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What is a Foundation degree?
A Foundation degree is a vocational, higher education qualification which has been developed with the help of employers working in close collaboration with further and higher education colleges and universities.
They integrate academic and work based learning and are designed to increase the number of people qualified at the higher technician, associate professional level, where there are much reported current and future shortages.
Academic teaching accompanied by work based learning is a positive step forward for higher education. A Foundation degree addresses the gap which exists for those who do not necessarily have the opportunity to study higher level qualifications in the traditional, full-time manner." - Helen Chambers, Institute of Logistics and Transport
"Foundation degrees will potentially provide a much richer stream of relevant qualified individuals from which to recruit." - Bob Lewis, Senior Manager, Learning & Development, Cisco Systems
What makes this qualification distinctive?
The active involvement of employers and employer bodies, such as sector skills councils (formerly the national training organisations) and professional bodies, in their design, implementation and review.
Their complete flexibility. They can be studied, part-time, full-time and some through blended learning packages. They are on offer locally to help employees access higher qualifications alongside the working environment.
Foundation degrees are proving they can reduce the barriers to learning for a wide range of people.
Companies like BMW Group, BASF and Radisson Edwardian Hotels are developing their existing staff and are using the Foundation degree to integrate their work place learning as well as fitting it around the shift and working patterns of staff.
Foundation degrees are designed to tackle your skills shortages and to make sure you keep one step ahead of the competition.
What's in it for my business?
- Better staff retention - giving your employees a strong incentive to stay, after all, it's far simpler and more cost-effective to develop and hold on to the people you currently have than recruit new staff
- Better staff motivation and performance
- If you invest in your workers, they'll invest in you. And you'll reap the benefits of having committed, flexible and loyal staff
- Higher level knowledge that is tailored to your sector's needs
How can I support my employees?
- Integrate Foundation degrees into your business's existing professional development strategy. Now you can offer your employees a nationally recognised route that means they can continue their professional development after their Advanced National Apprenticeship or other level 3 qualification.
You may choose to support them financially or simply to give them time off to study. Whatever help you offer, your business can only benefit from their new skills. - Offer work placements. Your business could benefit from offering work experience placement opportunities to Foundation degree students. Work placements can be an effective way of finding people whose skills match your needs if you're looking to recruit.
- Tell us how we can help you. Getting involved in shaping the design, development and delivery of Foundation degrees gives you the opportunity to get involved in improving the future supply of skilled employees in the medium and long term. It's the best possible way of making sure Foundation degrees really deliver the goods and reflect the skills needed in your business sector.
For more information on Foundation degrees visit theFoundation degree Forward Website www.fdf.ac.uk
