As Covid-19 restrictions ease in many parts of the world, we are seeing a rapid resurgence in demand for Cambridge English Qualifications, with some countries already returning to pre-pandemic levels. We are also seeing clear evidence that students are picking up their plans for international travel and Higher Education.
Nevertheless, international Higher Education is facing unprecedented challenges in attracting students and giving them a positive experience. Students need to be confident that it is safe to travel, that they will benefit from the full student experience when they arrive, and above all that their investment of time and money will give them long-term benefits.
Even before the Covid-19 crisis, a survey by the QS Intelligence Unit suggested that students see employment prospects as the most important benefit of attending an internationally-recognised university, far ahead of other benefits such as quality of education or the student experience.1
Employability is likely to be an even more important factor after the crisis, as students prepare for an increasingly competitive labour market. With graduate jobs in short supply, the insecurity of the ‘gig economy’ and the awareness that more and more professions will be affected by automation, prospective students need to know that their education will give them the skills they need for success.
Tomorrow's skills
We often say that as educators we are preparing students for careers that don’t yet exist, but it is clear that tomorrow’s professions will require a wide range of social, cognitive and emotional skills, which will be essential for success in any career.
To help identify these skills Cambridge University Press and Cambridge Assessment have developed the Employability Skills Framework. The framework is based on extensive research into employers’ needs and is aligned with the Cambridge Life Competencies Framework. By providing a map of the most important employability skills, the framework gives a deeper understanding of what each of the skills involves and helps educators to implement them in their teaching.
These are just a few examples of the skills covered by the Framework:
Collaboration and teamwork. Can students … manage collaborative tasks? Work well together in a group? Deliver group tasks effectively?
Communication. Can students … present their views clearly and effectively? Adapt the way they communicate for different audiences and purposes? Understand others?
Innovation and problem solving. Can students … Elaborate and combine ideas? Develop alternative scenarios and proposals? Consider the perspectives of other stakeholders?
Critical thinking and decision-making. Can students … analyse information and arguments? Evaluate options to come to a decision? Evaluate the effectiveness of implemented solutions?
Leadership and global citizenship. Can students … generate support for action through effective communication strategies? Understand an organisation’s role in global issues such as the environment, inclusivity and equality?
Personal development and management. Can students … set goals for professional development? Take action to develop new skills and knowledge? Use feedback to improve performance?
Emotional intelligence. Can students… develop a positive attitude and work ethic? Establish and maintain positive relationships?
Digital literacy. Can students … use digital and online tools? Follow safe online practices? Behave appropriately to others online?
English - the key to employability
It is striking that all of these ‘soft skills’ need sophisticated language and communication, and in most professions, much of this communication will be in English. Quite simply, graduates who can communicate effectively in English will have a massive advantage in getting themselves on the career ladder, and this advantage will last throughout their careers.
Cambridge English Qualifications – especially but not limited to B2 First, C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency – are designed to help students to get the maximum possible benefit from their studies in further and higher education. They are known world-wide as an excellent way to prepare students for many of the tasks they will face at university, such as listening to lectures, writing essays, understanding by reading across multiple texts, and giving presentations. But beyond that, they also ensure that successful candidates have work-ready language skills that will help them in the transition from education to work and professional development.
Recognising and recommending Cambridge English Qualifications for matriculation and graduation is helping universities worldwide to maximise their students’ employment prospects.
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1 QS, 2015, How Do Students Use Rankings?