Welcome from the Principal

We are proud of our mission as a practical academic learning institution with close links to employers and an excellent graduate employment record. However, the employability of graduates nationally has been an issue for some time now, with businesses and other employers raising concerns about graduates´ approach and skills for the modern workplace. Lack of confidence (together with appropriate interpersonal and intrapersonal skills) is often cited as a particular problem.

To meet the demands of a constantly changing environment, graduates of the twenty–first century need to be equipped with a range of skills. The only certainty is that the pace of change will not slow down and it is the confident development of self-knowledge and interpersonal skills, coupled with academic learning and experience, which will position you as ´first choice with employers´.

Confident Futures has been developed to help you take control of your own life and learning, and to enhance your employability. The programme will promote:

• Practical intelligence;
• Strong self–belief and the ability to make a difference;
• Resilience in the face of difficulty;
• Curiosity and problem-solving;
• Informed risk-taking, learning from mistakes and asking for help;
• Adaptability and embracing new opportunities for learning;
• Creative reflection.

We hope that you enjoy the Confident Futures programme and look forward to following your progress.

Good luck

Professor Dame Joan K Stringer
Principal & Vice Chancellor