Accepting employability as a purpose of higher education? Academics' perceptions and practices. Issue 6 (3rd June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sin, Cristina; Tavares, Orlanda; Amaral, Alberto
• Is Part Of: Studies in higher education. Volume 44:Issue 6(2019)
• Page Start: 920
• Page End: 931
• Publication Date: 2019-06-03
• Subjects: Employability -- teaching and learning -- Bologna process -- higher education policy -- academics' perceptions -- purpose of higher education; Education, Higher -- Periodicals; 378.005
• DOI: 10.1080/03075079.2017.1402174
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0307-5079

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study explores Portuguese academics' acceptance of employability as a purpose for higher education further to the Bologna reforms, focusing on their understandings of employability and their teaching practices. The data were gathered through focus groups in which participated around 70 academics from 3 disciplinary areas, belonging to different institutional types. Findings suggest that there are different degrees of acceptance of employability as a purpose for higher education, varying by discipline and type of institution. Irrespective of the differences in perceptions of employability, all academics engage in teaching practices associated to the development of employability, although with different ends in mind. While Computer Engineering and Management academics aim to train professionals fitting into specific employment, for Arts academics such teaching methods aim to introduce students to artistic practice. These findings warn against equating employability with crude indicators of employment and using it as a performance indicator.