Tesco to pilot foundation degree in retailing

Citation

(2007), "Tesco to pilot foundation degree in retailing", Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 39 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/ict.2007.03739fab.007

Tesco to pilot foundation degree in retailing

UK supermarket Tesco is to pilot a foundation degree in retailing, developed by learning specialist MyKnowledgeMap (MKM) in partnership with the Retail Academy, Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of the Arts.

The qualification is being mapped against the Skillsmart retail-foundation-degree framework and will use a combination of e-learning materials, residential courses and online support. It will draw on workplace experience to structure and inform the development of learning materials and integrate work-based learning and academic study through work-based projects, assignments, and a reflective log and portfolio.

As technical developer for the project, MKM has been selected to design and build the e-learning and the work-based learning-support system for the qualification. The cohort management, e-portfolio solutions and e-learning provided are to be based on MKM&s Compendle technology.

MKM has started by producing e-learning on personal development and consumer behavior to support learning-module themes of business improvement, customer and staff loyalty, and the application of technology in the retail sector.

Tesco will run a pilot program for the qualification, recruiting students in employment with diverse educational backgrounds. The student profile will be a combination of experienced retail professionals and new entrants to the sector.

The program will provide a work-based higher-education route for students who would not have traditionally progressed to university at 18 or would be unlikely to go into higher education because of their work and life commitments.

Once the pilot program is complete, it will be available to the whole retail sector, with the aim of establishing consistent, national learning provision that employers and learners accept as being central to their workforce and personal-development strategy.

Tesco Stores views the development and trial of a foundation degree in retail as an opportunity for its personnel to study and learn as they continue to earn a living and develop their career with the company.

“The degree will become the latest part of the set of Tesco training and development on offer to our people”, said spokeswoman Claire Peters. “We want all our staff in stores to have the opportunity to gain an educational qualification while continuing to work for Tesco”.

The new course will complete another stage in the development of a suite of qualifications, alongside the Retail Apprenticeship Level 2 program, which started in 2004 at Tesco.

“Our aim over the next five years is that all store employees will be able to enhance their education with Tesco, no matter what their age or level,” said Claire Peters.