‘Employability for life’ at The University of Law

The University of Law outlines how the government encouragement for civic engagement is invigorating its commitment to ‘employability for life’

Many universities offer their graduates ongoing support as an alumnus and some have no time limit attached. The University of Law’s ‘Employability for Life’ initiative is one such example.

There is widespread recognition that entry level jobs are taking ever longer to secure, so potential applicants see this as an advantageous proposition. The university hopes that the chances of finding graduate employment increase with extended support.

Not just about work

There is much more to this ethos than indefinite careers support for alumni. The university wants to enhance the experience for current students en masse and not solely under the banner of preparation for the world of work.

‘Employability for Life’ has the aim of shining an early light on life’s highs and lows - both personal and professional – some of which may have already been experienced but many more lie in store.

Proud of pro bono commitment

As an institution so closely aligned with a profession rather than geographical location, the university is proud of its legal heritage.

Whilst there are now a suite of business and science courses on offer, the university’s historic commitment to developing generations of solicitors and barristers means that it can claim to having taught over 100,000 qualified lawyers.

Pro Bono (Latin ‘for the public good’) is most closely associated with the legal profession – essentially offering legal support to those who cannot afford to pay for it. In many cases it is a last option for those in a desperate situation.

The University’s Pro Bono team are part of the Employability Service and they offer a mix of up to three to 5,000 internal and external opportunities each year.

Typically, this involves researching the law, gathering background information, suggesting solutions, meeting clients and drafting letter of advice under the supervision of qualified solicitors.

Students gain exposure to the work of the profession and experience of helping clients with their legal needs with a safety net in place – a healthy number of the qualified solicitors who volunteer their time come from the alumni ranks.

Aligned with government agenda

The University of Law is not a single or dual sited institution. It has multiple campuses across the UK, partnerships with a number of other UK universities, international partnerships and even an online campus with students from all corners of the world (Antarctica is the only unrepresented continent!).

Local relationships are key. Statistics show that ULaw students are 75%+ likely to seek and secure employment in the vicinity of where they studied (it is largely a commuter university). Therefore, students demand local knowledge and value academic, employability and other staff insight on local employers.

The Labour government has placed increasing emphasis on ‘civic engagement’. This is a win/win for The University of Law. Our local/civic engagement is key. Local students align with local issues and often want their pro bono participation to reflect the needs of their community, which vary significantly from city to city.

Pro Bono experience not only leads to life changing outcomes for clients, it directly impacts on the local community too.

As well as seeing how their studies can be applied in practice, students develop invaluable workplace skills to help them shape their future career path and be better able to excel as it unfolds- (alongside their personal lives with its opportunities, commitments, challenges and choices.

Employability for Life comes in rather subtly – exposure to the realities of what can go wrong increases student awareness that they are not immune to the scenarios they find others in such as relationship breakdown, family challenges, homelessness, neighbour disputes and other difficult situations.

Whilst they might hope such challenges won’t materialise, they are better prepared if they do and they should make a more empathetic colleague, manager, client, friend when others face them.

One example is the Stop and Search Scheme with Cheshire Police. A student recorded a TikTok video in the Force’s belief that this would have greater engagement than they would have trying to promote the legalities associated with the scheme – within weeks there had been more than 1 million views.

What next?

Employability for Life would lend itself to supporting ULaw alumni with needs beyond entry level roles. As careers progress and life intertwines, a trusted impartial source of support might be welcomed for scenarios such as: