mySkills - A Reflective Framework for Employability Skills

Learner retention and employability are important metrics within the higher education sector, which places an onus on higher education institutions to ensure learners not only complete their degree programmes but also get employed in graduate-level roles after graduation. Given the competency nature of Computer Science (CS) and Electronic Engineering (EE) programmes, it is easier for these CS/EE learners (in comparison to other majors throughout the university) to demonstrate the skills required by employers within the digital sector. However, a challenge exists in that it can be difficult for learners to see the connections between the core skills taught in their modules and occupational areas. The work in this paper describes ‘mySkills’, which is a reflective framework that allows learners to track and reflect on their skills-level progression throughout their degree programme. This framework was introduced in the academic year 2021/22 as a pilot within the School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science.