Lancaster University has been named the overall winner of the Abintegro Employability Index Award 2021.

This is the second time Lancaster University has scooped the annual award, which is based on the ‘Abintegro Employability Index’ – an online platform that analyses the use of interactive careers and employability learning activities from thousands of students across more than 100 qualifying institutions.

Many universities, like Lancaster, use UK technology company, Abintegro, to support student employability via multiple online tools to boost career prospects and professional development. Among the many e-learning tools used at Lancaster include resources for change management, leadership, negotiation, mentoring and compliance. These are offered alongside careers resources such as an Artificial Intelligence CV scanner and online interview tool; up-to-date job sector information, information on jobs vacancies around the world and tools to boost employability, manage your career progression and success from application to retirement.

Sarah Fox, Director of Employability at Lancaster University, said: “We are thrilled to receive this award for the second year in recognition of the innovative work we are doing to not only develop and expand our online offer to students and graduates, but also ensure these valuable resources are available to our staff and alumni.

“At Lancaster, employability is much more than just helping students find work – it is about equipping our students with the skills they need for their lives ahead. We are committed to supporting our students to become ambitious, industrious and well-prepared graduates, who have the transferable skills they need to be confident entering their careers.

“Students can access our online support voluntarily at any time, but important careers and employability learning and assessments are also embedded into our modules, enhancing teaching and providing students with ready access to an array of resources.

“I’d like to pass on my heartfelt thanks to the whole team for embracing and developing this approach which has resulted in this award and helped enhance the accessibility and breadth of our employability offer to Lancaster’s students and graduates.”

Peter Sewell, Postgraduate Careers Manager at Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) collected the award on behalf of the University alongside Careers Adviser, David Mashiter. Peter said: “The Abintegro platform has enabled us to embed careers education in the LUMS curriculum, from 1^st year undergraduate through to Executive MBA. Our students have really engaged with the offer and, particularly during the last year, having a highly developed, comprehensive, user friendly, online provision has been central to supporting our students’ career aspirations.”

Lancaster University was ranked third in the UK for graduate prospects in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020 and Complete University Guide 2021 with 89% of Lancaster students going into professional work or further education after graduation.