Have you heard about the HEAR? Evaluation of initial employer impact of the Higher Education Achievement Record

The Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR) arose as a recommendation from the final Burgess report ‘Beyond the Honours Degree Classification’ and was first implemented in 2012-2013, with wide spread roll out continuing across the UK HEI sector. The HEAR includes a range of University validated activities - with an underpinning focus on employability, therefore the main risk to the Department/ HEI if the HEAR is not effectively implemented is an impact on the employability of their students. There is currently little information available from employers regarding whether they are aware of the HEAR, what they think of HEARs, if they have seen them, or what they would like to see on a HEAR etc. In order to evaluate the initial employer impact of the HEAR we developed a focussed online survey which was administered to over 150 STEM employers and post graduate course admissions tutors and targeted at individuals who participate in the graduate recruitment procedures for the company/organisation. Initial data will be discussed in terms of an evidence base on which to inform future development of the HEAR, to encourage students to engage with relevant HEAR activities and to encourage staff to provide support/ opportunities for students to engage with relevant HEAR activity.