Providing an edge to students-Westminster employability award

The University of Westminster is offering the Westminster Employability award to support the career and personal development of students by providing a formal recognition to the extra-curricular activities that the university students complete during their period of study at the university.

The award is aimed at helping students gain experience and develop the skills which employers are looking for in potential employees.

Employers want much more than just graduates with a degree nowadays. They respect people who have invested in their personal and professional growth and have learned skills through different activities. With this award students will be recognized for the extra-curricular activities they were a part of on and off campus and will be able to identify and show to future employers the skills they have developed.

How does the award work?

The Award comprises a selection of pre-mapped core and optional activities across four stages. Students can take their own time to complete the activities. Students  must complete certain mandatory core activities for the award which includes:

• Skills audit
• Attending events on campus
• CV and interview preparation
• Reflective exercises

Apart from this, students must participate in optional activities which will give them points. Thye can do as many as they want. They can gain 10 to 20 points for completing them which will be a combination of online tasks and real-world activities. These activities include:

• Personality test and careers assessments
• Joining University-run schemes such as Mentoring, Explore Teaching, FANS
• Gaining experience through a part-time job/placement/internship/insight days
• Developing one’s skills digitally

Students can complete the core activities and score points from optional activities to qualify for the Bronze, Silver or Gold Employability Award. Students require 50 points for Bronze, 100 points for Silver or 150 points for Gold Award.

Eligibility criteria

Only students of the University of Westminster are eligible for the award

Students should apply for the award before May 1 of their graduating year. This requires completing all the core activities and scoring at least 50 points

Winners must have the highest number of points for their college either at the UG or PG level

Students can compete for the award only once during their degre

The employability award is a step in the right direction to help students explore their options and increase their employability factor by competing for the award.