Recognising the growing importance of employability within higher education, the IHE Student Advisory Board (SAB) initiated a project to examine how effectively industry partnerships support students in building practical skills, confidence, and meaningful connections with employers. The project also sought to define what high-quality, inclusive, and impactful industry engagement should look like from a student perspective.
The research draws on two strands of evidence: a focus group held on 5 March 2026 with SAB members, and a follow-up survey designed to test and extend emerging themes across a wider student sample. Together, these methods provide robust insight into lived student experience and the consistency of key issues across a broader cohort.
This report presents the findings of that research, exploring the role of industry partnerships in higher education and their contribution to student employability and career readiness. It sets out the key themes emerging from the evidence, articulates what students value most, and offers recommendations for providers seeking to strengthen the impact of employer engagement on student outcomes.
Key themes:
- Employability and career readiness - employability is the most important benefit students associate with industry partnerships.
- Confidence and belonging - building confidence was a recurring theme, particularly among students who are changing careers or who lack existing professional networks.
- Access, inclusion and barriers to engagement - barriers to participation in industry opportunities were reported by focus group participants and survey respondents.
Download and read the full report: