Higher Level Skills in the Workplace The Government is in a period of consultation around the development of higher level skills in the workplace. The Leitch Report (Prosperity for all in the global economy – World class skills, 2006) identified a target of 40% of the population to be qualified to level 4 or above – currently this stands at 31%. While the supply of graduates is rising, the employer demand also continues to grow. This demand, in part, is driven by the need to increase the capacity for innovation and enterprise in the workplace. This will not be satisfied simply by increasing the number of school leavers going into full-time higher education. To be competitive, higher level skills development needs to happen also in the workplace, throughout an employee’s working life. Employers must play an active part in leading the demand and development of training for higher level skills development. Foundation degrees (Fd) are an excellent example of employer-led higher level skills development in practice. Fds are designed to provide the employer with improved employee performance and contribution to the business, as well as improved employee retention. For example, a Foundation degree in Retail Management has recently been created and piloted. Developed in partnership with Tesco, the University of the Arts London and Manchester Metropolitan University, 40 students have completed their first year. The programme has received widespread acclaim and is now being made available to other major employers in the retail sector. Similar developments to the retail Fd are taking place across a range of other sectors such as information communication technology and travel and tourism. Such initiatives have been led by fdf (Foundation Degree Forward) which is funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England. For further information about Foundation degrees and how fdf can support employers in the development of higher level skills in the workplace please go to www.fdf.ac.uk or call 01543 301150. Professor Derek Longhurst Chief Executive fdf

Foundation Degree Forward

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While the supply of graduates is rising, the employer demand also continues to grow. This demand, in part, is driven by the need to increase the capacity for innovation and enterprise in the workplace. This will not be satisfied simply by increasing the number of school leavers going into full-time higher education.

To be competitive, higher level skills development needs to happen also in the workplace, throughout an employee’s working life. Employers must play an

active part in leading the demand and development of training for higher level skills development.

Foundation degrees (Fd) are an excellent example of employer-led higher level skills development in practice. Fds are designed to provide the employer with improved employee performance and contribution to the business, as well as improved employee retention.

For example, a Foundation degree in Retail Management has recently been created and piloted. Developed in partnership with Tesco, the University of the Arts London and Manchester Metropolitan University, 40 students have completed their first year. The programme has received widespread acclaim and is now being made available to other major employers in the retail sector.

Similar developments to the retail Fd are taking place across a range of other sectors such as information communication technology and travel and tourism. Such initiatives have been led by fdf (Foundation Degree Forward) which is funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

For further information about Foundation degrees and how fdf can support employers in the development of higher level skills in the workplace please go to www.fdf.ac.uk or call 01543 301150.

Professor Derek LonghurstChief Executivefdf

CMY

J1050 fdf PM Advertorial.pdf 19/8/08 09:58:50