As we approach the end of 2023 and break for the holidays, I want to take this opportunity to reflect on our development and achievements within the Careers, Employability, and Skills team at Queen’s within the last year.

We are proud to announce that the 2023 HESA results have ranked Queen’s first in the Russell Group for overall Graduate Outcomes with the highest percentage of full-time undergraduates, securing either a graduate-level job or are in further study place now at a record high of 82%.

We celebrated the one-year anniversary of being located in the One Elmwood Student Centre, a thriving heart of Queen’s campus and a hub for university life. We continue to focus on the Future-Ready Roadmap designed to help students progress their employability and skills during their time at Queen’s. This has further developed engagement with Queen’s staff, students, and employers and will continue into 2024.

The Cube has proven to be the perfect location for Career development workshops, employer events, and much more, while Mandela Hall has played host to both our Spring and Autumn Recruitment Fairs.

This space continues to evolve in tandem with the needs of its occupants and brings a sense of community to students, staff, and visitors.

The Careers, Employability, and Skills team has risen to many challenges throughout 2023, and we will continue to support students and help in many areas surrounding the core ambitions of the University.

We are working with employers and utilising research to understand the competencies that will be required from future graduates and provide skill development opportunities for students within key areas.

In 2023, we engaged with over 2,000 employers, held 100s of events, and helped over 10,000 students with CV support, guidance, skills support, and placement opportunities both locally and globally.

We look forward to providing our ongoing first-class services to Queen’s students in 2024 and supporting the growth of the knowledge-based economy in Northern Ireland.

As we enter 2024, the overarching vision remains to shape the development of future-ready graduates. We are encouraged by the enormous scope of possibilities, and we are focused on working in partnership with our key stakeholders to help students identify their strengths, recognise their potential, and make informed choices about their future.

We hope every student is encouraged to try new things, meet new people, and build skills and experience while at Queen’s. We aim to equip our students and graduates with the skills they need to be future-ready.

We wish you Happy Holidays and a prosperous New Year from all the Careers, Employability, and Skills staff.

Trevor Johnston Head of Careers, Employability and Skills.