Nelson Mandela once said “Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world” but what is education? There are many definitions. One is that from Albert Einstein whilst often misquoted said something paraphrased as “Education is what remains after everything you have ever learned has been forgotten”.
So … we appear to be grappling with something that could be construed as quite intangible and more art form rather than science. But what exactly is it that remains and how can we look to build and harness it?
Uppermost in many students’ minds given the ever rising costs within higher education is the prospect of ‘employability’. There has therefore been an increasing trend to characterising employability through the use of simple algorithms and whilst not scientific they are very a very useful tool as a focus & guide to good education. As such they are appearing more frequently in use at both schools and universities and there have been a number of different versions of varying complexity. For example, one version is:
E = Q + E +(C x N)2
Where: E = Overall Employability
Q = Qualification
E = Experience
C = Competency
N = Networks
If E is an individual overall employability potential, then first is Q – the qualification or the level of attainment. Qualifications might ordinarily be related to a particular discipline or subject area specialism and hence knowledge based e.g. “what do you know now that you didn’t know before?” The second E is experience – not necessarily always work related but can be life experiences such as travel or particular activity from which an individual has learned and benefitted. The third C is competency. This is not so much about “what do you know?” but more about “what can you do?” Competency can be defined as the ability to apply a skill. A simple example might be a presentation skill. This becomes a powerful competency if an individual can apply that skill to present in a variety of different circumstances e.g. small or large audiences, subordinate, peer group or superordinate etc. Last but by no means least is N for networks. The old saying “it’s not what you know but who you know” rings increasingly true – especially with the growth of digital technology and increasing access to the plethora of social media channels which are now an intrinsic part of many peoples lives. Networks have never been so accessible and extensive. Never overlook networks in pursuit of employability in which there are powerful stakeholders. Many key positions are filled by those who prudently develop and operate through networks.
The particular importance of competency (C) and networks (N) is recognised in this algorithm by identifying them as a product raised to the power 2 or squared. The impact and hence contribution to employability is therefore significantly enhanced.
Putting it all together and building both competency & networks around a solid base of knowledge and experience begins to shape how by adopting this particular algorithm, the education process could seek to tick all the boxes. Emphasis may well be different for different courses of study but the point is the need to be conscious & consider how each factor might be embedded in both teaching and assessment.
The conclusion might then be that the powerful weapon alluded to by Nelson Mandela and the concept of good education being what remains after all is forgotten alluded to by Albert Einstein could well be employability. Those receiving a good education should evolve to become truly employable and effective in whatever context employment in life is eventually pursued.
Andy Hirst
Senior Lecturer – Business School