Interview skills workshops Ongoing SWC catchment area HR Team Continued requests for College staff (HR) to participate in mock interviews sessions with students in College campuses and in schools in College’s catchment area prior to them making their application to Universities, Colleges and places of employment Heightened awareness of College’s robust recruitment policy and procedures and its commitment to equality of opportunity A letter was circulated(October 2015)) to a number of schools in the College’s catchment area inviting requests for participation of members of College’s HR team in interview skills days. During the academic year requests were fulfilled in schools in all 5 towns in the College’s catchment area. Continued engagement with schools at Key Stage 3 level through the Business Engagement Partnership Ongoing STEM Centre ( Dungannon campus) l STEM Centre Coordinator Number of schools engaging in the Partnership programme and subsequently developing links with the SWC Heightened awareness of the College’s STEM programme in the wider community and increased engagement and stronger relationships with schools as the College continues to promote its educational initiatives Whilst BEP has now ceased to fund local post primary schools in respect of this measure, there remains a good level of contact with primary and post primary schools, both locally and further afield. Engagement with community groups (e.g. Omagh Ethnic Communities Support Group and Community Cohesion Unit ) Ongoing SWC catchment area Equality Officer ESOL Graduate Elite Intern for Health and WellBeing Engagement with a range of organisations in College catchment area, including community groups, support groups and public sector agencies Heightened awareness of the College’s outreach to the community in terms of educational provision and services Equality Officer continues to represent the College on Management Committee of Omagh Ethnic Communities Support Group and Community Cohesion Unit. This group has now extended its services into the Fermanagh area where the College has links with the Women of the World organisation. The College’s new Employee Supported Volunteer
Policy will encourage further engagement with local community groups. Student Internship Programme Ongoing College wide HR Team Number of applicants for wide range of placement/internships in the organisation drawing on young people from a wide variety of backgrounds Increased engagement with the of education locally, province wide and further afield, thus promoting a positive image of the College’s ethos in the wider community Nine interns have been appointed and will attend induction in June 16. It is anticipated that three graduate elite interns will also be appointed . Engagement with Looked Children. Ongoing SWC catchment area Student Services Manager of engagement with and on behalf of young people who are currently in the Care system or who are about to leave it. Increased awareness of the College’s commitment towards social inclusion in of educational provision, support and pastoral care. A number of students who are in care are supported by West College. This measure is a standing item on the agenda of the monthly meetings of the College’s Student Services Team.
Awareness raising on the promotion of a good and harmonious working and learning environment for all and students On-going College wide Equality officer and team of students with disabilities from Enniskillen and Campuses Increased demand for delivery of good relations sessions and Equality workshops College wide aiming to further embed diversity into ethos of the College in line with DEL recommendation Heightened awareness of the significance of maintaining good and harmonious working and learning environment as a means whereby the College can be positively promoted within the wider community College’s Good Relations team and Equality Officer have delivered training sessions to approximately 950 mainstream students between Sep 15 and May16. In addition 530 1st year trainees received training from an external agency (Sept15) and also 100 class reps (Nov 15 and Mar16). During Progress reporting period 150 members of staff attended training in aspects of Equality. New online module on Equality and Diversity now developed and launched in April 2016.