Skills developed by economics students during their professional training year

Abstract

Despite the increasing improvement in student degree qualifications, there is evidence that graduates lack “employability” skills. The Professional Training Year (PTY) programme at the University of Surrey contributes to closing the gap between degree qualifications and graduate employability skills since students on placements tend to acquire not only specific job skills but also transferable skills. This research project has been conducted by an academic staff member and a student working in partnership. It aims to identify the skills required in Economics placements through document analysis based on the information from Economics students who completed their PTY during 2017-2018. This chapter will thus provide a better understanding of what skills are required within Economics placements and how these learning approaches might help promote wider employability skills development.