I
make a habit of waking early and catching up on world events by tuning into BBC
Breakfast. Of course, I am doing other things at the same time, so it is more
often than not a case of listening to rather than viewing the programme. Then,
when I catch a word or two of particular interest, I call a halt, sit on the
bed and watch the story unfold.
There are a number of key words that trigger off my increased attention – they include ‘university’, graduates’ and ‘unemployment’. I am no longer surprised by how often the news includes items on these topics. This morning all three featured in the headlines.
The
story that really caught my attention was about student dissatisfaction with
the university experience. According to an extensive survey conducted by Which,
in partnership with the Higher Education Policy Institute, 29% of the 17,000
participants said that their university course did not represent good value for
money. The last time the survey was carried out, in 2006, only 16% had the same
complaint.
It
is hardly surprising that with fees rising from just over a grand in 2006 to
£9,000 maximum today, expectations would rise. Unfortunately state funding of
higher education has been much reduced so there is no more money in the system
to improve the quality of what is on offer although I know that many
universities are striving to enhance the student experience. Part of the
problem is that students are not always aware of what they are signing up to.
One in five respondents complained that information on courses was vague and
one in ten said it was misleading.
Expectation
management is something that universities are going to have to get used to.
Consumers, and students are consumers whatever the purists think, today do
expect more for their bucks. It is essential therefore that when students
consider going to university and which institution and course to apply for,
they have a good understanding of what to expect. Anything less will inevitably
lead to disappointment and frustration. (GRB can help show the average salaries by university and course).
It is exactly the same for employers. Telling it how it is, helps to adjust expectations to a realistic level. There is a huge temptation to only show the best bits of working for your business when competing for the best talent but that carries the danger of raising expectations to an unreasonable level.
I recall visiting a mansion in an idyllic setting that had been converted into the management centre of a heavy engineering company and asking the graduate recruitment manager if that was where they carried out their assessment centres. “Good heavens, no,” he cried, “the candidates would get entirely the wrong idea about their daily working environment. All our selection activities are held onsite, in the factories where the graduates will be based”.
Fair point!
Carl Gilleard
Chief Executive
AGR
It is exactly the same for employers. Telling it how it is, helps to adjust expectations to a realistic level. There is a huge temptation to only show the best bits of working for your business when competing for the best talent but that carries the danger of raising expectations to an unreasonable level.I recall visiting a mansion in an idyllic setting that had been converted into the management centre of a heavy engineering company and asking the graduate recruitment manager if that was where they carried out their assessment centres. “Good heavens, no,” he cried, “the candidates would get entirely the wrong idea about their daily working environment. All our selection activities are held onsite, in the factories where the graduates will be based”.
Fair point!
Carl Gilleard
Chief Executive
AGR
