Connecting Higher Education to the Labour Market: The Experience of Service Learning in a Portuguese University

The mission of higher education institutions (HEI) includes fostering conditions that enable student participation, and a commitment to their professional success. Pedagogical strategies which combine learning goes beyond the university involves service-learning (SL) course carried out in context pedagogical innovation programme University Porto were examined. This examination included interviews with teachers, focus group discussion students analysis logbooks final reports realize potential SL for improving employability. results put into perspective weaknesses potentialities courses at HEI show when academic is integrated community experience, gain both personal/social skills. They also develop leadership communication skills critical awareness on one hand time resources management ability adapt respond challenges real world other, all seen as beneficial transition labour market.