Reconceptualising and supporting graduate employability practitioners for higher degree research candidates

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Research supervisors and their higher degree research (HDR) candidates – including Master, Professional Doctorate, and PhD candidates – make critical contributions to research and innovation. In addition to providing research training, research supervisors have traditionally also acted as the graduate employability practitioner for their HDR candidates through preparation for work in academia. However, the effectivness of traditional HDR training models (such as the knowledge transmission, master-apprentice model for PhD training) are being reviewed in Australia and elsewhere due to changes in the contemporary employment environment. These changes include: fewer available academic jobs; increased desire of HDR candidates for non-academic careers; and implementation of government policies aimed at increasing the return on research investment, including by increasing alignment of graduate attributes with contemporary employer needs. Consequently, work-integrated learning (WIL) activities are being incorporated into HDR degrees to broaden HDR training beyond acquisition of research-focussed skills. For effective incorporation of WIL into HDR degrees, recognition is needed of the different types and roles of graduate employability practitioners required by HDR candidates, as well as improvements to training support structures, and evolved metrics for assessment of supervisor and HDR candidate success.