Key Findings

• There was a consensus about the top-ranked capabilities for graduates across the three stakeholder groups surveyed. The most significant capabilities are:
  
  • Communicates Effectively Verbally,
  • Displays Effective Interpersonal Behaviour,
  • Works in Teams,
  • Solves Problems,
  • Works Independently,
  • Communicates Effectively in Writing,
  • Organises Effectively,
  • Demonstrates Resilience.
• The importance of having effective verbal and written communication, teamwork and interpersonal behaviour skills when entering the workplace.
• The importance of being able to provide prospective employers with evidence of these capabilities, by using the iamcapable tool which proved to be an effective and convenient way to track and share verified evidence of capability development.
• There was no evidence that the capabilities differed substantially from a Kaupapa Māori perspective.
• The Otago Polytechnic Learner capability Framework is ‘fit for purpose,’ providing confidence to continue to implement Learner Capabilities into curricula.

Key Recommendations

Strategies to enhance learner capabilities:

• Student feedback provided a range of suggestions about enhancing capabilities, such as us­ing more real-life scenarios, providing more internships and work experience, many of which are already used in courses and curriculum design.
• Alumni ideas for empowering students in the learning environment and providing more op­portunities for personal growth outside the classroom included spending more time doing collaborative work or projects in the community and having smaller groups.
• Māori interview themes included different interpretations of capabilities relating to cultural competency, safety, and diversity in a Kaupapa Māori context. Translating the capabilities into Te Reo enhanced the understanding of capability in the Kaupapa Māori context.
• Research team recommendations focused on practical aspects such as greater prepara­tion of staff for change by including them in the process via more workshops, seminars, and demonstrations to engage interest.