Foundation degrees: providing higher education qualifications to improve employees' skills
Mango Direct Marketing Ltd | Foundation degrees
Building skills and expertise
Mango Direct Marketing Ltd has witnessed very tangible benefits from employing Foundation degree work placement students. It takes work placement students from the Foundation degree in computing which is delivered by South Eastern Regional College (SERC) and Ulster University.
The Foundation degree in computing aims to develop industry current skills to ensure that the future needs of the IT sector are fully met. This qualification provides students with the knowledge and practical experience in programming, networking, database design and development as well as other core skills required for employment within the computing industry.
Benefits of Foundation degree courses
Students are assessed using a range of different methods. These include examinations, coursework, project-based learning, presentations, practical assessments, posters, leaflets, role-play, and case studies. This is dependent on the requirements of each unit of study. Oral, written, and online feedback will be provided during the course to help improve and monitor performance.
The course also provides the opportunity to undertake a 12-week placement within the computing industry to assist in developing real-life experience and practical skills that employers want. Students learn transferable skills such as communication, organisational skills, problem-solving, and critical thinking which will help them to apply for relevant jobs within the computing industry. The programme is designed to facilitate a student's development of graduate qualities that are highly valued in the workplace.
As well as helping the students gain practical experience and apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired, there are many potential benefits for the businesses that host the students on their extended work placements.
Mango Direct Marketing Ltd has found that the partnership between the company and SERC has maximised the benefits of the placements. As Mark Weir of the company explains, “For several years Mango Direct Marketing Ltd has provided SERC students with the opportunity to gain experience in the IT industry to support their 12-week placements. The staff within the School of Computing and Engineering have been instrumental in the coordination of these placements, as well as supporting and forging the relationship between Mango and SERC in other areas such as training, career development, and recruitment.”
Quality of Foundation degree course and students
Mango Direct Marketing Ltd has testified to the high quality of the Foundation degree computing course. As Mark explains, “The modules within the Foundation degree in computing are perfectly suited to today’s tech environment, so much so that students can be given tasks in application and MSSQL development, as well as infrastructure amends and server updates shortly after placement begins.”
Whilst the students gain practical work experience from the placements, the company also benefits.
Mark continues, “Both the systems and development strand students have been excellent in the knowledge they have brought with them from their studies, coupled with an eagerness to learn, that has benefited Mango and the students themselves.”
Progression
Successful completion of the Foundation degree course can lead to either a career in the computing industry or to related degree programmes.
Mango Direct Marketing Ltd testifies to how the Foundation degree placements have helped them with future recruitment.
Mark explains: “With recruitment in the past for IT positions proving erroneous Mango has always availed of a constant flow of excellent students on placement, as well as a longer-term view to a permanent opportunity if roles become available.”