Employer focus groups

Employer focus groups are designed:

• to obtain information from the profession on the attributes or qualities that the profession considers important in graduates from a degree program
• to begin and/or continue a dialogue with people in the profession
• to increase awareness amongst key employers of the type of graduates that the major is producing, and
• to ensure that the curriculum of the degree program is taking into account the needs of key stakeholders in particular future employers and relevant industry groups.

Employer focus groups are conducted by the Teaching and Learning Centre in conjunction with Schools of Study across the university.

The Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC)

The TLC aims to enhance the quality of teaching and learning at Murdoch University through work with academic staff and students on the South Street, Rockingham and Peel campuses. See http://www.tlc.murdoch.edu.au/ for further information on the TLC.

The School Development Process

One of the key ways in which the TLC is involved in enhancing teaching and learning is by providing leadership and support to Schools of Study across the university in the lead up to School Reviews. Each School undergoes a review every 5 years and for the year prior to this review the TLC is involved in a range of activities designed to assist the School in curriculum development and renewal and in the collection of data for the review. The process of curriculum renewal and/or development involves:

• ensuring that students graduate with the skills and knowledge expected by the field of study and employers in relevant professions and industry
• ensuring that in a degree program students are exposed to all nine of Murdoch’s Graduate Attributes (http://www.tlc.murdoch.edu.au/gradatt/mapping.html) and that attributes that are identified as key to the field of study are integrated into the curriculum
• assisting staff to renew their units to ensure they are up-to-date, flexible and of high quality
• working with academic staff on improving teaching and learning in the School, and
• seeking input from employers on their expectations of graduates.

TLC staff involved in employer focus groups

Lorraine Marshall, Head of First Year Experience (Assoc Professor)

Christina Ballantyne, Employer focus group leader (Project Officer, Educational Development)

Pam Struthers, Manager of School Development Process