EMPLOYABILITY TRAINING
CASE STUDY

Background

The Bachelor of Accounting Program (BAcc) at the University of Technology Sydney is a selective, scholarship-based program with a cooperative education experience in Accounting, offered in partnership with major employers. In parallel with their accounting degree, students experience 2 x semester-length internships with partner organisations in years 1 and 3.

In 2014, The BAcc Program Director identified a need for its students to be better equipped with more industry-relevant employability skills, specifically those recruitment-related skills and critical soft skills and preparation required by organisations today. This was due to limited permanent employment outcomes at the time and to make students more prepared for work – both during and after their degree program.

Readygrad were engaged as a specialist partner to complement the existing program by giving students a blended and practical employability skills-based journey weaved into their three-year degree. The ongoing program continues to evolve and adapt to changing trends and needs.

The Approach

As a true strategic partner, Readygrad design and deliver an integrated and progressive experience that provides students with relevant and practical skills and insights related to their journey stage – with a mix of dynamic workshops, job-ready bootcamps, and one-on-one consultations.

Currently, the program includes:

First Year

• Workshop – Transition to the Workplace
• Workshop – Cover Letters, Resumes & Online applications
• One-on-one consultation – resume cover letter review
• Six-month internship placement 

Second Year

• Workshop - Interview Skills
• One-on-one consultation and mock interviews preparation
• Full graduate recruitment simulation – application, testing and assessment centre (with individual feedback)
• One-on-one career success coaching experience

Third Year 

• Jobready Bootcamp (full day) – includes transition to work life, personal brand and elevator pitch, successful teams, building rapport & etiquette and receiving feedback
• Six-month internship placement

The Result

Since the established partnership between the UTS BAcc Program and Readygrad, what has resulted is year-on-year increases in permanent employment outcomes for students, to 100% since 2017 and a notable increase in students receiving multiple offers of employment. The success of this partnership is a testament to the power of building students' employability skills and connecting them with employers.

The UTS BAcc Program has achieved great success since partnering with Readygrad, making a real difference for students both during their studies and after graduation. This partnership's success is visible through our high placement results – it also comes from the experience of our students and graduates, who consistently report increased confidence in their ability to understand the job market, secure employment opportunities, and make informed decisions about their career pathways.