Employers Enter Here The first ever national Skills Audit released by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills showed that a majority of the employers questioned (69%) expected that at least some of their staff would need to acquire new skills or knowledge over the next 12 months. This is much higher than the 19% of employers who identified current skills gaps among their staff. Most employers reported that the recession has had no impact on the amount or type of training they provide, the type of provider used or the amount of training that leads to a nationally recognised qualification. Through the programme of activity, local chambers, Foundation degree Forward and local partners will aim to: Build a community in which the awareness of foundation degrees can be developed and fostered. Encourage employers to participate in the development of course frameworks; ensuring the development and validation of high quality Foundation degrees - developed for business by business. Identify placement opportunities for Foundation degree students within their local market. Why get involved? Foundation degrees are being developed with employers to respond to the demands for the right skills to cope with the ever-changing work place. Foundation degrees must involve employers in design and development to ensure that the skills delivered in this work-based qualification are a real asset to organisations. Employers can be involved in the programme design or link into a Foundation degree that already exists according to the organisation's skills needs. The Foundation degree can be delivered around existing work patterns, which means that businesses can keep operating while employees get the skills they need to keep ahead of the competition. Many organisations are already taking advantage of the Foundation degree opportunity and have found investing in Foundation degrees has improved staff retention. Click here to find out how Alison Etherington, an Arrears Advisor at Darlington Building Society newly acquired qualification has helped her to be more confident and effective at work. Click here to find out how Barry Vineall, Business Development Manager at aerospace engineering specialist AF Aerospace, has risen through the ranks during a career which started with an apprenticeship as a machinist. Employers from a diverse range of sectors have successfully used the EBTA service. “EBTA has added value to Booth’s existing programme as well as providing a route onto the Foundation degree. The programme is redefining the training landscape and is becoming the benchmark standard for the development of retail store managers.” - Therese Edmonds, who manages training programmes for Booths Supermarkets. “Working with fdf and the EBTA process has helped Marshall Aerospace to understand the opportunities for employer-based training. The company has also realised it can call on the specialist advice and support required to create a programme of its own design to address both the needs of Marshalls Aerospace and the industry as a whole.” - Dave Hudson, Head of the AeroAcademy for Marshall Aerospace.