Benchmarking Careers Education

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Benchmarking Careers Education

• David Stanbury
• AGCAS Careers Education Task Group
• Project web site http//careers.lancs.ac.uk/cetg/
  
• AGCAS web site http//www.agcas.org.uk/

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What is a benchmark statement?

• A document which
• Describes the desirable content of a programme of
  study
• Embodies an agreed understanding by the subject
  community
• Provides an authoritative reference point for
  development and review
• QAA Subject Benchmarks play key role in
  curriculum development
• QAA has created 47

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But..

• New ones will be strictly limited
• Where there is no specific Subject Benchmark, QAA
  directs attention to external reference points
• This is mentioned in
• Code of Practice, Section 7 Programme approval
• Handbook for Academic Review
• Annex C self evaluation docs for subject review
• Annex E questions for external reviewers
• QAA does envisage that CEBS can act as an
  external reference point

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Why have one?

• A statement benchmarking careers education (i.e.
  an external reference point) can
• Provide an authoritative reference point (e.g.
  for external examiners)
• Promote good practice
• Articulate careers in relation to PDP etc.
• Establish academic credibility
• Complement QAA Code of Practice for CEIG
• Enable the careers community to refine its own
  understanding of its practice

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CEBS

• Aims to address careers education within the
  undergraduate curriculum
• Will include
• The nature of the subject, characteristics
  principles
• Teaching Learning
• Subject in context (e.g. different curriculum
  models)
• Institutional context (careers related agendas)
• Institutional diversity
• Outcomes

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Issues

• Pitfalls
• May be seen as
• Restrictive
• Static
• Dry and impenetrable
• Possibilities
• Reflects diversity and enables creativity
• Descriptive and aspirational
• Academic and accessible
• Be recognised as authoritative reference point
  for curriculum review

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How? The process
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Who is involved?

• Steering Group
• LTSN Generic Centre / HE Academy
• AGR
• Guidance Council
• GAB
• LTSN subject centres / academics
• AGCAS members
• Careers Ed Task Group
• Working Groups partners
• QAA
• SCOP
• Many other interested parties UK and ROI

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Next steps

• Consult on drafts
• Final draft version
• Systematic consultation including all
  Universities and other stakeholders (Jan 05?)
• Finalise document
• Endorsement by HE Academy, AGR etc.
• Promotion of the benchmark

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Help needed

• Is this the right way forward?
• Which bodies / individuals should we approach for
  support?
• What funding sources could we tap?
• Ideas for promoting / disseminating the CEBS
• Forthcoming conferences?
• Relevant journals?
• How could non-QAA Benchmark Statements be used?