Workplace skills

Advice on how to help students develop employability skills for the 21st century workplace, covering classroom activities, real-world experience, career advice and authentic learning models that aid graduates in the transition to professional careers. These resources look at what are the most sought-after graduate attributes and future skills today and how best to teach them within a university. 

By Laura.Duckett , 6 November, 2026

What about students who can’t take a placement year?

A mature student with her son on her lap while she works at her desk
Ways for academics and careers teams to support students juggling multiple responsibilities, including helping them recognise and articulate the skills they gain beyond their studies
Reading time
5minutes
By Laura.Duckett , 3 November, 2026

Make employability accessible by embedding it in curricula

A group of university students sitting on the stairs leading to the entrance of a university building
Sometimes, our job is not to give students more examples to add to their CV. It is to help them recognise, value and communicate what is already there, writes Natalie Freeman, who offers guidance on how to do so
Reading time
4minutes
By Laura.Duckett , 2 November, 2026

Beyond analysis: let’s teach business students to act

Two business students discussing visuals on a dashboard
How to help postgraduate students interpret real-time data and system behaviour to detect early warning signals, identify emerging disruptions and guide decisions – rather than simply report after the fact
Reading time
4minutes
By Laura.Duckett , 22 October, 2026

Develop students’ oracy with these activities

A woman on stage adressing an audience
Oracy skills can empower graduates to contribute meaningfully to societal challenges in an increasingly dynamic and interconnected world, says Paul Demetriou, who shares practical advice
Reading time
4minutes
By kiera.obrien , 19 October, 2026

Five ways to make workplace learning count

Students work together on a project
How can we make workplace learning relevant to students’ academic journeys? Ice Ko shares five lessons learned from getting the most out of external partnerships
Reading time
4minutes
Workplace skills