The NTU Acceler8 Employability Award
Academic Year 2014-15
Quick Overview
CONTENT
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What is the Acceler8 Award & the benefits?
Structure of the Award
The Award timeline
The Application Process
Support on the Award
Employer & Students Views
WHAT IS THE AWARD & BENEFITS?
It's a structured employability skills award which runs from October 2014
to April 2015 and is designed to:
 Formally recognise experience & achievements gained
outside of your studies
 Certificate and invited to Awards ceremony on completion
 Develop key skills employers want
 Access to a range of core and skills activities and
workshops delivered by professionals within NTU and
employers
 Build your employability profile
 Completion of an e-Employability Development Profile which
provides a record and evidence of students’ transferable skills and
development on the award and an exit panel interview to
articulate skills and experience gained
NTU Acceler8 Employability Award Structure
CORE
EXPERIENCE
1. Acceler8 Induction ‘Getting Started’
2. Career Management (Online)
3. Professionalising Your Profile – on paper, online & in person
(Attendance required at two 2hr workshops)
4. Required to gain minimum of 50 hours experience paid/unpaid
outside of studies Acceler8 Experience List
5. Elective Skills Development Sessions
SKILLS
REFLECTION
& PRACTICE
Level 1
(Attendance required at four 2hr workshops selected from range of sessions
e.g. leadership, networking, team working, psychometric tests, IT,
assertiveness, oral communication etc)
Level 2
6. Complete e-Employability Development Profile
7. Submit updated CV for interview
8. Exit Panel Interview
(Recommend 1st years complete Level 1 in 1st year and Level 2 in 2nd year
Acceler8 Award
Elective Skill Development Sessions
(Currently X17 different skills session offered – students select x4 sessions
Each session is a maximum of 2 hours in duration)
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Assertiveness
Assessment Centres
Effective Team working
Employer Graduate
Expectations
Entrepreneurship
Exploring Career Pathways in
Animal Science
Internationalising your Profile
IT Skills – Microsoft Excel
IT Skills – Word 2010 longer
Documents
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Leadership
Networking
Numeracy
Oral Communication
Psychometric Tests (x3 tests)
– Numerical & Verbal
– OPQ Personality Test
• Self-Awareness
• Time Management
• Writing for Business
Your e-Employability Development Profile
Accessed via FutureHub once accepted onto the Award
Your Experience
• Log your experience hours and reflections
Core
• Book and access sessions and activities
Skills Development
• Book sessions and add reflections of what you gained from these sessions
Your Personal Profile
• Highlight your key strengths and skills and brand
Evidencing Your Employability Skills
• Provide examples of skills from experience for interview and competency
based questions
Your CV
• Upload your CV for interview
Your Personal Action Plan
• Create your plan, set goals, next steps
Exit Panel Interview
• Book your interview
Acceler8 Award Timeline 2014/15
Route for 2nd, final year and Postgrad students *
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
Experience (minimum 50 hours)
Core Career
Management
.
Elective Skills Development
sessions
(online module)
Exit Panel
Induction
session
Interview
Core sessions
Submit
(attend 2 sessions)
CV
e-Employability Development Profile
(online on FutureHub)
Acceler8
Award
Ceremony
Acceler8 Award Timeline 2014/15
Recommended route for 1st year students *
Year 1
Year 2
Experience (minimum 50 hours)
Induction
session
Core Career
Management
Elective Skills Development
sessions
(online module)
Exit
Panel
Interview
Core sessions
Submit
(attend 2 sessions)
CV
e-Employability Development Profile
(online on FutureHub)
* Elements of the Acceler8 Award can be completed over 2 academic years – Level 1 in 1st year and Level 2 in 2nd Year
Award
The Application Process
• Complete Application Form via Acceler8 website How to Apply Acceler8 Award
• Deadline for receiving applications – end of Friday 17th
October 2014
• Decisions emailed to students 21st-22nd October 2014
• Induction starts across x3 campuses Wed 29th – 31st October
2014
Acceler8 Employability Award – Employer views
“I can see that the Acceler8 programme has great value. It provides the
participants with structured and quantifiable evidence to develop their
skills to make individuals more employable. I was extremely impressed
with all the students I met on Acceler8 programme. The process allowed
some student s to come out of their shell and others to hone their skills.
Babcock Dyncorp, (May 2014)
‘The ability to differentiate yourself from the next person
is essential in a competitive job market and the Acceler8
programme provides the platform for people to do that.’
‘I have been particularly impressed with the
focus on transferrable skills and the confidence
that the Acceler8 has given the participating
students.’
TDX Group (May 2014)
Society of Biology & Cerebrus Associates (May 2014)
www.ntu.ac.uk/acceler8
Acceler8 Employability Award – Student Views
Acceler8 Employability Award – Student views
‘It’s well worth it. The exit panel interview will show you
just how much you’ve come, learned as well as prepare you
for the real world. Take advantage of the opportunity as
it’s something that once you leave university, you might not
get the same support.’
Year 2 Acceler8 Student, BSc (Hons) Psychology (May 2014)
‘Be organised with your time and it is a good
way to improve your skills and encourages
you to complete work experience.
Something to show for your hard work.’
Year 2 Acceler8 Student,
BA (Hons) Economics (May 2014
‘DO IT! Well worth it. Employers absolutely love it. I have had
a series of interviews for placements recently and every
interviewer was really intrigued by the award and as its
independent from university they see that you are trying to
benefit yourself in different ways. It makes your CV different
from all the rest on their desk.’
Acceler8 Completer May 2013
www.ntu.ac.uk/acceler8
The NTU Employability Team brings you the….
Find out about loads of opportunities to enhance your CV!
Talk to…
The HIVE
ENACTUS
Volunteering
Employability Mentoring
Institute of Directors
(IoD)
Student Ambassadors
Students in Classrooms
Acceler8 Award
Plus many more!
What will you choose..?
ACCELER8 SUPPORT
Acceler8 Learning Room on NOW – Award information, resources, news & events
etc
FutureHub – booking of sessions, exit panel interviews & completion of eEmployability Development Profile
Acceler8 Student Champions – provide peer to peer advice and support. Discussion
area on NOW for questions Drop in query sessions
Career Consultants in each Academic School
Employability Team – Drop in Service at each Campus
Email address for queries: Acceler8@ntu.ac.uk