Emily Kidd

If elected Co-President (Education & Employability), I would make employability embedded, accessible and realistic for every student, not just for those who can afford unpaid experience or follow a traditional career path.

Firstly, I would intergrate employability into the academic experience by ensuring stronger links between coursework and real world application through wider industry projects as well as live client briefs into wider programmes. This ensures that students not only leave with a degree but with confidence in how to use it.

Secondly, I would advocate for inclusive careers support, particularly for students with chronic conditions and disabilities. Employability should recognise that students have different needs and circumstances. I would work with Disability Inclusion and the Careers Team to promote clearer guidance on what support students are can access, as well as workplace rights and reasonable adjustments.

Thirdly, I want recognise diverse career paths. Not everyone is aiming for the same graduate job. I would launch a "Go Freelance" event to support entrepreneurship and self-employment, and increase awareness of Bright Red Triangle across wider courses to make enterprise feel achievable, not intimidating.

Finally, I would push for paid placement and internships wherever possible. Too many opportunities are inaccessible because they're unpaid or financially unrealistic. I would also work to simplify and better promte hardship funding, graduate visas and schemes, ensuring studenrs know what support there is and how to access it for future employment. Employability shouldn't feel like an extra burden. It should feel like a supported, achievable step towards your future.

If elected Co-President (Education & Employability), I would see Programme Reps as the foundation of meaningful academic change, having been one myself for two years. They are the closest link between students and staff decision-makers, and my role would be to amplify, support and empower their work, not replace it.

Firstly, I would create clearer, more transparent feedback pathways by implementing a closing-the-loop action with a "You Said, We Did" culture. Reps should always know where concerns raised have gone with their lecturers across schools, so that the impact is visible and timely.

Secondly, I'd bridge the gap between programme and academic reps and make sure they are working together in partnership for cross-school themes to enhance academia across all three campuses at rep forums.

Thirdly, I want to recognise programme reps as leaders. The skills they develop in communication, problem-solving, etc., are employability skills. I would work with ENSA for wider rep networking and to get better incentives and recognition for programme reps (one year as rep = bronze award, two years = silver award, etc.).

Fourth, I would strengthen programme rep training. That means more practical, scenario-based training at the start of the year, not just when something goes wrong. I would also push for mid-trimester feedback conversations as standard practice between reps and lecturers, so issues can be resolved and ensure students are getting the most out of their lectures.

Finally, I would remain approachable and accountable by opening communication channels with reps, providing regular updates on progress on Moodle, Teams, etc. Programme reps are partners in shaping the student experience, and I would work to ensure their voices are heard, respected and acted upon.