With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union EUROPLAT EMPLOYABILITY SURVEY: CORE FINDINGS AND IMPLICATIONS •Stanislav Ježek1, Jan Mareš1 & Aleš Neusar2 –1Masaryk University Brno, Czech Republic –2Palacky University Olomouc, Czech Republic With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union Problem of Employability of Psychology study graduates •A student‘s potential for employment –in terms of his/her knowledge, skills, competencies, qualifications •Issue raised by post-Bologna proces with split study programmes in psychology: • •What can bachelors (B.A.s) of Psychology do? • •Core questions for research survey: –Learn about the context and the meaning in which the concept of employability is used •OUALITATIVE SURVEY – presented at EUROPLAT 2011 meeting in Istanbul –How is employability of psychology graduates perceived and improved across Europe? •QUANTITATIVE SURVEY – this presentation ;) • With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union Objectives of the quantitative part of employability survey •At national level and institutional level (psychology departments) across Europe: 1)how relevant the employability/employment issue is; 2)what the current problems are in the employability/employment area; 3)to explore the best practices in dealing with employability/employment issues. • With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union Sample & Method •snowball procedure – seeds sent to 32 Europlat project partners from different psychology departments and the 52 associated Europlat partners. • •only 228 valid responses (32 countries), 188 academics • •university teachers or teacher-researchers, teacher-practitioners –Some responses form teachers or psychologists in service or… • •online survey (mostly closed questions) • almost a hundred universities. With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union I think that in the national context employability or employment of psychology graduates with BACHELOR degrees is currently (n = 147) With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union Unemployment is currently a problem for (n = 147) With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union Evidence: Collection of employment / employability data (by national agency etc). yes, data are available specifically about psychology graduates 24 % yes, but no specific data are available about psychology graduates (e.g., only aggregated results are public) 18 % no, and I wish there was something like that 45 % no, and I do not see any need for such an activity 12 % yes, data are available specifically about psychology graduates 24 % •No records available at the department - 45 % •No informal records kept - 80 % With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union Conclusion: Prevailing attitude of the general psychological community towards the bachelor graduates (n = 140) they are welcomed as a new addition that can potentially make psychology stronger 13 % they are perceived with distrust as a new competition possibly lowering the standards 14 % they are not at all perceived as members of psychological community (e.g., should not call themselves “psychologists”) 19 % bachelor degree is seen only as a temporary/provisional degree on the way towards a masters degree (no one should want to stay on this level) 44 % I really do not know 10 % With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union Competencies of BA‘s •Research and Methodology •Social, interpersonal skills •Knowledge of psychological theories •Statistics and Data analysis •Communication skills •Testing, assessment •Critical, logical thinking •Writing skills •Counselling, guidance, intervention •Presentation skills •IT and computer skills With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union Positions for Psychology BA‘s •Traditional fields: educational psychology, organizational psychology, counselling • •Teaching, education •Human resources field •Marketing, advertising •Managers •Administration, secretary •Research, survey, marketing research •Journalist • With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union Perceived major problems with employability of bachelors (n=81) there are too many bachelors and not enough jobs for them 61 % necessity of planning new or innovative study programs 28 % psychology graduates compete for the same jobs with non-graduates (e.g. therapy...) 33 % bachelors do not learn anything useful for employment 41 % With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union Activities at departments aimed at the bachelors’ employability issue (n=106) informal discussions with colleagues 61 % formal sessions (i.e., with goals and clear implications for the study programme) 27 % research project(s) focused on employability 17 % curricular changes specifically aimed at increasing employability (new courses. modules. activities etc.) 44 % opening new specialised or vocational bachelor-level study programs 14 % conferences/meetings with potential employers 21 % negotiations with representatives of psychological professional societies 21 % incorporation/engagement of potential employers into study programme (e.g. internships. student projects...) 25 % promote self-employment (e.g. unregulated psychological services. Internet services … ) 19 % promote the building of one’s own/unique portfolio of competencies (specialised certificates...) 23 % With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union Conclusion: Is the employability of psychology B.A.’s an issue? • •DEVELOPED ISSUE –B.A.’s are part of labour market and psychological community, multiple strategies being implemented. –UK, Ireland, and Cyprus •UNRESOLVED ISSUE –Solutions (simple) have been proposed but they do not work (Estonia, Lithuania), –Scepticism and calls for the return to the pre-Bologna system (Italy). •NEW ISSUE –Bachelor jobseekers a new phenomenon (Latvia, Czech Rep, Slovenia), discussions are under way, expectations. •NO ISSUE –Slovakia – not enough B.A.’s to cause trouble OR it’s students’ responsibility. With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union Conclusion: Developmental stages perspective of psychology B.A.’s employability 1.Not an issue –B.A. is just a formal degree (everyone goes to M.A. study) 2.Protectionism –B.A.’s want to become professional „kind of“ psychologists (professional community shouldn´t let them) 3.Special arrangements –System of qualifications (further education allowing B.A.´s into psychological professions; exploration of niches is profession for B.A.’s; non-professionals skill not accepted by professional community) 4.Programme Differentiation a)Professional B.A. studies – further education – psychology profession (EuroPsy approved) b)Non-professional B.A. studies – exploration of non-professional employment (professional community acceptance) With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union Psychology M.A.’s employability • •only 10-20 % seek jobs outside traditional psychological profession at most departments • •major issue –not enough jobs (50 % of responses) With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union THANK YOU •Employability Report available at www.europlat.org » • Aleš Neusar, ales@neusar.cz • • • Jan Mareš, jmares@fss.muni.cz •