National award for inclusive employability support
LJMU has won a national award for its innovative work supporting students to give them the best possible employability outcomes.
The university’s Student Futures team won the EDI Champion Award at the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS) Awards for Excellence.
The honour recognises Student Futures’ work with and support for under-represented and disadvantaged groups. In particular, it reflects the success of the Co-creation Interns Project in supporting students with disabilities, neurodivergence and health conditions to tailor career resources to their specific needs.
Initially launched in 2022, the project has since developed further to include LGBTIQ+ students, care-experienced/estranged students, mental health conditions and Black, Asian & Ethnic Minority students.
Supporting students with different needs
The project brings together students and LJMU staff to explore how best students with different needs can access career and employability support. That has included measures such as prompt cards and buddy systems for students to use at careers fairs, impactful social media campaigns to raise awareness of the support available, and adapting the language used around employability.
Representatives from LJMU were presented with the award at the AGCAS Awards for Excellence ceremony in Newcastle.
Jennie Tannett, LJMU Careers and Employability Trainer, said: “We are thrilled and extremely proud to have won the AGCAS EDI Champions Award.
“The work we have done through the Co-creation Interns Project has delivered significant positive outcomes for our students by identifying and removing potential barriers to our careers services.
“Together with our students, we have developed a wide range of employability resources tailored to people’s specific needs to ensure they can access the support they need in the way that works best for them.
“The feedback we have received has been incredibly positive, with students telling us they feel more understood and supported by the resources, which has increased their confidence in pursuing their career goals.
“We’ve been lucky to have some amazing co-creation interns with us over the years. Their insights, ideas, creativity and dedication have helped shape this project in so many ways. This award is a celebration of all that work and it truly belongs to everyone who’s been part of the journey.”
Find out more about employability support at LJMU
Find out more about Student Futures, LJMU’s dedicated service for careers, employability and start-up support, information and resources for current students and graduates.
Pictured: Student Futures' Chris Finn, Vanessa Ochoa, Stacey Unwin, Jennie Tannett, Marnie Blackman-Cook (LJMU Unitemps), Gill Pearson and AGCAS President Barrie Grey.
