EXCELLENCE IN LEARNING AWARDS 2024
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Judges’ Comments The entrants into this years ‘Best Graduate Programme’ category demonstrated a move back to a foundational skill set required by graduates to engage fully and meaningfully with their work, their work colleagues and environment. While this was articulated as a by- product of the recent pandemic years, there was also a realisation that there were generational aspects at play, in terms of graduate entrants’ expectations surrounding their working environment, their learning and workplace contributions to their overall career trajectory. The mobility of graduates in pursuance of these aspects of working life were very evident. The programmes developed and roll-out as part of this category shared a ‘returning to basics’ approach, calling out the important of connection with colleagues and communication. Skilling graduates with team working skills was highlighted consistently across the programmes in this category. There was acknowledgement of a ‘fundamental’ gap which needed to be bridged to support graduates in transitioning to the workplace. This was stark in comparison to the recognition of the Curriculum Vitae profile, experiences (through both workplace and voluntary activity engagement), of the generation of graduates applying for graduate programmes. Another welcomed trend related to the involvement of senior leaders across all stages of programme conception, development and delivery. For some entrants this translated to a very practical and meaningful presence and mentorship of graduates on a graduate programme. The collaboration with corporate global training units and Higher Education Institutions in providing accreditation and/or recognition for learning emerged for some of the Graduate Programmes presented highlighting a value add for the careers of the graduate cohort. In addition, the take up by global training units of an Irish originating programme
stands testament to the world class quality of learning provision for graduates. Overall, the opportunities enabled for graduates through formalised graduate programmes was impressive. The importance of what is learnt and experienced while on a graduate programme stood out, for the value add to the graduate themselves, the organisation and the various teams, graduate peers and colleagues. This level of exposure and learning engagement for all stakeholders in graduate programmes cannot be underestimated.
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