Universities told to teach employability

Universities should be teaching students skills that will make them more employable, one expert has said.

According to Fiona Hyslop, the Education and Lifelong Learning Secretary, graduates need to learn the value of employability at university.

'In the modern economy, employers are looking for graduates to hit the ground running and to start to make an immediate impact on the business,' she warned.

Speaking at Napier University's Skills for Scotland event, Ms Hyslop stated that undergraduates had not always needed employability skills.

'In the past it has been possible for some students to pass through university successfully and only begin to develop their employability skills once they move into the world of work,' she said.

She remarked that 'this is no longer possible.'

It was revealed yesterday by Tom Griffiths of gapyear.com that more students are embarking on work experience - particularly in the profession they eventually hope to join - during their gap year.