“Mobility and Employability a winning strategy”

The experience of Cyprus University of Technology

Stavroula Antoniou Erasmus+ International Mobility Officer Erasmus@cut.ac.cy

7th Erasmus Staff Week

University of Cyprus June 12TH-16TH 2017

Coming to terms with the problem:

• 2012: Cyprus – Recession

• Capital controls • Savings tax • Uncertainty • Instability • Unemployment • Disappointment What’s next?

MΟΒΙLITY EMPLOYABILITY

Social Changes meant that we had to foster a change in thinking

I can have more

employment opportunities

by Becoming

More

Mobile

Reality: The Higher Education landscape in CY

• The tertiary education attainment rate is one of the highest in the EU

BUT • Cyprus faces one of the lowest employability rates of recent graduates

PLUS

• unsatisfactory performance in basic skills by students and young adults alike ( Education and Training Report, 2015)

WWE TEAMED-UP!

& JOINED FORCES • The Career Office • The International Mobility Unit ( including IRO office, Erasmus Mobility Office + and IAESTE) • The HR Department • Europe Direct Limassol • Enterprise Liaison Office

“Employability Skills Program”

-The Design- • Successful Cover Letter and CV writing

• Business Etiquette (dress code and behavior)

• Stress Management

• Time Management

• Recruitment and Selection Tools

• How and where to look for a job (agencies, online and offline)

• Social Media and personal branding

• Europass sessions

• Presentation skills

• How to ace the job interview

Mock Job Interviews

We actually simulate the WHOLE process:

• 1. Prepare your cv and cover letter

• 2. Submit your candidacy for a position by the deadline

• 3. If you missed the deadline, tough luck! NO INTERVIEW

• 4. Receive interview details

• 5. PREPARE!

• 6. Show up as if it is a real interview!

• 7. Answer questions!

• 8. We give written feedback!

Organized an Erasmus Staff Week

“Promoting Student and Graduate Employability – European and International Best Practices June 2016 ”

• Invited Partners form other Universities

to share insights and experience

• We raised awareness on Mobility opportunities

• We enganged Academic & Administrative

Staff, policy makers, the National Agency

Findings: Multi-level Students

• Raising self‐awareness

• Building confidence

• Giving FEEDBACK → improvement

• The importance of preparing early

• Providing Inspiration

• Initiating the job search process early

Findings: University& Staff

• Make Placements-Internships a mandatory element in HE programmes/mobility window

• Further Prepare students for (international) internships/ traineeships

• Further Stimulate international placements, overseas training

• Engage with industry representatives so as to better understand market drivers → closing the skills gap

• Enhance professional mobility networks with colleagues from across Europe and around the world.

Make Mobility and Employability part of the Institution’s Strategy

It’s a long road ! Further points for consideration:

• Employability – more research into current trends-

• Despite the positive effects of having a placement abroad, graduates aren’t always able to articulate how their overseas experience may benefit them in their career.

• Annual Graduates employability survey- a must !

( & how has it specifically lead to employability)

• Making the most of the post-mobility experience via alumni relations

• Stimulate staff exchange between HE institutions

• Set up (short) placements for staff in Business / Public organizations

Thank you for listening!

Enjoy the rest of your days here!

Stavroula Antoniou Erasmus+ International Mobility Officer Erasmus@cut.ac.cy

Cyprus University of Technology

Questions?