Foundation Degrees to be Promoted at Most important meal of the Day

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The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is to promote Foundation Degrees at a series of breakfast seminars.

The seminars, in conjunction with the Department for Education and Skills (DFES) and Foundation Degree Forward (FDF), will highlight the benefits of Foundation Degrees throughout the UK. The seminars will be aimed at local businesses and will afford them the opportunity to meet either Bill Rammell MP, Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education at the DfES, or Phil Hope MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Skills.

Proud of Initiative

David Frost, CEO of the BCC, said: “We are extremely pleased to be promoting Foundation Degrees to the local business community and feel employers have been given a fantastic opportunity to meet such a high profile Education Minister. We feel assured the event will be a success and will encourage employers to take steps towards meeting their skills needs.”

The seminars are a unique opportunity for employers to hear first hand about the benefits of Foundation Degrees. They will also have the chance to discuss one-on-one with the Ministers the ways in which Foundation Degrees will benefit their business. Bill Rammell said: “I”m looking forward to hosting a series of breakfasts with employers across the country. Through direct discussion with employers we will understand better the skills needs individual to the region and will have the opportunity to explain some of the training options already available to tackle existing problems”¦”

Made In the Workplace, For the Workplace

Introduced in 2001, Foundation Degrees are a means of widening participation in higher education and increasing economic competitiveness. They are a form of vocational qualification which combines academic study with work-based learning. They aim to give people the intermediate technical and professional skills that are in demand from employers.

The degrees are designed with employers to ensure that the skills delivered are a real asset to the business. The flexible delivery of the degrees enable employers to “up-skill” their workforce without disrupting their daily business activities. Studied full-time, Foundation Degrees take two years to complete, however around half of all students are studying par time.

According to the Government, there should be at least 70,000 full and part time students studying Foundation Degrees in two years” time, an increase of 12,400 on the number of students on courses last year. Bill Rammell says: “¦Since their introduction in 2001, Foundation Degrees have been warmly welcomed by employers and students alike. It is our aim that these breakfast events will help the continuing development of Foundation Degrees, and, in turn, the regional economy.”

Joel Goldman

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