The manager of
North West Regional College’s (NWRC) Careers Academy, Finneen Bradley, has been
officially awarded the title of ‘Careers Champion’ by Prospects Education
Resources.
Finneen, who has
worked at the Strand Road Campus in Derry~Londonderry for ten years, is the
first ever winner from Northern Ireland. On the way to success she collected
the contest’s highest ever tally of votes in its five year history picking up
an impressive 59% overall share in the public vote.
The Careers Academy manager who
was awarded the title following an interview and then voting process, said she
was overwhelmed and honoured to receive the award.
She added: “I am very
thankful for my nomination. The work my team and I undertake is changing and
enhancing lives in our college and our community on a daily basis.
“I am extremely fortunate to have an amazing team of staff
around me who all have the same, shared vision. It is a wonderful thing when a
career and passion come together.
“The Careers Academy within NWRC
provides a one-stop support service for students, an open door policy for
career planning and guidance interviews.
The Academy also delivers bespoke programmes and interactive workshops.
“In May last year I started
with 2 workshops and the Careers Academy now have 41. In June 2016 the Careers
Academy was awarded the Matrix quality accreditation and has continued to go
from strength to strength.
“My role is wide and
varied. I work with all ages and a
diverse nature of students. Career
Development within the Careers Academy takes a 3E approach that I developed - Employability,
Enterprise & Enrichment. My role is
multi-faceted, it includes preparing students for progression onto University
and progression into employment.
“In 2016 we had 867
applications on the UCAS system and 84.9% of our students received offers. The
first week students start at NWRC the seed of employability is planted at
induction.”
Karen Moore, Head
of Student Services at NWRC, who nominated Finneen for the award said: “Finneen is a careers machine. She is the most powerful,
dedicated organised woman I have had the privilege of working with. She eats
and breathes all things careers.
“Since the opening
of the innovative Careers Academy at NWRC , Finneen has helped transform the
lives of hundreds of students delivering dozens of interactive workshops.
“Her guidance and
leadership has led to the rapid development of this
newly established department to exceed expectations on every level, enriching
the lives of further and higher education students and apprentices.
“This has included the delivery
of the hugely successful 'Inspire' employability
programme which is aimed at encouraging people of all ages into employment, education and training.
“We are extremely proud of
Finneen and her success.”