Developing problem-based learning resources to encourage tomorrow's professionals: The next stage - Fostering the graduate transition from student to professional

Graduate employment continues to be adversely affected by the economic climate. In 2009 the project team set out to improve the employability chances of construction graduates from the University of Glamorgan [UoG]. The project evolved from a variety of Government policy documents from (Leitch, 2006), (Welsh Assembly Government, 2008) and the (RICS, 2010) Consultation Document on employability which emphasises the importance of soft transferable skills which are central to professionalism. The work forms part of an inter-faculty study on professionalism. The faculties consisted of Advanced Technology and Humanities and Social Sciences. This project was partly funded by The Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching [CELT] as part of an Innovation in Learning and Teaching initiative. The methodology employed involved the re-use of a previous questionnaire with students in the first and final years of undergraduate awards. Feedback on professionalism has also been obtained in formal and informal discussions with industry representatives. This ongoing action research project to improve the students' understanding of professionalism has highlighted several questions relating to course content and delivery. These questions include what needs to be incorporated in the curriculum, how and when this is delivered and assessed. Problem based learning has been identified as a vehicle to facilitate the programme. The need to address staff development issues has also been identified. The action research continues.