The benefits of Foundation degree study for learners and employers

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The benefits of Foundation degree study for learners and employers Higher learning at work series www.higherlearningatwork.org

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HE qualifications, combining academic and workbased learning and they are specifically designed for people wishing to develop work-related skills.

Benefits for employed learners yy Learners gain a degree level qualification and higher level skills while working and earning.

yy With the workplace normally being the primary place of learning and flexible modes of study, including distance learning, there’s no need to take extensive amounts of study leave from work.

yy Learners gain relevant subject knowledge and an

understanding of theories linked to workplace practices.

yy Learners develop skills such as critical reasoning and evidence-based evaluation.

yy Learners develop a range of transferable skills such as group working, communication and team leadership skills.

yy Learners have an opportunity to share and discuss experiences and working practices, to learn from others and broaden horizons.

yy Learners get to work on real-world, problem-based projects to help resolve

employers’ problems and situations, meaning they can make a real difference.

yy Learners feel valued by their employers and therefore more committed and motivated.

yy On bespoke programmes learners have an opportunity to meet with people from different departments and break down inter-departmental barriers.

yy Foundation degree graduates are more likely to gain promotion and additional responsibilities at work.

yy Learners will benefit from personal development and changes such as

increased confidence and self esteem, learning to take initiative, interacting with new colleagues and friends and gaining a new dimension to life.

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“Work-based assignments completed for my Foundation degree are valued by my employer, and I have now been promoted.”

The benefits of foundation degree study for learners and employers

Foundation degrees are relatively new

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Benefits for learners looking to enter employment yy Learners will have the opportunity to gain real and relevant business skills

and experience that will enhance their employability and earning potential.

yy Learners will have the opportunity to gain a broad knowledge of a specific industry.

yy Foundation degrees support learners in accessing a particular profession or career path.

yy Learners develop practical knowledge and skills. yy Learners develop critical reasoning and reflective skills. yy Learners develop a range of transferable skills such as group working, communication and team leadership skills.

yy Learners have the opportunity to gain employer contacts that will be useful when seeking employment.

yy Learners develop greater confidence and self esteem.

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The benefits of foundation degree study for learners and employers

“The part-time route is particularly useful for those already working in a relevant job and wanting to progress further.�

Benefits for employers Employees will:

yy study primarily in the workplace and via flexible modes of study, meaning they will not spend significant amounts of time away from work

yy gain a broader understanding of the job and the industry yy undertake live, problem-based projects aimed at resolving

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real-world business issues and situations that employers are presented with, impacting on business performance

yy gain higher level skills that employers need to enable them to compete yy perform better in their job yy bring current and relevant knowledge to the company and share techniques yy have increased motivation and commitment to the company or organisation yy have increased confidence in applying skills and knowledge yy cascade the knowledge acquired from the Foundation degree to other colleagues

yy be willing to take on tasks they would not have tackled before yy have better communication, team working and problem solving skills yy become lifelong learners and embrace wider aspects of the business.

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This document was originally produced by fdf – innovating workforce development.

Photography by iStockphoto.com reportdigital.co.uk