LJMU offering high quality employability services

The quality of careers advice and guidance offered by LJMU has earned the university a prestigious charter mark.

Student Futures, LJMU’s one-stop-shop for careers, employability and start-up support, has become accredited to the matrix Standard for its high-quality ‘information, advice and guidance to students and graduates’.

The matrix Standard is owned by the Department for Education and used by hundreds of organisations to benchmark their services, including the Premier League and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

Assessors from the organisation visited LJMU over three days in late November to evaluate evidence about current provision and goals for the future. 

Its written report highlighted a range of strengths, noting that Student Futures “drives continuous improvement”. It found:

• (LJMU) has a robust and systematic approach to evaluating graduate outcomes, survey feedback, and service results … ‘Closely monitoring the key performance indicators has enabled the service to improve student outcomes year on year, which are above the national average and are in the top five of all universities in the same cohort.’
• Continued investment in technology, making good use of IT resources and self-directed online IAG offers such as booking career appointments, completing the Skills Checker, accessing Abintegro and creating a Work-based CRM, all backed by 24/7 online support
• Strong strategic and operational links with professional networks, employers, and agencies with specific reference to work-based learning and employment. For example with Unitemps, Kayes Medical and Liverpool City Council.

Roger Chapman, Head of the matrix Service for The Growth Company, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for LJMU Student Futures and I would like to congratulate the team on their success. The matrix Standard is designed to benchmark organisations against best practice in these areas. With their accreditation success, Student Futures is working to provide the best possible support to their clients.”

Commenting on the award, Angela Standish, Head of the Careers and Employability at LJMU, said: “We're delighted to have received this accreditation, which gives independent endorsement of the quality of service we offer daily to current students and graduates.

"We are committed to staying at the forefront of careers guidance, adapting to the evolving needs of our students and the ever-changing job market.  The achievement is a testament to our unwavering commitment to provide exceptional support to our students and graduates, and reflects the dedication and expertise of everyone within the Student Future team.

"I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to our team and recognise colleagues from across LJMU dedicated to improving student and graduate employability outcomes."

To contact LJMU Student Futures, email studentfutures@ljmu.ac.uk, call in at either Byrom Street Careers Zone or the Student Life Building Careers Zone or telephone 0151 231 2048/3719.