Embedding Employability Survey: Insights from Student, Graduate, Staff and Employer Voice Profiles

The Embedding Employability Survey was conducted by the Careers and Employability Centre, Dundalk Institute of Technology May to June 2021. Engaging relevant stakeholders, namely; students, graduates, DkIT staff and employers, the survey aimed to uncover attitudes, experiences, insights, and future-oriented thinking about employability for graduates of the institute. The results informed the development of a national award-winning graduate attribute programme, and proposes the PCs Graduate Attributes and Mindsets Framework (AHECS 2022, Guidance Counsellors for HEIs in Ireland, Winner). The survey was funded by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning (Ireland), as part of their Strategic Alignment for Teaching and Learning Enhancement Fund 2019. Participants answered a wide range of questions addressing four key themes: (i) our graduate attributes, (ii) employability factors affecting our graduates’ perceived employability, (iii) the utility and effectiveness of Careers & Employability Services, and (iv) forward-looking employability plans for DkIT. All completed online by email call-to-action due to the ongoing Covid-19 context. Building on focus group consultations, the survey set about: testing consensus regarding a headline for our graduate attribute framework, highlighting key employability best practices, reaching consensus on Career and Employability Services, and pointing to future directions for employability at DkIT. This report presents the main findings, draws out key points of guidance and demonstrates how to conduct a multi-stakeholder survey to inform a higher education institute (HEI) Employability Plan.