a b s t r a c tThe view that university graduates should be equipped with work-readiness skills has become increasingly normalised in university graduate capabilities designs. The framework of this study is established around an Australian university's graduate capabilities. This exploratory case study aims to contribute to a graduate-centred understanding of work-readiness. A qualitative methodology was used to map students' perceptions and evaluations of their skill development in criteria referenced graduate capabilities and construct a representation of skill development in graduate capabilities from entry to exit. The more problematic areas of skill development and competence in graduate capabilities were in the higher order skills of inquiry/research, creativity and problem solving and collaborative teamwork. Student respondents appeared to have most difficulty in relating the relevance of inquiry/research to work contexts. This study illustrates the need for university educators and curriculum designers to proactively intervene and develop effective learning activities for individual learners and to regularly monitor and review progression towards desired employability skills from entry to exit. Graduates risk criticism from employers if they leave university with underdeveloped skills on exit from university and for the purpose of transference to employability skills.

No abstract

Understanding contemporary youth lifestyles is a challenge for urban planners and geographers. Young people's everyday needs are complex, and urban spaces in new outer city developments offer unique spaces for shaping their identities. Juxtaposed with affordances of digital technologies, the physical location of home exists in a fluid landscape. Overcoming obstacles, such as access to public transport, places to socialise, and meet their peers, is characteristic of the everyday young person's experience. Knowing how young people decide where to go for personal space, as well as who to ask for personal advice, was the aim of this study. The study was conducted with samples of young people growing up in the rapidly growing peri‐urban northern suburbs of the Australian city of Melbourne. A survey questionnaire was administered to a gender‐balanced sample aged 12–15 years (n = 523) with follow‐up interviews to better inform the results. Logistic regression and factorial analyses of variance reveal their favourite places to be ‘my’ bedroom, being with friends, the park, and the café. Although not the focus of this study, some gender differences were noted. In addition to innovative use of space, the results show the positive influences on their well‐being of trusted family and friends. Young people's geographies offer transdisciplinary insights that highlight their creative usage of these new urban spaces. They offer a new imaginary for geographical education and research.

No abstract

No abstract