A UNIVERSITY lecturer has been rewarded for his contribution towards making students more employable.

Dr Will Matthews is the first winner of the new staff Employability Champion award.

Dr Matthews, from the psychology department, was selected having launched a detailed careers pack to final year students, to provide information on former students to show what previous graduates have gone on to achieve in their professional lives.

He also helped to organise careers panel events.

“It is obviously very nice to receive recognition for the work I've put in, although the people at the Employability and Careers Centre deserve most of the credit for their constant help and support,” said Dr Matthews.

“I think it's great that the university is prioritising employability, and that so many people across all faculties are working to improve the prospects of our students.”

Charlie Wheeldon, student employability and enterprise manager, said the emphasis put on employability is “crucial”.