| Pictured at the national graduate careers conference are (from left) ... Pictured at the national graduate careers conference are (from left) the CEO of Graduate Careers Australia, Cindy Tilbrook; the CEO of Universities Australia, Dr Glenn Withers; and Conference Convener and Manager of UOW’s Career Service, Martin Smith |
UOW hosts national graduate careers conference
4 Dec 2007 | Bernie Goldie
Over 150 delegates from Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom are visiting the University of Wollongong this week (2–5 December) to attend the annual conference of the National Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (NAGCAS).
Delegates from university careers services across the country as well as academics and representatives from business, service industry and government are participating in the event, which is focusing on the themes of employability, work integrated learning, international students’ employment aspirations, global skills issues and professional practices.
“The conference is a great opportunity for participants to gain insights into good practice connected to a variety of themes which resonate with a contemporary university in a global environment,” said Conference Convener and Manager of UOW’s Careers Service, Martin Smith.
“Australian higher education institutions compete on the national and international stage. Responding to the career aspirations of the students and the expectations of business, industry and government necessitates that the modern university provides innovative, effective and high quality career development learning.”
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gerard Sutton, presented the official welcome at the conference which was followed by a key note address from Chief Executive Officer of Universities Australia, Dr Glenn Withers, who shared with delegates the first discussion paper released by Universities Australia – a ‘national internship scheme’ which outlines recommendations for co-ordinated approaches to give students options to put their knowledge to work in real workplace contexts.
CEO of Graduate Careers Australia, Cindy Tilbrook, is also attending the conference to present the findings of the ‘University and Beyond’ student survey based upon over 32,000 responses from current university students, making it the largest national study of its kind ever conducted in Australia. The conference is also discussing current challenges for the careers service sector.
“Our graduates will enter labour markets where global options and skills shortages in key industry sectors are prevalent, and where individual graduate recruiting organisations have high expectations that graduates will have the right mix of knowledge and theory, practical workplace experiences and personal transferable skills. In essence – to be work ready,” said Mr Smith.
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