In collaboration with fdf (Foundation Degree Forward) and its associated partners*, the BCC has embarked on a campaign of activity, encouraging businesses to take proactive steps to plug the skills gap.

fdf is a national body that supports the development and validation of work-based Foundation degrees. It is funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) to support employer engagement across higher education programmes generally and in relation to Foundation degrees specifically. By working in partnership with all relevant agencies, institutions, organisations and interest groups, fdf ensures that the development of Foundation degrees is driven by the needs of employers and students.

Foundation degrees are degree level qualifications designed with employers and combine academic study with workplace learning to equip people with the relevant knowledge, understanding and skills to improve performance, productivity and creativity.

What are the benefits?

Employers will experience improved productivity and efficiency, by motivating and retaining existing staff as the most important asset to your business.

• Reduced recruitment and training costs
• Less shortfall caused by skills gaps
• Better knowledge to make good quality decisions
• More highly motivated staff, from the opportunity to progress in the workplace
• New approaches and ideas
• Minimal disruption to the workplace

The flexible delivery of Foundation degrees means that employers can keep operating while they up-skill the organisation, improving their competitive position. Modes of delivery include distance-learning, e-learning, workplace-learning, local delivery and modular-provision.

Getting involved in designing a Foundation degree means it is tailored specifically to meet the organisation's skills and requirements.

Businesses can also benefit from offering work-based learning opportunities to students involved in existing Foundation degrees in their field. This could provide the organisation with a valuable source of professional, skilled and work-trained people.

Increase staff support for technological advancement by training them to deal with new technology, and upgrading their skill-set.

Your business will be better positioned to meet future challenges and opportunities; staff that are motivated and stimulated bring fresh ideas and approaches to existing problems in the organisation.

Trained individuals also train others, helping to spread and extend the benefits across the organisation.

*Associated partners include Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS), HE / FE Institutions, Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA) and the Sector Skills Council.