FOSEC
FOSEC (Foyle School and Employer Connections) is a broker organisation that was established in 1999 to develop, maintain and strengthen links between the world of education and the world of work. Both business and education sectors agree that an independent broker organisation is essential to help build the links between the two. We aim to help students prepare to enter the world of work by connecting them with people from the business community while they are still at school. In this way, they are better prepared for what lies ahead of them when they leave education and can begin to develop "work ready skills".
Our programmes offer local employers the chance to 'give something back' and have a direct influence on the young people who are their potential employees of the future. By participating in FOSEC's programmes, employers can impress upon young people the skills, attitudes and values they are seeking in employees and can positively influence 'work readiness skills' for the benefit of individuals, organisations and the local economy.
FOSEC run several quality programmes, all of which make the relationship between student and employer more effective, efficient and mutually beneficial.
Work Experience Programme
FOSEC currently brokers 1200 work experience placements each year. The Senior Programme Manager, Owen Crozier, liaises between schools and employers to provide quality and structured work experience placements which benefit both. Owen prepares both parties for the placement and oversees the evaluation of the programme.
Adopt-a-Class Programme
The Adopt-a-Class Programme, managed by Vivienne Kerr, matches classes in schools with employers so students can learn about the world of business and employment from those who are experiencing it on a daily basis. Each Adoption is unique and is focused on what the class needs and what the company can offer. Companies who adopt a class give the students an insight into the "real" world. They act as role models for students and can help inspire young people to make informed career choices.
Jobs for Me
This is an online careers guidance tool that allows students to read profiles of local employers and employees. This gives young people an insight into what the world of work is all about from the individuals actually doing the job. The information then helps students make realistic choices about the kind of career they want and how to go about getting it. This is found at www.fosec.org
FOSEC also ran a very successful programme of work experience placements for teachers entitled "Teacher Insight into Industry". We hope to run a variation of this programme again in the future in response to demand from teachers, if funding can be secured to provide substitute teachers.
Since the organisation was established, we have expanded our range of programmes and increased our portfolio five fold. The small team of 5 members of staff are extremely committed to making the most of the resources open to us and finding best practice models to ensure we are always achieving our potential.
Our office is in Derry city centre and we currently provide our services to students from the Derry City Council area in the main, but also to students from Strabane, Limavady, Omagh and Fermanagh. At present, we provide a limited
service to students from Co. Donegal and aim to increase this with the support of additional funding from the appropriate bodies.
FOSEC's primary funder, the Department of Education for Northern Ireland, has recently commissioned two evaluations of the company's programmes, both of which concluded that FOSEC's programmes are of a very high quality, invaluable to students, teachers and the future of the local economy, and that we should continue to do exactly what we are doing, only to do more of it! This is the aim for the future. We want to be able to meet the increasing demands we have from the education sector by developing the range and depth of the relationships we have with the business sector. We want to continue to assist the business sector in making it as easy as possible for them to link with schools and students. We are the best placed organisation in the North West to do this.
FOSEC rely on the co-operation of members of the business community to meet the needs of the education sector and we are constantly seeking new employers to join the 650+ who are already helping us to help students. We welcome all organisations, regardless of sector, size or how big or small a contribution they can make. We accept all forms of help, including working with students through one of our programmes, sponsoring an event or making a donation or in-kind contribution to FOSEC.
We are indebted to all our partner schools and businesses for our success and would like to invite anyone who wishes to become involved in our award-winning initiatives to contact the Director, Máire Gallagher, at maire@fosec.org or 71364656.
