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Universities engage with employers to deliver web-enabled workplace degrees in support of government targets

In line with government targets for degrees developed with employers, Birmingham City University and Staffordshire University are partnering with businesses to offer innovative, web-enabled undergraduate and post graduate degrees directly in the work place. Based on individual learning ‘on the job', employers across the country can offer a complete career development package, enabling staff to get a degree building on their day-to-day business and longer-term ambitions.  

Both universities are working with The Working Manager Limited  to accredit existing management programmes already used by over fifty UK organisations and to deliver new programmes through the TWM academy platform.

Managers at Munters Ltd, a Times Top 100 employer, and Lorne Stewart plc will be among the first to benefit from Foundation Degrees in Leadership and Management. Mike Waterfield of Munters says “Most of our senior managers have not had the opportunity to obtain higher education qualifications.  The TWM foundation means we can offer work-based learning via our in-house academy leading to a nationally recognised qualification. Our managers will not only gain a strong academic understanding of leadership and business management principles but will also learn how to apply them, to our business advantage, in their place of work. The real gain will be in the personal growth and motivation of the individual manager.”

Lorne Stewart's Ken Hersey confirmed, “The crucial ingredient is the rooting in day-to-day business activity, with the degree awarded on criteria based principally on actual work-based projects. Too much emphasis on academic learning outside the workplace, while intellectually stimulating, can create aspirations beyond the job and the career in hand. This leads to lack of motivation and the loss of managers out of the business. The new degree will provide a foundation for our managers' growth within the business rather than encouraging them out of the business!”  

“This is a real step forward in our on-going engagement with employers to deliver business improvement through knowledge and skills developments in the workplace” says Professor Mary Carswell, Pro Vice Chancellor of Birmingham City University. Gill Howland, Executive Pro Vice-Chancellor at Staffordshire University adds, “The bringing together of our expertise in leadership and management with the flexible web-based platform is already creating significant interest with employers - both large and small.”

The new degrees are fully consistent with the government's employment-based training accreditation, aimed at aligning in-company training with academic standards.

Notes for editors

• There will be a launch event from 4.30 pm on 8th July at Hotel du Vin in Birmingham. Invited speakers and guests include:
  • Ian Pearson MP, Minister of State for Science and Innovation, DIUS
  • Derek Longhurst, Chief Executive, Foundation Degree Forward (fdf)
  • Professor Mary Carswell, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Birmingham City University
  • Cathy Gilbert, Director of Sales & Student Recruitment, Staffordshire University
  • Mike Waterfield, Munters Plc
  • Ken Hersey, Lorne Stewart Plc.
  • Those journalists or editors wishing to attend should contact Mary-Lou Nash: mary-lou@mlnassociates.co.uk  01442 865920 for a press pass.

• A podcast of the speeches from the event will be available immediately after 8th July. Contact: Sarah Archer, 0121 331 6738, 07967 271532, sarah.archer@bcu.ac.uk. The podcast and photographs from the launch event will also be available on The Working Manager website after 8th July.
  

• A Foundation Degree is a an undergraduate qualification equivalent to the second year of a three year Honours Degree (BA, BSc).  Key components are employer involvement and the development of skills and knowledge that can be applied in the workplace. Foundation Degree Forward is a national body that supports the development and validation of high quality Foundation degrees.

• The Working Manager Ltd is a web-enabled provider of management education for the working manager. TWM designs and implements branded online academies in support of an organisation's business strategies and values. The academies connect over 5,000 pages of learning material with an organisation's learning initiatives. The focus of academy content is management and leadership and it is aimed at broad middle to senior management groups. Contact before 8th July: Mary-Lou Nash, mary-lou@mlnassociates.co.uk 01442 865920.
  
  

• Useful Links:
  • Munters Ltd
  • Lorne Stewart
    
    
    

  Birmingham City University's mission is to provide an educational experience of the highest quality with a strong commitment to employability and to flexible and practice-based learning. From seven faculties and seven campuses, they deliver over 300 courses to more than 24,000 students. In pursuing the aim of providing an inclusive education, they work with organisations in the private and public sectors to design and deliver tailored programmes which meet the needs of the organisation through the development of their staff. Contact Richard Riley, TWM Fellow at Birmingham City University on 0121 331 5297 or email richard.riley@bcu.ac.uk
  
  

  Staffordshire University: As part of its commitment to up-skill the region's workforce Staffordshire University has been awarded £3.5million under a Government pilot scheme. The Employer Engagement Pilot Project aims to deliver bespoke solutions to a range of business challenges. Staffordshire University has a strong track record in working with employers including the RAF, Staffordshire Police, the NHS and Alton Towers. By engaging with business they aim to give 1,000 new learners access to the pilot scheme. Contact Catherine Gilbert, Director of Sales & Student Recruitment at Staffordshire University on 01785 353477.

• For further information please contact Birmingham City University Media Relations Office on 0121 331 6738, email press@bcu.ac.uk or out of hours on 07967 271 532.

  About Birmingham City University.