Beyond Placements and Internships: Embedding Experiential Learning for Inclusive and Scalable Employability Development

In the context of expanding global participation in higher education, universities are rethinking how to provide all students with meaningful, work-related learning experiences that develop employability and transferable skills. Traditional placements and internships, while effective, are increasingly inaccessible to many learners and difficult to scale equitably. This roundtable contributes to the IMOBTS 2026 theme ‘Global Connections: Bridging Cultures and Learning Communities’ by exploring how embedded experiential learning, such as business simulations and live projects, can serve as inclusive, scalable, and contextually adaptable alternatives. Drawing on insights from [our institution’s] Employability and Skills Framework pilot, the discussion will invite participants to reflect on authenticity, reflection, and assessment in experiential learning design. Through collaborative dialogue, participants will co-create guiding principles for embedding and scaling employability-focused learning across diverse management education settings.