National Employers
The Foundation for Public Service Interpreting (FPSI) was founded in 1997 to work with others to raise the standards of interpreting in the Public Service.
Interpreting is a profession and calls for particular skills and training. Interpreters often have to deal with life-threatening and critical situations. It is not a job for those who have learnt a bit of French at school.
By the nature of the profession the majority of interpreters are self-employed and many get themselves attached to an interpreting project. The Foundation has a team of experts who can provide:
- Advice on setting up and managing an interpreting project.
- Advice on current qualifications available.
- Advice on training staff to use interpreters.
- Advice on the most used languages in a local setting.
- Advice on the best use of telephone interpreting.
- Advice on Emergency Planning provision.
One of our Local Committees – AIESEC UCL/SOAS - got in touch with the FPSI in 2009 and began building the relationship. In 2010, three interns were hired to work in London. The relationship between AIESEC and the FPSI is set to grow over the coming years, and they hope to hire several more interns as budgets allow.