Barry James Bell

Developing generic skills at university, during work placement and in employment: graduates' perceptions

This paper presents findings from Stage 4 of the Griffith Graduate Project. Graduates from three Schools within Griffith University were surveyed to determine their perceptions of the contributions that the learning contexts of university, work placement and post‐graduation employment made to the development of their generic skills. All graduates involved in the project had experienced work placement as a formal part of their undergraduate studies. Supplementary data from focus group discussions held with employers and graduates are also included. Findings showed that while graduates recognized the contribution university had made to their generic skills development, they greatly valued the experience of learning in the workplace during placement and subsequently in employment. The importance of teamwork, being given responsibility, and collaborative learning emerged as the most important factors for effective learning in the three contexts under consideration.

Educating Australian leisure graduates: Contexts for developing generic skills

Abstract Leisure studies graduates seek employment in a highly competitive marketplace. In addition to their degree qualification, graduates need a core of generic skills and attributes that are sought by employers in particular industry sectors. As part of a larger study, graduates from Griffith University’s leisure management degree were surveyed to explore their perceptions of how their generic skills had been developed in three different learning contexts: at university, through work placements, and in immediate post-graduation employment. It is concluded that all three contexts play an important and often complementary role in providing leisure management graduates with a package of skills that enable them to contribute effectively to the workplace and develop their careers. The study findings suggest that particular skills may be best developed in particular contexts and give strong support for work placements in preparing graduates for employment.

Service Quality, Customer Satisfaction and Behavioural Intentions of Australian Aquatic Centre Customers, 1999–2001

Abstract Improved service quality can help retain customers of leisure services and facilities and satisfied customers are more likely to recommend the service to other potential customers. Operators can use customer service quality and customer satisfaction data to assist in the continuous improvement of their operations. In particular, the collated data generated through research reported in this paper can be used for external benchmarking by operators of Australian aquatic centres. Data gathered from samples of Australian local government aquatic centre customers in 1999, 2000 and 2001 include customer use profiles and customer assessments of service quality, problem identification and resolution, satisfaction, and behavioural intentions. Service quality indicators highlight the priorities that different user groups place on such aspects of service as pool water cleanliness, staff responsiveness, value for money and instructors’ experience and knowledge. Other comparative data include overall satisfaction levels, problem reporting, problem resolution and customer advocacy. The paper contributes to the growing literature on service quality in a diversity of leisure service contexts.