module specification

This module aims to enable students to:
- Undertake a work-based placement
- Apply prior knowledge and relate specific knowledge and skills to real-life situations in a work environment
- Develop new capabilities and skills relating to employment
- Engage in personal and professional development planning

The module is structured in two distinct stages in order to enhance student employability. During the first semester, students will engage with a number of activities, both in seminars and individually, designed to help clarify career goals and identify personal and professional developmental needs associated with these goals. The second semester will be devoted to students working in placement during which time they will be able to focus on specific identified learning needs.

Some of the key areas include:
- What is employability
- Preparation for placement
- Self-development principles and practice
- Self-awareness and management
- Goal setting and personal development planning
- Trends in employment sectors and employers needs e.g. National Occupational Standards
- Selection methods
- Career development
- Critical reflection and analysis
- Reflective practice and writing
- Interview skills LO1,LO2,LO3,LO4,LO5

Placement / work-based learning forms a core element of this module.  Seminar sessions provide opportunities for students to discuss their practical experiences, helping them to constantly make links between their practical and their theoretical understanding, as they further develop their professional skills and knowledge.  Opportunities are provided for individual mentor sessions with tutors to discuss, appraise and plan student’s personal and professional development.

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

1. Apply their prior learning in an appropriate work environment and relate specific knowledge and skills to real-life work situations (journal and reflective summary)
2. Undertake work based activities which develop new capabilities and skills (learning log)
3. Reflect constructively on their professional learning and set targets for the future development of their knowledge and skills (journal and reflective summary)
4. Demonstrate employability skills in relation to employers’ needs and emerging employment trends (journal and reflective summary) 
5. Apply employability skills through recruitment and selection activities (learning log)

Students will demonstrate that they have met the learning outcomes through:

Undertaking a placement in a relevant health and social care context and though completion of two assessments:

1. A learning log comprising a list of activities and outcomes which must be completed over the course of the module  [LO2 and 5]
2. Critical incident journal and reflective summary [LO 1, 3 and 4]

Atwal, A. & Jones, M. eds. (2009) Preparing for professional practice in health and social care. Chichester: Blackwell

CBI/NUS (2011) How to succeed at university: an essential guide to academic skills, personal development and employability. London: CBI

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Jackson, C. & Thurgate, C. eds. Workplace learning in health and social care: a student's guide. Maidenhead: McGraw Hill 

Marsh, R. (2012) Skills for employability. Part one, Pre-employment. Wrexham: Christal

Marsh, R. (2012) Skills for employability. Part two, Moving into employment. Wrexham: Christal

McQuaid, R. & Lindsay, C. (2005) The concept of employability. Urban Studies, 42 (2), 197-219

Moon, J. (2004). A Handbook of Reflective and Experiential Learning: Theory and Practice. London: Routledge.

Rook, S. (2013) The Graduate Career Guidebook: Advice for Students and Graduates on Careers Options, Jobs, Volunteering, Applications, Interviews and Self-employment. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan

Smale, B. & Fowlie, J. (2015) How to succeed at university : an essential guide to academic skills, personal development and employability. London: Sage

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Trought, F. (2017) Brilliant employability skills: how to stand out from the crowd in the graduate job market.  2nd ed. New York : Pearson Education

UKCES (2015) UK Commission’s Employer Skills Survey 2013: UK Results [Online] Available from:  https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ukces-employer-skills-survey-2015  [Accessed 6 September 2016]

http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/

http://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/Care-careers/Starting-a-career-in-social-care/Starting-a-career-in-social-care.aspxx

http://www.skillsforhealth.org.uk//

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers.htm