News

30 April 2007 - Tesco pilot Foundation Degree in Retail developed by MKM, the Retail Academy, MMU and The University of the Arts

The government agency for Foundation Degrees, Foundation Degree Forward, has awarded MyKnowledgeMap, the Retail Academy, Manchester Metropolitan University and The University of the Arts the contract to develop a Foundation Degree in Retail to be piloted by Tesco.

The qualification is being mapped against the Skillsmart Retail Foundation degree framework and will utilise a combination of e-learning materials, residential delivery and online support to ensure that the programme can be accessed by students in the workplace. The programme draws upon the workplace to structure and inform the development of learning materials and integrates 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 we provide for the Foundation Degree in Retail will all be based on our innovative Compendle technology.

There are three themes running through all modules: Business Improvement, Customer and Staff Loyalty and the Application of Technology within the retail sector. MyKnowledgeMap are currently working to produce e-learning on personal development and consumer behaviour to support these themes.

Tesco will be running a pilot programme 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 programme will provide a work based higher education route for students who would have traditionally progressed to university at 18 or would be unlikely to access higher education because of their work and life commitments.

Claire Peters of Tesco comments: “Tesco Stores Limited views the development and trial of a Foundation Degree in Retail as an opportunity for our people to study and learn as they continue to earn a living and develop their career with us.

The Retail Foundation Degree will become the latest part of the set of Tesco training and development that are on offer to our people. We want all our staff in stores to have the opportunity to gain an educational qualification whilst continuing to work for Tesco. This degree course completes another stage in the development of a suite of qualifications, alongside the Retail Apprenticeship Level 2 programme, which started in 2004.

Our aim over the next 5 years is that all store employees will be able to enhance their education with Tesco, no matter what their age or level.”

The scope of the development is not solely focused upon one employer. The programme will be available to the whole retail sector and will establish consistent national provision that employers and learners will recognise as central to their workforce and personal development strategy.