"fdf has been an invaluable source of information and guidance over the years, for which we are extremely grateful."
Chris Keane, Team Leader - UK Apprentice Development, Rolls Royce Plc
"There is no other organisation which provides the particular constellation of services offered by fdf."
Dr Paul Birkett, Dean of Academic Quality and Standards, University of Bolton
"We very much value our relationship with fdf and look forward to continuing to build on the fruitful and successful partnership that has developed."
Ian Borkett, Quality and Standards Manager, unionlearn
"I would describe our relationship with fdf as adding considerable value to our increasing role in the HE sector."
Lindsay Gillespie, Development Director, SummitSkills
"We knew we had a good quality in-house training provision but we needed the expertise that fdf provides to take us forward. The support provided through EBTA was invaluable, without it I’m not sure we would find ourselves in the positive position we do today. Working with universities is new territory for us, so having an EBTA facilitator to translate the language of academia has been extremely helpful."
Brigadier Peter Lyddon, Administrator of the Cathedrals Workshop Fellowship
Who we are
Established in 2003 by DfES, foundation degree forward (fdf) was funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) to develop innovative approaches to the creation of Foundation degrees. In particular there was concern that adaptation or conversion of existing courses would not lead to the kind of employer-supported programmes that the qualification was designed to generate. In addition, the integration of high quality work-based learning, its accreditation and assessment , were deemed to be inconsistent on the basis of QAA Foundation Degree Reviews of 2003 and 2005. The work of fdf in this first phase of development focused very clearly on establishing employer engagement in Foundation degree development.
In 2006 HEFCE broadened the fdf remit beyond the Foundation degree qualification to embrace an emphasis upon establishing and sustaining employer demand for appropriate higher education provision in general. Accordingly, the organisaton dropped the use of its full title and underpinned its 'brand' with the strapline Innovating Workforce Development. Clearly, Foundation degrees have remained an important focus for our activities but this has been driven by employer demand and the flexibility of the qualification in meeting the needs of those who need to combine work and study. The organisation has supported Foundation degree development, therefore, that is targeted upon adult employees, part-time modes and apprenticeship progression routes.
Since 2006, however, we have seen the Foundation degree as only one vehicle for workforce development at higher education levels. For instance, we have developed an accreditation service for employers in partnership with 35 universities that stimulates enhancement and accreditation of employer-driven workplace training - the Employer Based Training Accreditation service (EBTA). In just two years EBTA has generated more than 50 new employer partnerships leading to over 6000 employees having accreditation opportunities for modular provision in the workplace. We have also developed comprehensive web-based information, advice and guidance materials for work-based learners and their advisors that outlines positively all of the qualifications options that are available (for example Diploma of Higher Education, Higher National Certificate/Diploma, Foundation degree, Bachelors degree and postgraduate qualifications).