In collaboration with fdf (Foundation Degree Forward), 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 high quality Foundation degrees. It supports employer engagement across work-based higher education programmes generally and in relation to Foundation degrees specifically.

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. Enrolment on Foundation degree courses has grown strongly over the last two years. In the face of economic uncertainty, the total Foundation degree intake has grown by 40% since 2007 - from 71,915 99,740. fdf is now within touching distance of meeting the Government target of 100,000 Foundation degree students a year early.

The EBTA (Employer Based Training Accreditation) service provided by fdf – www.ebtafdf.co.uk– helps businesses to answer three key questions:

• Does your training deliver what is expected for the business?
• How do you continue to develop your people in ways that will take the business forward?
• Does your training help to motivate, reward and retain our staff and is it quality assured?

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.