Discipline Networks

The DfEE funded seven projects under this theme. The aim of the theme was:

to promote on-going curriculum change to make graduates more employable by working with discipline and professional bodies in higher education, to build on the commitment of academics to their discipline, and on the networks which already existed within these discipline communities (DfEE, 1998).

The term "discipline" was interpreted broadly and included vocational, non-vocational and issue-specific interests. This is evident from the range of subjects covered by the seven projects. The term "employment" was also interpreted broadly but a particular emphasis was put on the processes of learning and teaching and development of higher level skills.

The key findings to emerge from these studies include:

• the necessity for continued/lifelong learning and for employers to fund such activity;
• the importance of employer input into curriculum development and teaching to meet the needs of employers;
• the need for appropriate work experience and work placements and for employer involvement in the assessment of vocational courses;
• the importance of the establishment of links with the National Training Organisations;
• the development and provision of relevant training modules/courses to meet employers' needs;
• the importance of sharing expertise and materials between providers;
• the need for higher education providers to incorporate the development of business skills into programmes;
• the need for continued provision of financial and human resources to maintain these networks over time.

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Project Themes:

Graduate Business Start-ups

Key Skills in HE

High Level Lifelong Learning

Guidance for Graduates

Recording Achievement

Labour Market Intelligence

Innovation and Creativity in the Curriculum

Work Experience

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