Employability e transizione al lavoro: metodi e strumenti di ricerca qualitativa per la definizione di dispositivi di supporto al placement

In the ongoing downturn the role of higher education is much more important than in the past and higher education is required to enhance students’ employability. It responds to policy goals related to the development of the country’s human capital and to students’ motivations in entering higher education. The article focuses on how university job placement services can help students to enhance their employability and their sustainable employability (this latter one being much more important in a long-term career development perspective). One way to enhance the institution’s contribution to university students’ employability is to strengthen and better structure job placement services directly within curriculum of degree courses. The contribute presents a reflection about the factors considered predictive of placement (with a particular focus on soft skills and employers’ perspective), that is possible to strengthen through consistent and proper devices, with specific reference to guidance/vocational talk during the first and second phase of transition to work. On the base of literature and best practices, the contribution wish define an experimental protocol, with attention to applicability and sustainability into Italian university system and in line with quality assurance in Bologna Process. Target are graduates of master’s degree courses in pedagogy and adult education