Employer-student workshops: The Aberdeen experience

A Department-Employer Liaison Group was instituted by the Department of Geography at the University of Aberdeen, with the aim of increasing employer involvement within the Department's curriculum. Subsequent discussion with employers indicated that they did not want to be involved directly with course content, but would be prepared to provide an input into skills development for employment. This view, together with the Department's involvement in the Enterprise in Higher Education initiative, influenced the approach subsequently adopted in annual Employer-Student seminars. The aim of the seminars is to encourage students to reflect upon and develop their skills for employment using the various components of their degree courses. The seminarial workshops provide valuable links between employers and undergraduate students, with some informal feedback to the design of core courses and tutorial programmes through the Department Teaching Committee. The increase in students' confidence, and their recognition of the skills they have to offer employers, is palpable after these events.