The Northampton Employability Award

Giving you the competitive edge 

What is the Award?

At The University of Northampton we understand that graduates need more than a high quality degree to secure employment. This is why we have developed 'The Northampton Employability Award', to give recognition to those students who have gone above and beyond their academic studies whilst at university.

The Northampton Employability Award is an extra-curricular, non-credit bearing Award which will be presented alongside your degree. It is initially being piloted for 50 second-year students in October 2011.

The Employability Award helps us to spot those students that have gone the extra mile to achieve in areas outside the curriculum. These are the people who are highly motivated and have a positive 'can-do' attitude to work and life, and they are the candidates who stand out above the crowd when we're looking for new recruits.

Chief Executive, XCAM

Why should I take the Award?

The Award celebrates the achievements of pro-active students who have not only studied for a high quality degree, but who have also developed a range of skills essential in securing employment after graduation.

There are many benefits to participating in the Award. For example, it will enable you to highlight the links between your academic work and your extra-curricular activities. It will give you an improved self-awareness of the skills you have already mastered, as well as those needing further development. Ultimately, the award will assist you in making the most of your extra-curricular activity whilst at university and will enable you to confidently describe these skills and competencies to a prospective employer. Many of you are already gathering these skills through part-time work or university initiatives without realising, and the Award is a way for you and others to recognise them.  

What does the Award cover?

The Award consists of both compulsory and optional elements. The main activities in the Award are listed below:

• Initial skills self assessment (academic and key skills)
• Attendance at a Careers and Employability Service CV one to one and mock interview session
• Evidence provided for completion of four activities within work-based experience, self-development activity and social responsibility activity
• Submission of a graduate level CV and covering letter
• Submission of a reflective account by given deadline  

Interested in taking the Award?

Visit 'employaward' on NILE which can be found under the Personal Development Planning (PDP) module on the main list for more information, or contact Lisa Hartnell.