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F.R.E.D.I.E

The Sheffield College works with the National Centre for Diversity (NCD) to promote F.R.E.D.I.E which stands for the following:

  • Fairness

  • Respect

  • Equality

  • Diversity

  • Inclusion

  • Engagement

What is it and why do we promote it?

It is a voluntary scheme whereby organisations and businesses can work with the National Centre for Diversity to become accredited in the Investors in Diversity Award.

We make regular improvements and changes to our business practices, workplace culture, staff training and our engagement and marketing with students with the goal of promoting the F.R.E.D.I.E themes, particularly Diversity. Examples of how we do this are:

  • Giving our staff additional training on Equality & Diversity, and being aware of unconscious bias

  • Improving our Equality policies and procedures so that all students feel welcome and engaged at College irrespective of their protected characteristics

  • Using our marketing materials and student engagement techniques to encourage students to welcome and promote diversity so that they can feel free to participate in any course, not letting their personal characteristics be an obstacle to their desires

    • For example, we want to let students know that it's okay if a female wants to go on a Motor Vehicle Repair course, or a male wants to go on a Beauty course, we want students to feel like they can participate in a classroom without feeling discriminated against or out of place because they may not be in the same demographic as most other students in the class

  • Through our teaching, marketing materials and disciplinary procedures, we want all students to feel safe at College, we don't want them to experience bullying because of their protected characteristics, or sexual harassment.

  • Among our staff, we also want to encourage diversity so as to open new market sectors and attract diverse talent, because the quality of our staff affects the quality of teaching for our students.

As we improve and evolve our organisational ethics and culture, the National Centre for Diversity will audit what we do, suggest feedback and give us continuous support to improve our practice.

What is The Sheffield College hoping to achieve?

Once we can establish a minimum level of quality in how we promote diversity and the other F.R.E.D.I.E principles, the National Centre for Diversity will accredit us with the Investors in Diversity Award. Rather like how you as a student will need a certificate at the end of your course to demonstrate your competency and capabilities to employers, the Award will enable The Sheffield College to publicly demonstrate with the award that we have a minimum standard of practice that has been externally verified, so that our staff and students recognise that we promote the F.R.E.D.I.E principles as an organisation.

What to find out more?

The National Centre for Diversity website explains what happens as part of diversity accreditation, If you would be interested in pursuing additional diversity training in your organisation, they offer training courses that you can participate in.