Accessibility Tools
Sign in
Click to Search Click to Search
Student-led campaign

The Employability Bridge

Empowering students through short courses that strengthen employability skills, improve mental wellbeing, and build lasting career confidence.
68%
of students say they feel unprepared for the competitive UK job market
Source: Qualtrics, 2023, via FE News
Have your say
Tell us which skills and short courses would help you most. Our Student Employability Survey is now open.
“Taking these short courses helps students build their CV and stand out to employers with confidence.”
— Al-Anoud Zaafoor, Student Activist

The issue

Many university students are unemployed or lack employability skills, which leaves them with few talking points in networking situations and job interviews.
Some students also experience “summer emptiness”: a lack of activities and social contact during academic breaks. This can affect mental health, leading to loneliness, low self-esteem, feelings of underachievement and negative coping cycles.
Students need practical skills to improve their career prospects, and social engagement to protect their wellbeing during long breaks. Short courses help students build self-esteem, gain recognised certificates alongside their degree, and develop the confidence and talking points they need for interviews and networking.

What we want

Create short courses for LJMU undergraduates to complete during term breaks, with a certificate of completion alongside their degree
Equip students with practical employability skills and talking points to boost their confidence in interviews and networking
Support student mental health during breaks by reducing summer loneliness and offering purposeful learning

Who's behind it

Al-Anoud Zaafoor

Al-Anoud Zaafoor

Student Activist
School of Psychology
BSc (Hons) Psychology, Level 5
“Some students feel they're underachieving at networking events, and job interviews are stressful without talking points. Academic breaks without a job can lead to loneliness and anxiety. Short courses help students build their CV, stand out to employers with confidence, and stay motivated and mentally engaged during breaks.”
Email Al-Anoud

Progress so far

Last updated: November 2026
  1. September 2026
    Campaign launched
    Al-Anoud launched The Employability Bridge to bring short courses to LJMU undergraduates.
  2. Now
    Hearing from students
    Finding out which skills and short courses students want through the Student Employability Survey.
  3. Next · Expected
    Shape the short courses
    Work with LJMU to create short courses for undergraduates to complete during term breaks.
  4. Then · Expected
    Skills, certificates and support
    Students gain practical skills, interview talking points and a certificate alongside their degree, with purposeful learning that reduces summer loneliness.

Want to get involved?

Have ideas for a short course, or want to help shape what's on offer during the breaks? Al-Anoud would love to hear from you.

This campaign is led by a JMSU Student Activist, with support from the Student Voice team.