University of Central Lancashire


The University of Central Lancashire – Futures Award

 

Janet Bird, Principal Lecturer

Futures Award Project Leader, University of Central Lancashire

Anna Richardson

Fellow in Employability and Enterprise, University of Central Lancashire

 

The University of Central Lancashire launched their Futures Award in September 2009.  The award is 20 or 30 academic credits in size.  Its urpose is to recognise and celebrate students’ achievements in employability and enterprise in activities outside the normal academic curriculum.  The award has adopted a streamed approach into themed areas (Personal Development, Learning Through Work, Enterprise, Career Preparation, Volunteering/Community, Leadership/Mentoring and Going Global) and layered into success at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels. 

 

The opportunity to gain the award is available to all undergraduate students. It involves:

·     Structured student support and guidance using the Employability Development Profile with continued personal tutoring throughout.

·         Student centred in the modes of delivery and choices to suit the students' own personal aspirations and needs.

·         Accreditation of activities that students engage with such as mentoring, volunteering, work experience, ambassadors etc.

·         Delivery of modules at varying sizes to make up credits towards the award.

·         Focus on practical and meaningful skills and the articulation of transeferable skills development. 

·         Students can choose to study at their own pace and are awarded the Futures Award at graduation. There are currently over 500 students engaging in the award.

 

Key Words: Employability, enterprise, celebrate, achievement, student-centred.

 

For a detailed version of the poster please see:

FUTAWARDS_diagram.pdf