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INTO University Partnerships has introduced Get Work Ready, a pioneering online program designed to help international students in the UK gain vital employability skills while studying, preparing them for future career success.
Employability remains a key concern for UK-bound international students. INTO’s 2024 Global Agent Survey indicated that 87% of the 1,240 recruitment partners surveyed consider career opportunities a major factor when students plan to study abroad.
David Rafferty, Director of Technology Enhanced Learning at INTO University Partnerships, stated: “At INTO University Partnerships, we recognise the challenges international students face in a new academic and professional environment. Our Get Work Ready program is designed to empower students with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in their future careers.”
Get Work Ready is a flexible, self-paced online learning program that gives students the tools to navigate the UK job market and workplace culture, providing them with strategies to enhance their employability and excel in future job roles.
David Rafferty added: “Studying and planning to start a career in a new country can be daunting. With Get Work Ready, we aim to demystify the UK employment landscape and give our students the confidence and skills they need to excel.
“This program reflects our commitment to student success, both academically and professionally, by offering practical, accessible, and relevant resources.”
Students attending any of INTO’s nine UK-based pathway Centres will have access to this online course, which adds an extra layer of support to help students transition smoothly from academic life to the workplace.
The program consists of five key units, which can be completed in any order. Centres may decide to integrate the course content into their academic programmes, offer it for students to complete independently, or guide them through specific units throughout the year.
The five units include:
1. Skills for the Workplace
This unit helps students to explore the key transferable skills that employers seek in new hires, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. It provides a helpful starting point for students to consider their existing skills, including strengths and weaknesses, and how to apply these in a professional environment.
2. INTO Your Future
This unit helps students understand the UK graduate employment market, identify their own career goals and how to identify opportunities to build skills and engage in activities that align with this.
3. Brand You
Here, students learn how to stand out in the competitive job market by identifying and articulating their unique skills and attributes such as on their CV, covering letters, and LinkedIn profile.
4. INTO Your Career
This unit is focused on specific elements of the job application process and offers practical guidance on CV writing, interview techniques, how and where to search for appropriate roles, and crafting a world-class elevator pitch.
5. Preparation for Placement
This optional module provides guidance for students with plans to undertake an internship or work placement. Topics include tips on adjusting to a corporate environment, communicating effectively with colleagues, and how to make a lasting impression.
Designed to be flexible and engaging, the program’s content is delivered through short videos, interactive activities, and quizzes, ensuring an engaging learning experience that students can complete at their own pace.
Poh Leng, Academic Director at INTO City, University of London, said: We are excited to empower students to enhance their professional skill set with the innovative ‘Get Work Ready’ program. Its flexible nature allows the content to be tailored to meet the evolving needs of students, and equip them with essential employability skills as they progress throughout their studies and beyond.”
The program is progressively rolled out to students, with the first unit being rolled out in December 2023. The program will be rolled out across all UK Centres in the 2024-25 academic year, ensuring that all students have access to the full range of resources as they advance in their studies.
To further meet the growing demand for long-term employability support for international students, INTO has also recently introduced its innovative Return & Connect initiative for students planning to return to their home countries after graduating. Return & Connect supports international students secure employment by connecting them with employer and alumni networks, both virtually and in person, providing valuable in-market work experience and networking opportunities during and after completing their studies abroad.
INTO University Partnerships connects talented international students with leading universities in the US, UK, and Australia. Since its inception in 2005, INTO has helped over 150,000 students from more than 180 countries achieve their dream of obtaining a degree from a world-class institution.
