This badge shows completion of the short course ‘Law Business IT Skills’, which is part of the wider University Professional Skills Academy. The 'Law Business IT Skills' short course aims to empower students to define specific goals for their professional skills development and future career development. To receive the badge students will need to participate in a business simulation exercise that can be completed in person or remotely. The 'Law Business IT Skills' business simulation workshop has been created following input from the UoS Law Business Advisory Board and skills developed within the business simulation have been echoed by Scotland Law Society. Having input from these law firms and organisations gives this digital badge credibility within the law industry.
Time management is the capacity to organize and plan tasks, prioritize responsibilities, and allocate time efficiently to increase productivity and accomplish objectives.
Microsoft Outlook is a personal information management software by Microsoft, primarily functioning as an email client, with additional capabilities such as calendar, task, contact, and note-taking features.
Microsoft Word is a popular word processing program that allows users to create, edit, format, and print documents, offering collaboration, design, and document management tools.
Action planning entails outlining strategies, arranging tasks, assigning resources, and establishing deadlines to accomplish targeted objectives within a set timeframe.
Critical Reflection is a systematic analysis of one's thoughts, actions, and results to enhance personal growth and comprehension of broader consequences.
The Law Business IT Skills digital badge aligns with the Stirling Graduate Attributes: 1. Be digitally literate – giving students the capabilities needed to live, learn and work in a digital society 2. Be responsible – allowing students to take responsibility of their own behaviour, learning, future and wellbeing.
To earn the badge, students will need to attend the business simulation workshop and complete a series of activities. These would then form their portfolio of evidence, which is assessed by the facilitator to achieve the badge.
This badge shows completion of the short course ‘The Team Player’, which is part of the wider University Professional Skills Academy. The 'Team Player' short course aims to promote team/group working and foster a culture of collaboration within both the academic and business environment. It emphasises the value the University of Stirling places on teamwork/group work and aims to provide students with the opportunity to put their learning to the test both within the classroom and a real-world setting, building their confidence, ability to understand and build relationships to work in a successful and collaborative way.
Teamwork entails a collective endeavor of individuals to attain a shared objective, accomplished through effective communication, coordination, and reciprocal support.
Communication is the process of exchanging thoughts, data, and emotions via speech, writing, and non-verbal cues, promoting comprehension and productive cooperation.
Collaboration refers to the process of cooperating with others to accomplish a shared objective, utilizing different viewpoints, abilities, and expertise via open communication and teamwork.
Problem solving refers to the ability to identify, analyze, and creatively resolve issues through systematic and critical thinking, overcoming obstacles to achieve effective solutions.
Critical thinking refers to the skill of impartially assessing and evaluating information to make a well-informed decision, characterized by skepticism and scrutiny of assumed facts.
Reflective practices involve analyzing experiences and outcomes to enhance personal and professional growth through continuous self-evaluation and critical thinking.
The Team working and team dynamics digital badge aligns with the Stirling Graduate Attributes of: 1. Be digitally literate – giving students the capabilities needed to live, learn, and work in a digital society. 2. Be innovative – being curious and looking for opportunities to continue to learn, reflect and apply new knowledge and skills in both a classroom and employer perspective. 3. Be socially intelligent – Enabling students to openly communicate and listen in a way that creates mutual understanding with other within a team or group setting. 4. Be responsible – allowing students to take responsibility of their own behaviour, learning, future, and wellbeing. Always looking for opportunities to continue to learn, reflect and apply new knowledge and skills in a positive sustainable way, with both a local and world perspective.
To earn the digital badge, students would complete 3 stages of activity: **Pre-Workshop** - Complete the team working/careers pathway. - Undertake a review of the academic modules they have coming up and note which modules have an element of team/group work associated with them. - Think about the last couple of teams/group-based scenarios they found themselves in, note down what went well, what could have been improved and what role they played within the team/group. **Workshop Session** A facilitated workshop session including sessions on: - what is team working and how to work within a team effectively? - what are the different stages of team development and how to navigate through each stage effectively? - applying your knowledge and testing your skills in working within a team - holding group reflection and self-reflection discussions. **Post-Workshop** - Submit their team working business challenge case study to provide evidence that they have learned how a team is formed and how to work most effectively as a team. - Complete a team working/group work scenario-based exercise/quiz to test their understanding post-workshop.
St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocesan Multi Academy Trust
St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocesan Multi Academy Trust, have provided us with the team working and group working business challenge. This business challenge will form part of the digital badge assessment/evidence portfolio and provide students with the opportunity to apply their learning in a real-life business world scenario. St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocesan Multi Academy Trust will also be supplying a short introductory video to the business scenario and a _‘this is how we would have completed the challenge video'_ once the students have submitted their answers. This video will help the students to self-mark their own work and be an aid to help with their self-reflections and next step activities.
At Stirling, we want our students to be prepared and confident about undertaking their work placement or work-based project as part of their degree. This digital badge shows completion of the 'Work-Based Learning Ready!' short course and aims to provide students with tools and techniques to succeed in their work placement or project. It also aims to help address any concerns and ensure that students are confident and ready to make the most of their work placement/work-based project.
Collaborative Networking entails actively building and nurturing relationships for mutual advantage and knowledge sharing among various stakeholders and professionals.
Project planning entails the methodical approach to establishing project goals, scope, timelines, resources, and milestones for successful project execution and completion.
Mind mapping is a method of visually organizing ideas, tasks, or concepts in a tree-like diagram around a central theme.
Microsoft Planner is a collaborative task management application within the Microsoft 365 suite, offering organized planning with visual elements, tasks, deadlines, and progress tracking for teams.
Microsoft Teams is a platform for team collaboration, offering features like workplace chat, video meetings, file storage, and application integration to enhance project management and team coordination.
Gantt Charts are visual aids for project management, displaying task schedules, progress, and durations along a timeline, enabling efficient coordination and communication among team members.
The ‘Work-Based Learning Ready!’ digital badge aligns with the Stirling Graduate Attributes of: 1. Be digitally literate – giving students the capabilities needed to live, learn and work in a digital society 2. Be innovative – make a difference and have an impact when working in a live work environment and deliver as part of an effective placement/project. 3. Be socially intelligent – equipping students with the skills and professional behaviours to succeed in a live work and social environment. 4. Be responsible – allowing students to take responsibility for their own behaviour, learning, future and wellbeing.
To earn the digital badge, students would complete 3 stages of activity: **Pre-Workshop** - Familiarise themselves with the Work Placement & Work-Based Project Policy. - Undertake Desk Research on the company they will be working with. - Update their LinkedIn profile (with support from Careers). **Workshop Session** A facilitated workshop session including sessions on: - supporting an effective placements/project - surfacing concerns about placement/project - effectively managing placements/project: Project Management Tools and Techniques, Logic Modelling Techniques - professional behaviours and building a professional network - Our Work Placement & Work-Based Project Policy. **Post-Workshop** - Submit their Work Placement/Work-Based Project Agreement & Risk Assessment to provide evidence that they have had your work placement or work-based project agreed and risk assessed in line with University policy. - Complete a professional behaviours scenario-based exercise/quiz to test their understanding post-workshop.
This badge shows completion of the Communications Pathway and is part of the wider University Professional Skills Academy.
Presentation skills refer to the capability of conveying information clearly, concisely, and attractively to an audience while keeping them engaged.
Business writing refers to the skill of creating well-structured, clear, and professional content for corporate settings, such as reports, emails, proposals, and presentations.
ltural Awareness is the capability to acknowledge, comprehend, and honor dissimilarities and commonalities in culture, promoting successful communication and engagement in diverse settings through valuing varied viewpoints and customs.
Self-confidence represents a firm trust in one's own abilities and judgment, allowing one to approach challenges and decisions with composure and decisiveness.
Body Language Awareness refers to the skill of detecting and deciphering non-verbal signals, like gestures, postures, and facial expressions, enabling the comprehension and appropriate reaction to unspoken messages.
Negotiation is a process where parties engage in communication, persuasion, and strategic concessions to reach mutually beneficial agreements while balancing their interests.
Empathy is the capacity to comprehend and relate to the emotions of others, promoting caring relationships and successful communication.
Conflict resolution is the process of addressing disagreements in a reasonable, equitable, and effective manner to achieve a harmonious, mutually agreeable outcome.
Active listening is the skill of fully concentrating on, comprehending, and responding to spoken information, which enhances communication and shows engagement.
Assertiveness is the capability to express one's opinions openly and confidently, while also considering others' feelings, promoting straightforward, truthful, and non-hostile communication.
The presentations skills digital badge aligns with the Stirling Graduate Attributes of: 1. Be digitally literate – giving students the capabilities needed to live, learn, and work in a digital society. 2. Be innovative – being curious and looking for opportunities to continue to learn, reflect and apply new knowledge and skills in both a classroom and employer perspective. 3. Be socially intelligent – Enabling students to openly communicate and listen in a way that creates impact with their voice. 4. Be responsible – allowing students to take responsibility of their own behaviour, learning, future, and wellbeing.
To earn this badge, students need to complete the following steps of the Communications Pathway: - Presentation Pro - The Assertive Advocate - The Confident Communicator - Writing for Business
This badge shows completion of the short course ‘The Confident Communicator,’ which is part of the wider University Professional Skills Academy. Communication skills are crucial for success in both personal and professional life because they enable effective information exchange, build strong relationships, and facilitate problem-solving. Clear and respectful communication fosters trust and positive working relationships among colleagues, leading to better teamwork and collaboration. The Confident Communicator module aims to help students develop an awareness of their confidence in their communication levels and provide them with tools to create a confident impression in all situations both personally and professionally. This badge also forms part of the Versatile Communicator Pathway.
Self-awareness is the conscious understanding of one's character, emotions, motivations, and desires, allowing for personal insight and recognition of one's influence on others.
Growth Mindedness is a persistent pursuit of learning and betterment, involving the acceptance of challenges, perseverance through obstacles, and seeing effort as a means to mastery and competence.
Interviewing entails evaluating and interacting with job applicants via organized discussions to ascertain their fitness for a particular position or chance.
Self-Reflection is the introspective ability to analyze one's own thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, fostering a deeper understanding of oneself and enhancing decision-making.
To earn the digital badge, students would complete 3 stages of activity: 1. **Pre-Workshop:** Complete interactive and online materials to prepare students for active participation in the upcoming workshop. 2. **Workshop Session (plus live employer panel event):** Attend an in person interactive workshop. 3. **Post-Workshop:** Consolidate student learning, assess understandings of key concepts of the module and encourage reflection. ### Learning Outcomes By successfully completing the Confident Communicator module and earning the associated digital badge students will be able to demonstrate: - increased confidence when communicating in both personal and professional situations - be able to use a range of techniques and strategies for effective communication - know how to make a memorable first impression and why this is important - have developed greater insight into their personal growth and communicating style - know how to build and foster strong relationships.
Students will need to complete pre-work prior to attending the workshops and log these activities within the Canvas discuss board and / or within their CPD document. Students will be required, to attend an in-person workshop. Post workshop, submit their employer/peer interview to the Professional Skills Academy site, along with completing a confident communicator 10 quiz to test their understanding. Students will also be expected to update their CPD and next steps.
This badge shows completion of the short course ‘The Assertive Advocate,’ which is part of the wider University Professional Skills Academy. Assertiveness skills are an essential component of effective communication; it involves confidently expressing yourself while respecting others’ opinions. Being assertive can help you make an impact in a positive way, ensuring that you are perceived in the way you intend to be. The 'Assertive Advocate' short course aims to help students be clear about the messages they want to communicate, and the impact on other people. Students will also develop active listening skills to help diffuse conflict situations in a positive and productive way. This badge also forms part of the Versatile Communications Pathway.
To earn the digital badge, students would complete 3 stages of activity: 1. **Pre-Workshop:** Complete interactive and online materials to prepare students for active participation in the upcoming workshop. 2. **Workshop Session (plus live employer panel event):** Attend an in person interactive workshop. 3. **Post-Workshop:** Consolidate student learning, assess understandings of key concepts of the module and encourage reflection. ### Learning Outcomes By successfully completing the Assertive Advocate module and earning the associated digital badge students will be able to demonstrate: - increased confidence when faced with a difficult situation or when handling conflict - be able to use a range of techniques and strategies for dealing with conflict - have developed body language and active listening skills - have developed greater insight into their personal growth and different ways of handling disagreements and disputes in a positive way.
Students will need to complete pre-work prior to attending the workshops and log these activities within the Canvas discuss board and / or within their CPD document. Students will be required, to attend an in-person workshop. Post workshop, submit their business role play observations, reflections, and recommendations to the Professional Skills Academy site, along with completing an assertiveness and conflict handling quiz to test their understanding. Students will also be expected to update their CPD and next steps.
This badge shows completion of the short course ‘Presentation Pro,’ which is part of the wider University Professional Skills Academy. The Presentation Pro Digital Badge aims to support our students to develop their presentation skills and become effective communicators helping them achieve their goals in life both professional and personally. This module provides our students with the opportunity to put their learning to the test with the ultimate challenge of seeing if they can captivate an audience from the first words they say, using techniques for making their messages clear and memorable. Exploring the power of their voice and develop their own unique style of communicating. This badge also forms part of the Versatile Communicator Pathway.
Effective communication refers to the skillful expression of information and ideas, using various methods, to achieve shared comprehension and fruitful engagement.
Public speaking is the skill of presenting ideas persuasively and engagingly to an audience, using oratory methods to influence, educate, or captivate listeners.
Cross-cultural Language and Academic Development
Cross-cultural Language and Academic Development is the capability to successfully educate, interact, and work in various cultural and linguistic environments, improving educational experiences and results for students from different backgrounds.
Relationship development refers to the skill of creating and fostering professional ties through clear communication, trust-building, and consistent interaction to achieve mutual benefits.
To earn the digital badge, students need to complete 3 stages of activity: 1. **Pre-Workshop**: Complete interactive and online materials to prepare students for active participation in the upcoming workshop. 2. **Workshop Session (plus live employer panel event)**: Attend an in person interactive workshop and present to a live employer panel. 3. **Post-Workshop**: Consolidate student learning, assess understandings of key concepts of the module and encourage reflection. ### Learning Outcomes By successfully completing the presentation pro module and earning the associated digital badge students will be able to demonstrate: - increased confidence in delivering presentations - be able to use a range of techniques and strategies for effective communication - know how to make a memorable impact on their audiences - have developed greater insight into their personal growth and presentation style.
Students will need to complete pre-work prior to attending the workshops and log these activities within the Canvas discuss board or within their CPD document. Students will be required to attend two in person workshops: a) a presentation skills interactive learning workshop, and b) employer live panel presentation event. Students will be required to complete post-workshop activities in the form of submit their video presentation, and their reflective feedback to the Professional Skills Academy site, along with completing a presentation technique quiz to test their understanding. Students will also be expected to update their CPD and next steps.
This badge shows completion of the short course ‘Writing for Business’, which is part of the wider University Professional Skills Academy. This badge also forms part of the Communications Pathway. The 'Writing for Business' short course aims to help students develop clear, concise and professional communication skills and be able to apply those in various contexts, such as when writing reports, communicating via emails, producing marketing materials, writing speeches, etc. It also aims to help students gain practical, workplace-ready skills, enable them to tackle a variety of writing tasks, identify communication methods based on audience and communicate their message with impact.
Writing is the skill of expressing ideas, thoughts, and information clearly and coherently in written form, using proper grammar for different communication purposes.
To earn the digital badge, students would complete 3 stages of activity: **Pre-Workshop** - Complete self-study units in Canvas, analysing communications, writing objectives, contexts and Genre Conventions. - Complete self-study units in Canvas, on adapting professional communications to different audiences. - Complete a personal reflection exercise, helping students to identify which written communication styles fit within different professions to help increase commercial awareness and areas for their personal career development. **Workshop Session (X2)** 2 facilitated workshop sessions including sessions on: - Recognising and describing different kinds of communications - Analysing authentic communication situations - Recognising mechanical, stylistic and terminological differences between different professional text - Critical annotation of real examples of communications (emails, memos, sections of reports), with contexts provided - Participate in a variety of activities and extension activities using authentic examples of different types of written communication and in different scenarios. **Post-Workshop** - Students will select a written communication task from our employer selection menu (this could be writing a persuasive speech, listening to a meeting and writing notes, preparing a news article, creating an email marketing campaign, or writing a report). Assessment is to provide evidence that students have applied their learning and developed skills for the future workplace. - Complete a variety of different written communication style quizzes within Canvas to test their knowledge and understanding. - Complete their CPD next steps, linking to skills identified within the writing for business module.
Students will need to complete pre-work and submit work following attendance at the workshop sessions. Post-session, submit their Writing for Business assignments as evidence that they are able to transfer their knowledge on how to use their academic writing skills and transfer their new knowledge into creating workplace documents that deliver on impact with their intended messages. They will also complete writing for business scenario-based exercise/quiz to test their understanding through the digital badge using a variety of interactive tools. These activities will either be completed within the Professional Skills Academy Canvas site or uploaded as an assessment for marking and feedback. Marking and feedback will follow the UoS marking and feedback policy regulations.
This badge shows completion of the short course ‘Transitioning into Higher Education,’ which is part of the wider University Professional Skills Academy. The Transitioning into Higher Education Digital Badge aims to help students bridge the gap between their previous experiences of education, i.e., school, college, and university, and support them with their expectations and navigation of study at HE. It will also provide students with key skill development that underpins future success and will ensure students are adaptable, resilient and confident in their progression ability.
Academic Integrity refers to the moral commitment to uphold principles such as honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and accountability in scholarly activities and assignments.
Academic Standards refer to the established measures of educational attainment, outlining the essential skills and knowledge students should acquire at different stages of their academic career.
Creativity refers to the capability of producing unique and imaginative concepts, solutions, or products that challenge traditional thinking and expand possibilities.
Change management is a structured method for shifting groups and organizations from their present state to a planned future state, maximizing acceptance and reducing opposition.
Metacognition refers to the knowledge and awareness of one's thought processes, which allows for introspection of learning methods and the adaptation of cognitive strategies to enhance problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
The Transitioning into Higher Education digital badge aligns with the ‘Stirling Graduate Attributes of: 1. Be a Subject specialist – giving students the skills and abilities to navigate HE and become a successful learner. 2. Be Innovative – being curious and looking for opportunities to continue to learn, reflect and apply new knowledge. 3. Be Socially intelligent – enabling students to be self-aware and demonstrate skills to enhance their learning experiences both within an academic and social environment. 4. Be digitally literate – giving students the ability and knowledge on how to use technology to support their academic studies. 5. Be responsible - allowing students to take responsibility of their own behaviour, learning, future, and wellbeing.
To earn the digital badge, students need to complete 3 stages of activity: 1. **Pre-Workshop:** - Complete interactive self-study units in Canvas, on self-reflection, self-monitoring and developing a growth mindset. - Complete interactive self-study units in Canvas, on good academic practice, acceptable use of AI, and avoiding plagiarism and misconduct. - Complete a reflection exercise, helping students to identify their strengths and development areas through a ‘skills audit’ exercise. 2. **Workshop Session:** - Help students to bridge the gap between their previous experiences and university. - Overcome the 'hidden curriculum' implicit with HE studies. - Clarify expectations of study within HE. - Explore the structure of HE; how a degree is calculated, how modules work, how SCQF levels impact students. - Highlight skills which will underpin future success. - Introduce students to the importance of creativity in academic practice. 3. **Post-Workshop:** - Complete a variety of different transition into HE interactive style quizzes within Canvas to assess their learning and development skills to successfully progress into higher education. - Complete a variety of different transition into HE interactive style quizzes within Canvas to evaluate their level of knowledge and understanding of the available sources of support for both pastoral and academic needs. - Complete their CPD next steps, linking to skills identified within their skills audit and personal reflections following the completion of their transition into HE digital badge.
To earn this badge, students will need to: 1. work though the online materials, including interactive self-assessment activities 2. complete and achieve passing marks on all of the end of unit tests 3. complete a self-assessment skill audit 4. attend and participate in a live interactive workshop 5. complete ‘real-world’ academic assessment activities, which will be marked by the SSE team 6. complete a ‘next steps’ CPD activity to further develop their commitment to continuous learning.
Placement and Internship Provider: Bronze Level
Placement and Internship Provider: Bronze Level badge image
The Bronze Badge recognises employers who provide safe, supportive and compliant placement or internship opportunities for University of Stirling students. Bronze partners form the foundation of our industry engagement ecosystem, offering students their first meaningful entry point into the professional workplace. Employers awarded this badge demonstrate a commitment to structured learning, clear communication and adherence to Work Based Learning (WBL) quality standards.
Be Responsible: ensuring safe and ethical working environments | Be Innovative: supporting student development through real professional contexts | Be Socially Intelligent: fostering communication, collaboration, and workplace awareness
### Bronze: Light Touch Storytelling – Low effort, awareness-raising, promotional support To achieve the Bronze Placement & Internship Partnership Badge, organisations must: 1. host at least one student placement or internship within a single academic year 2. provide a designated workplace mentor responsible for guiding, supporting, and supervising the student 3. deliver a structured induction, including role overview, expectations and objectives, workplace culture and health & safety information. 4. submit required Work Based Learning (WBL) documentation, including placement / project proposal or internship contract, role description, learning objectives, health & safety checklist, workplace risk assessment and final evaluation. ### Optional Enhancement Activities Recipients can demonstrate _any one_: > 1. Provide a programme linked LinkedIn recommendation or article. > 2. Share a short testimonial (50–150 words) about hosting a Stirling student for use on our employer website. > 3. Share **3–5 ‘Top Tips’** for entering your industry. --- ### Employer Outcomes Employers earning the Bronze Badge evidence: - a commitment to safe, supportive, ethical learning environments - compliance with University of Stirling WBL policies and risk management standards - clear communication of expectations, responsibilities, and workplace processes - foundational support for student development through mentoring and onboarding. --- ### Demonstrated Skills This badge recognises employers who demonstrate: - Professionalism: providing structured, responsible supervision - Student-centred support: ensuring wellbeing and meaningful learning - Workplace readiness support: enabling real-world skill development - Compliance & accountability: meeting documentation and safety requirements
Work Based Learning (WBL) Quality Standards
This badge is also aligned with the **WBL Quality Standards**: - Induction - Learning objectives - Mentoring - Evaluation & feedback --- ### Verification and Renewal All evidence is reviewed annually by the University of Stirling Employer Placement & Internship Partnership Validation Panel to confirm ongoing compliance with Bronze standards. Badges may be renewed, upgraded, downgraded, or placed under review depending on quality review outcomes and student feedback.
Assessment includes review of submitted documentation (proposal or internship contract, role description, learning objectives, health & safety forms, risk assessments), mentor arrangements and induction processes to confirm alignment with WBL quality standards and student feedback, including final evaluations and placement reflections. The Employer Placement & Internship Partnership Validation Panel evaluates the completeness and quality of evidence, the effectiveness of student support arrangements, and indicators of student satisfaction. Additional checks or follow up may be requested where issues are identified.
Placement and Internship Provider: Gold Level
Placement and Internship Provider: Gold Level badge image
The Gold Badge recognises employers who act as long-term, high-impact strategic partners in developing University of Stirling talent. Gold partners demonstrate exceptional commitment to student employability through sustained collaboration, paid talent pathways, cocreated outputs, and senior-level engagement. These organisations contribute to employability strategy, drive innovation in student development and champion the transition from study into meaningful employment.
Be Ambitious: clear pathways into meaningful graduate careers | Be Connected: deep and sustained industry–university collaboration | Be Responsible: ethical, inclusive, high-quality employment practice
### Gold: Strategic Partnership & High Impact To achieve the Gold Placement & Internship Partnership Badge, organisations must meet: 1. all Bronze requirements 2. Gold compulsory criteria, and 3. any **three** additional strategic commitments. ### Gold Compulsory Criteria Employers must demonstrate one of the following: - a continuous 5+ year partnership with the University, or - hosting 3–5+ students annually (placements, internships, or live project opportunities). ### Additional Strategic Criteria Recipients can demonstrate _any three:_ > ### 1. Paid Talent Development > - Provide paid internships, part-time roles, graduate offers, or recurring paid projects. > - Offer full or partial placement/internship stipends to widen access. > - Enter into a formal internship/placement partnership (e.g., MOU) guaranteeing at least one student internship annually, enabling the University to promote the opportunity as part of programme marketing. > > ### 2. Strategic Visibility & Cocreated Outputs > - Cocreate a dual POV (student + employer) case study video > - Support major student outputs (publications, toolkits, campaigns, industry reports) > - Sponsor an award category at the Employer–Student Showcase > > ### 3. Enhanced Engagement & Long-term Contribution > - Provide a real-world challenge brief for curriculum or workshops. > - Participate in Employer Business Advisory Boards or strategic roundtables. > - Host a site visit, workplace immersion, or behind-the-scenes tour. > - Provide anonymised datasets or scenarios for applied learning. --- ### Employer Outcomes Gold partners evidence: - long-term, strategic leadership in early talent development - clear support for students transitioning into meaningful employment - active contribution to institutional storytelling and impact narratives - senior leadership involvement in advisory input, mentoring, or advocacy - consistently high-quality partnership and strong student feedback. --- ### Demonstrated Skills Gold-level employers demonstrate: - talent pipeline development and early career leadership - strategic collaboration and thought partnership - high-impact mentorship and developmental practice - ethical, inclusive employment practices that enhance access - sector-leading engagement with higher education.
This badge is also aligned with the University of Stirling's strategic priorities: - Graduate Employability - Industry Partnerships - Student Success & Retention --- ### Verification and Renewal Gold activity is reviewed annually by the Employer Placement & Internship Partnership Validation Panel to confirm: - partnership longevity - consistency of strategic contributions - added value for students - alignment with Gold-level standards. Badges may be renewed, downgraded, or re-evaluated if criteria are no longer met.
Assessment includes review of multi-year partnership evidence, depth and quality of engagement activities, paid talent pipelines (where provided), strategic contributions (e.g., advisory boards, senior leadership involvement, keynote activity) and cocreated outputs such as dual POV videos, campaigns, publications or industry reports. The Employer Placement & Internship Partnership Validation Panel evaluates longitudinal engagement, quality, student progression, and satisfaction indicators. Additional information may be requested before renewal where expectations are not met.
Placement and Internship Provider: Silver Level
The Silver Badge recognises employers who go beyond basic placement provision to actively enhance student professional development and contribute meaningfully to the wider University of Stirling community. Silver partners demonstrate sustained engagement, provide enriched learning and networking opportunities and offer valuable insight that strengthens students’ transition into the workforce. This level reflects consistent partnership, developmental practice, and holistic support for student success.
Be Confident: expanding student networks and industry connections | Be Innovative: supporting applied learning and real-world skill development | Be Connected: enabling stronger access to professional communities
### Silver: Meaningful Engagement and Insight – Mid-level contribution, practical insight and real exposure To achieve the Silver Placement & Internship Partnership Badge, organisations must meet _all Bronze criteria plus one_ of the following: 1. demonstrate a minimum of three years of recurring engagement, or 2. host 2–3 students annually (placements, internships, or project-based opportunities). ### Enhancement Criteria Recipients can also demonstrate _any two:_ > ### 1. Contribute a Practical Resource > Short guide, role profile, job description, internship contract, project proposal or employability checklist. > > ### 2. Participate in ONE Programme-Level Engagement Activity > > Guest speaker slot, virtual Q&A, “Ask Me Anything,” or networking session > > ### 3. Contribute to the ‘Day in the Life’ Employer Blog > > Written format Activities can be brief, flexible and tailored to employer capacity. --- ### Employer Outcomes Silver partners evidence: - sustained commitment to student professional development - advocacy for high-quality placement and internship experiences - strategic collaboration with the University - curriculum enrichment through authentic employer insight - contribution to a broader ecosystem of employer-led learning. ### Demonstrated Skills This badge recognises employers who demonstrate: - leadership in early talent development - collaborative and co-creative practice - career mentorship and student advocacy - strategic engagement with learning communities.
Work Based Learning (WBL) Quality Principles
This badge is also aligned with the **WBL Quality Principles**: - Applied Learning: connecting academic learning with real workplace expectations - Professional Exposure: strengthening access to labour market insight and networks - Developmental Support: providing guidance that builds confidence and career readiness - Meaningful Employer Interaction: deepening engagement to enhance placement quality --- ### Verification and Renewal All evidence is reviewed annually by the Employer Placement & Internship Partnership Validation Panel to confirm continued alignment with Silver standards. Badges may be renewed, upgraded, downgraded, or reclassified depending on review outcomes and student experience.
Assessment includes review of multi-year engagement or recurring placement provision and contributions to university activity (events, insights, blog posts, case studies). The Employer Placement & Internship Partnership Validation Panel evaluates the quality and relevance of submitted evidence, alongside student feedback regarding developmental value and support. Additional review or follow-up may be required where issues are identified.
The Versatile Communicator Copy badge image