New Centre for Employability

18th November 2009

The University of Hull has launched a new Centre for Employability and Professional Skills at its Scarborough Campus. 

The Centre provides flexible learning opportunities to raise the aspirations of those under-represented in higher education, as well as careers guidance for students seeking employment.

It will offer a diverse range of programme and services designed to support employee development, provide opportunities to develop higher level skills and improve the employability of graduates.

Courses range from IT to project management skills, and counselling to health and social care. The department also runs workshops for schoolchildren and parents on what they can expect from University, and encourage more youngsters into higher education.

The Centre aims to provide an interface between the University, employers, and other agencies and organisations in the North Yorkshire area.

Head of the centre, Jane Baxter, says the centre will serve a broad range of audiences, including adult learners, employers, undergraduates, and school and college students.

She explained: “Now more than ever we need to support the local economy by providing programmes to meet skills needs and offering sustained support for students throughout the job-seeking process - even after they graduate.”

“We are also seeing a huge demand for accessible learning from both members of the public and employers. There are many people who either want to boost the skills they already have when applying for jobs, or they want to change career direction and need a completely new set of qualifications.

The centre also offers a public lecture series to attract members of the public onto the campus to give them a flavour of the programmes which can be studied at the campus.