James Corbin Email and Phone Number

I lead the strategic development of the Careers and Employability Service and, in doing so, support the University in its mission to provide students with the best possible preparation for their future lives, in line with the University’s Employability Strategy. Proactively supporting and leading on developments across the University relating to employability, student work and placements, ensuring the offering to Kent students is industry leading. Providing dynamic leadership to establish the department and ensure employability is embedded throughout the curriculum and the student experience. As part of the wider Student Services directorate, the Head of Careers and Employability plays an important role in ensuring students are well supported and able to succeed whilst at Kent and beyond. This role is key to ensuring students are able to leverage existing networks, build new relationships and overcome barriers to success – whether real or perceived. Leading a team of professional staff, I work with staff from across the University in Academic Schools and Professional Services departments, employers, professional bodies and support organisations, making a real difference to the futures of our students and graduates.

The School Administration Manager is responsible for the provision of administrative, management and key services that support the infrastructure, decision making processes and strategy of the School. As a member of the School Management Group, I supported strategic developments and contributed to the School plan. Responsible for ensuring that effective controls are in place to comply with University regulations and requirements of external bodies and that the School receives the best possible service from all internal and external service providers. Responsible for financial management, Human Resources, recruitment, marketing as well as the smooth running of core School functions such as examinations, coursework, reception and student support.The School moved to a new building in January 2017. The School Administration Manager is the main contact within the School for the new build and is a member of the steering group. I lead on the School settling into the new building, including snagging, issues and making the space work for staff and students alike - including liaison with Estates, contractors, staff and students.It was essential for me to build a strong professional team in a time of transition for the School and I lead and supported staff through this period.

Leading on the strategic development of placements and experiences of work, thereby supporting the University in its mission to provide students with the best possible preparation for their future lives. Managing staff in the Employability Team within the CES I am cultivating a strong offering of work placements and employability skills development across the institution, seeking to enhance the student experience as well as the employability of our students. I provide additional support to the excellent work already underway in academic Schools and will help to build capacity and cross School working. The creation of new opportunities and new relationships with external organisations are fundamental to this and I act as a central contact at the University of Kent for employers offering placements.

Taking forward the Employability Strategy at the University of Kent, I will be working alongside academic colleagues to further increase the ability for students to work in and alongside partners from industry.As part of the dynamic Careers and Employability Service, we will be delivering skills development workshops, supporting guest speakers from industry and working with individual students on developing skills to ensure they are properly equipped for their chosen profession.

In September I was elected to be a full member of the Executive and to sit on the board of trustees. I will be running the External Engagement Working Group which is responsible for developing ASET’s relationship with other organisations. We work closely with the Staff Development Group on conference sponsorship, and with the Membership and Communications Group on growing our corporate membership through employer engagement.In addition, we all work to promote the concept of integrated work-based and placement learning, with support for all those involved: prospective students and their families, HE students, educational staff, employers, professional and statutory regulatory bodies, and Government bodies.

Working with the rest of the ASET Executive Committee to;promote the concept of integrated work-based and placement learning, with support for all those involved: prospective students and their families, HE students, educational staff, employers, professional and statutory regulatory bodies, and Government bodies.In particular I will be focussing on employer engagement and developing links between ASET and industry. This is a voluntary position.

In September I was elected to the office of Vice Chair for ASET. In this role, I will continue to develop the ways in which ASET engages with external stakeholders and furthers its influence over issues related to placement learning. I will also continue to oversee the Regional Hubs which were launched last year to ensure that all members have an opportunity to receive support and advice regardless of their location. The Hubs facilitate individuals addressing local and regional issues, and encourage collaboration between institutions..

I work within Student Support and Guidance in the Employability and Careers Service. I work with students and academic colleagues on developing and embedding relevant skills for employment within the curriculum. I take the lead for employer engagement, work placements and live projects - acting as an adviser and facilitator. I am responsible for liaising with the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, but work across all Departments for developing curriculum and establishing work placements and live projects. The Departments within my Faculty include Media, Art and Design, Music, History and American Studies, English and Language Studies and Theology and Religious Studies. I am always looking for opportunities to develop links between industry, practitioners and our students and staff and strongly encourage people to contact me

My role focussed predominantly on developing links with SMEs in the region, fostering links and listening to their requirements. Foremost, my role was to distinguish the appropriateness of various placement schemes for the needs of companies.I held various networking events which saw attendance top 100 people and focussed on potential collaborations between the University and industry. My role also allowed opportunities to talk to employers about funding opportunities and potential collaborations.I worked as a centrally placed resource to develop best practice within the institution, to support colleagues across the University and to work with employers to ensure all stakeholders received maximum benefit from activities.The role also afforded me the opportunity to work with students to prepare them for the world of work and support them whilst in industry.

Working as part of the Recruitment, Information and Guidance Unit based in Admissions, my role centered around delivering information about accessing Higher Education (and in particular the University of Kent) to students, parents, teachers and Careers Advisers.