerge from a combination of classroom and co-curricular activities. Work-related experiential activities (WREAs) offer the opportunity for students to engage in experiential activities before degree completion,…

Many academic programs often require work integrated learning (WIL) in the form of internships, fieldwork, and practicums. As a method of preparing students for entry level employment, WIL experiences have been found to be beneficial by the student, employer, and advisors. However, researchers and academics commonly cite the need for additional…

Research supervisors and their higher degree research (HDR) candidates -- including Master, Professional Doctorate, and PhD candidates -- make critical contributions to research and innovation. In addition to providing research training, research supervisors have traditionally also acted as the graduate employability practitioner for their HDR…

'Continuous meritocracy' was introduced in Singapore to redefine the concepts of talent and ability in Singapore society. This expanded meaning of meritocracy serves as another way to further support the SkillsFuture Singapore movement (Skillsfuture Singapore, 2023b), which was launched in 2016. 'Continuous meritocracy' complements Work-Integrated…

This paper aims to understand the marketing workplace soft skills gap and address the possibility of closing that gap through the implementation of a student-run marketing agency at institutions of higher learning. A 2016 report from Payscale.com suggests that employers feel like new graduates lack the ability to think critically, to work in…

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 explores perceived skill outcomes among graduates of 39 Australian higher education institutions in the short- to medium-term after course completion. While acknowledging important dimensions of graduate employability beyond the skills-based approach, we investigated graduate perspectives on their industry-relevant skill outcomes from…

Tuition-free college programs are gaining momentum as policymakers address rising college costs and workforce readiness. Despite their growing adoption, limited research examines how workforce-focused eligibility criteria impact student outcomes beyond enrollment. This pre-registered study employs two within-study quasi-experimental…

In the context of the "Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021" (HES Framework), work-integrated learning (WIL) encompasses any arrangement where students undertake learning in a work context as part of their course requirements. WIL can be undertaken as part of coursework or research training. The nature and…

This book examines the tide of change facing higher education as it grapples with providing a more relevant and demonstrated value for its graduates entering the workplace. Based on their experience with the Business in Practice program they created, the authors share the rationale and practical approaches colleges and universities need to…

Growing concerns about the employability of science graduates has led most Australian higher education providers to incorporate work-integrated learning (WIL) into their science curricula. Project-based learning (PjBL) is a student-centred approach to learning that focuses on the application of discipline specific skills and knowledge in…

Work integrated learning (WIL), particularly placement-based WIL (P-WIL), has gained momentum in Higher Education over the last decade as an educational strategy for enhancing student employability. However, there is very limited guidance on effective ways to embed and scaffold WIL assessments across courses (degree programs). We present the…

Higher education providers have redefined their focus to include work-integrated learning (WIL) as an alternative way to prepare graduates for professional and future employment. Although WIL was designed to enhance graduates' work readiness, there is little evidence that the program supports the development of behavioural and employability…