Preparing Students for the Global Job Market

Challenge

Giving students an edge in the highly competitive global marketplace

In today's highly competitive job market, where companies operate on a global level, English language skills can make the difference between getting a good job and getting no job at all.

Schools are beginning to recognize the importance of preparing students to meet the English language needs of employers. In countries where English is not the native language, schools are finding new ways to respond to the demands of the global marketplace.

Solution

In France, the Commission des Titres des Ingenieurs, the governing body that guides and assesses the quality of education in French engineering schools, recommends that students attain a TOEIC score of 750 before graduating. This TOEIC score provides recruiters with an objective certification of a student's level of English and assures them that the student can function at a specified level of English. Scientific and technical schools, such as EPF, like the TOEIC test because it reflects the type of English used in the work world and helps students land good jobs.

In Malaysia, Kolej Damansara Utama (KDU), a renowned college, is a firm supporter of the TOEIC test for its students. In times of economic hardship employers are more selective in who they recruit because the market becomes saturated with job applicants. KDU uses the TOEIC test to clearly demonstrate the English language competence of its students, making these students more attractive to potential employers who must decide whether an applicant meets the minimum language requirements for the job.

Result

By incorporating the TOEIC test into their curriculum, schools are able to better prepare their students to be competitive in the global job market. These students have an edge over others who may not have English language training or an internationally recognized certification of their language skills.

Using the TOEIC test also benefits employers because it saves them time, money and effort in their recruiting process and ensures that new hires will be able to participate effectively in a global environment.