This month, with the start of the academic year, a small number of Tesco workers identified as potential store managers are beginning, indeed piloting, Tesco’s new two year Foundation Degree in Retail.
Developed in conjunction with two universities (University of the Arts London and Manchester Metropolitan University), within the Retail Academy’s foundation degree framework, and with the guidance of Foundation Degree Forward (FDF), the program makes heavy use of online support and computer-based training technology, delivered by MyKnowledgeMap (MKM) and their e-learning software product Compendle.
Student assessment is carried out by the universities involved, and there are two on-campus sessions each term, but mainly the programme is run online at the workplace, where students can study in their own time without having to take time off work.
The pilot, planned for approximately 40 students drawn from 40 UK stores and split equally between the two universities, was well oversubscribed with over 170 Tesco employees showing interest. In a recent speech to a CBI summit on skills, Tesco chief executive Terry Leahy said “we are offering 46 of our people the opportunity to study for an online foundation degree which has on the job learning – from management to customer service – at its heart.”
The Council for Industry and Higher Education has more on the Foundation Degree in Retail in its June report Workforce Development – What works and why (pdf).
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