Employers' views

"Airbus recognises that today career success is more than the result of a good degree. With more students going to university now and less graduate jobs in the market, students have to stand out from the crowd.

Employability skills are becoming increasingly more important in the world of Graduate recruiters and will help students in future success. For a career in Airbus, graduates need to have flexible team working skills, excellent communication skills and a proactive approach to work.

The UWE Graduate Development Programme offers the support to students to help them develop these skills and is a fantastic opportunity for students to really excel."

"The Avon and Somerset Constabulary continually strive to provide the highest level of service possible to those within its Force area. This can only be achieved through staff who posses the right skills and abilities to perform to the highest level across a wide variety of front line and support staff functions."

"The Constabulary always seeks to recruit those who possess the right skills and abilities to deliver its services. Key attributes such as effective communication, problem solving, resilience, integrity and team working are essential qualities required in any potential employee.

The Force recognises the significance of the GDP in developing these and other key skills and in providing Graduates with not only a structured platform to enhance and develop work related skills, but also to effectively prepare them for the transition from University to a career within the Constabulary."

"NHS Somerset welcomes this (GDP) programme. Like many employers, we often find newly qualified graduates do not possess the personal and professional skills to be as effective as they could be.

In our selection criteria, we do not only look for good academic qualifications, but for good personal and interpersonal skills, political awareness, and a conscientious approach to work. Candidates that can demonstrate they have these skills stand out from other applicants."

"FDM Group is an international IT services provider. We work with over 200 blue-chip clients worldwide surrounding their IT graduate employment.

We understand the additional skills required for a graduate to be successful within IT. Organisations are increasingly finding that soft skills are as important as technical ability.

Qualities employers are looking for include:

• passion and enthusiasm for pursuing a career in the IT sector
• logical ability
• analytical mindset
• natural problem solvers
• good communication
• negotiation skills
• the ability to understand the business quickly and therefore establish their role and work effectively towards company goals.

FDM supports the work being done by UWE’s Graduate Development Programme in developing some of these skills."

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) commented "We are interested in talented students applying to us with strong academics but just as important are your employability skills – including impact, drive, flexibility, curiosity, integrity and commercial awareness. Applicants who stand out are those who have done research and are well-prepared.

We are interested in your potential to develop. As a leading employer of graduates, we recognises the important role played by the Graduate Development Programme at the University of the West of England in producing high-calibre, motivated individuals who are ready to enter the world of professional services."