Chartwells launches NCUB Student Employability Index Report

58% of students now look at Universities connections to businesses when making their applications, with the opportunity of work placements whilst at university now so much higher on their agenda.  The National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB) Student Employability Index has published today the opinions of students from universities across the UK. Sponsored by Chartwells, Compass Group UK & Ireland’s education catering specialist, the report compiled by I-Graduate, provides an in-depth view of students perceptions around employment prospects.

The largest survey of its kind, it collates the views and opinions of over 115,000 students at 55 different universities.

The NCUB Student Employability Index highlights how employability and the career prospects that courses and institutions can offer are now more important than ever. 

Key findings included:

• 58% of students said that the opportunity to work influenced their University choice
• 86% said the earning potential of a degree played an important part in their decision where to study
• 80% of students across Universities were satisfied with the opportunity to make good contacts with perspective employers
• Student experiences can be seen to vary greatly between institutions and subject areas when it comes to placement opportunities. Less defined placement pathways, such as languages, score poorly with regard to the opportunity to undertake work experience as part of students’ study, whilst structured placements such as teaching and medicine drive higher satisfaction.

As the leading provider of catering and foodservice to universities in the UK Chartwells, part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, supported the development of the report to gain an insight into the aspirations and attitudes of students while at university and beyond.

As a business, Compass Group UK & Ireland is dedicated to developing future talent; offering an extensive range of graduate programmes, short-term internships, apprenticeships and sandwich year work placements. In 2015, Compass received a Grade 2 Ofsted rating for its UK Apprenticeships, demonstrating good effectiveness of leadership and management, plus good quality of teaching, learning and assessment. It has also been hailed as a premium programme for improving skills and helping people in their careers.

Dennis Hogan, Managing Director of Compass Group UK & Ireland added:

“The market insight that is provided by surveys like this is something that Compass and our education business, Chartwells prides itself on.  Offering a growing number of student and graduate employment opportunities both on campus and across the extensive range of Compass venues helps to add value to university partnerships. This gives students what they want with regard to having on-campus contact with employers, and the opportunity to work whilst studying.

“The findings of the report show a clear window of opportunity for businesses and universities to focus on the wants and needs of today’s students in order to cultivate future talents.”

William James, a placement student working for Chartwells said;

“The opportunity of undertaking a work placement during my studies was what made me decide to choose a four-year sandwich programme at Loughborough University. As someone who studies a non-vocational degree, the opportunity to gain a foothold in the job market is something that I could not pass up, with the skills that I have learned this year being really useful for when I return to university, as well as in future employment.”

Dr David Docherty, Chief Executive of the National Centre for Universities and Business added: ‘Work experience is vital to increasing opportunity for all undergraduates, regardless of subject. And we are working with our members on ways of increasing the range, diversity and nature of work experiences to create equal life chances for all.’

To view the full report: http://www.compass-group.co.uk/Chartwells-launches-NCUB-Student-Employability-Index-Report.htm

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For more information contact:

UK Communications Team, Compass Group UK & Ireland

Uk.communications@compass-group.co.uk. 01895 554 999.