“Inclusive Learning through community – Four Drivers of employability”

Learning through community promotes students’ understanding of their education in a wider context, i.e., profession, community, and businesses. The presentation will explore one aspect i.e., professional bodies of the four main drivers of employability, namely, Professional statutory regulatory bodies (PSRB), Academics, Career advisers and Employers/Entrepreneurs. Enhancing employability is key to accounting and finance degrees, and there are many methods universities have tried to embed this into the curriculum, from personal development plans (PDP), authentic assessments, extracurricular activities, volunteering, workshops, and guest lectures. Placements are an ideal way of gaining employability skills, but not all students are guaranteed to secure one (Mistry, 2021). This study explored how the Chartered Institute of Management Accounting (CIMA) business game using case studies learning in a competitive environment provided an alternative approach to developing some of the key employability skills, e.g., team work, communication, planning, presentation, and time management. Working in teams, students evaluated the business performance of the organisation and considered the best alternative solutions. Findings reveal how effective and innovative learning through play can be.