Career readiness is a central pillar of learner success. Beyond academic achievement, students must be equipped with the skills, mindset, and practical experiences to thrive in an increasingly competitive and dynamic global workforce. To enhance employability outcomes and better support labour market demands, COL has initiated a new Employability Development and Graduate Excellence (EDGE) project at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus in Jamaica.  

A strategic collaboration between COL’s Virtual University for the Small States of the Commonwealth (VUSSC) and Higher Education Initiative, the EDGE project builds on lessons learned from diverse Commonwealth contexts, spanning large and small states, to bolster resilience within graduate employability systems.  

The initiative is informed by COL’s Employability Framework, ongoing employability initiatives in India and Africa, and previous support provided to UWI Mona to undertake a comprehensive status review of its graduate employability processes. The status review, conducted earlier with inputs from UWI’s key stakeholders, including learners, alumni, and representatives from skills and industry, resulted in the development of a comprehensive institutional Graduate Employability Framework to leverage institutional strengths and address identified gaps.  

To consolidate progress, an in-person session held at the Mona campus this February gave stakeholders the opportunity to reflect on the findings of the employability readiness review and draft the Graduate Employability Framework. Attended by university leadership, academic staff and learners, the session included a targeted capacity-building component focused on embedding employability attributes into curricula and developing micro-credentials aligned with emerging skills demands.  

Professor Marvin Reid, Acting Deputy Principal, represented UWI’s Principal, Professor Densil Williams, and outlined UWI’s ongoing transformation agenda and the establishment of the Office of Innovation, Research, and Partnerships. He also noted the strategic importance of UWI’s collaboration with COL in advancing student success 

Mr Jason McKenzie, Director, Student Services and Development at UWI, further highlighted the institution’s commitment to producing graduates with the “EDGE” to excel in the world of work through strong and purposeful partnerships. 

During the session, additional insights were gathered to refine the institutional status review, and the draft Graduate Employability Framework was validated. Participants also reported enhanced capacity in designing micro-credentials and developing course rubrics that intentionally integrate employability attributes. 

The EDGE project directly supports The Gaborone Statement’s calls for positive disruption in postsecondary education and skills for productive and resilient lives. COL looks forward to continuing its work with global partners, including UWI, Mona Campus, to enhance graduate employability, advance micro-credential buy-in, and ultimately foster more resilient societies for sustainable economic development.