"In the past we have taken on graduates straight from university into operational roles, but have sometimes found that they lack the background knowledge, or experience, to effectively lead a team. The ICT Foundation degree graduates will be different - their existing knowledge of our work can be applied in new ways to a collective benefit."
Mark Biffin, Apprenticeship Strategy Leader, BT Open Reach
"It provides a sense of achievement; it encourages you to go that extra mile to get the task completed because of end reward. This leads to greater self-motivation and helps in all areas of work. I have a great sense of achievement when I walk out of the office every day, knowing that I have added some value to the company. I would recommend it to anybody wanting to study at work as it allows you sufficient time to work and study."
Jono Darlington, BT Apprentice and Support Technician
"The ICT landscape is changing and it is critical that the skills market- wherever you sit in it - changes with it."
Richard Leach, IT Professor, Thames Valley University (and member of the ICT Consortium)
The National ICT Foundation Degree
The National ICT Consortium Partners: Institute of Telecommunications Professionals, BT, Vodafone, RWE, HP, Oracle, Royal School of Signals and the National Health Service.
The National ICT Consortium is delighted to announce the availability of this new qualification – a work-based Foundation degree that has been designed by employers, for employers. The consortium has utilised shared knowledge, experience and vision to provide the best possible model for meeting the development needs of a highly skilled workforce.
The Foundation degree provides wide-ranging benefits to employers and their staff. Key features of the Foundation degree include its:
- availability throughout the UK
- a nationally recognised qualification awarded by a university
- offering of further development opportunities for employees who have completed an apprenticeship
- offer to link employers' in-house training to a national standard
- availability for individuals taking stand alone for shorter 'bite sized learning' and CPD
For employers
On-going workforce development through education and training improves staff ability, confidence and retention.
The Foundation degree has been developed with industry partners for busy staff. The practical approach focuses on developing employees through work-based activity. For employers, the programme presents updating and qualification opportunities which build individuals’ careers on the back of solid learning foundations. This assists companies to grow their own talented staff to become skilled, key workers. Work-based learning ensures that theory and practice are intertwined, directly practised and demonstrated in on-job skills. Return on investment is seen within a short period, with future talent development insured and future-proofed.
The provision meets a recognised and consistent standard yet provides flexibility to meet the varying specific needs of individual employers, whether this is through including specific topics, projects with particular assessment opportunities or recognising particular in-house training undertaken alongside.
How to get involved:
To find out more about the Foundation degree contact Deborah Trayhurn, Associate Director and National ICT project lead at fdf d.trayhurn@fdf.ac.uk
For learners
The Foundation degree offers:
- a way to develop your career through gaining key professional skills
- a chance to extend your learning and experience beyond an ICT apprenticeship (or similar qualifications)
- a qualification that is awarded by a university and recognised throughout the ICT industry
- opportunity to work in the same direction as your company yet gain the benefits of a huge pool of knowledge and experience from across the ICT sector
- opportunity to study at a time and pace that supports you
- a qualification that can be undertaken in your workplace and obtained gradually through continuing professional development, so you build credit towards the full award over a period of two or three years
- a way to make a significant contribution to your company whilst still learning
- transferable skills and a level of knowledge and competence that meet the needs of future prospective employers
For higher education providers
To find out more and consider whether you wish to join the network of institutions delivering the qualification and consortium contact Deborah Trayhurn, Associate Director and National ICT project lead at fdf d.trayhurn@fdf.ac.uk
The National ICT Consortium has developed a Foundation Degree Specification that is intended to guide the development and approval of Foundation degrees in ICT by partnerships of employers and providers throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Click here to download the ICT Foundation Degree Specification
Click here to download the ICT Foundation Degree Specification Annex
Click here to download more information for providers
The ICT Foundation degree meets The Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) from the SFIA Foundation which provides a common reference model for the identification of the skills needed to develop effective Information Systems (IS) making use of Information & Communications Technology (ICT).
It reflects sector needs and demonstrates the different elements comprising contemporary ICT careers. It is implemented throughout the UK and beyond, offering a progression from entry level activity to then most senior staff in a large organisation setting.
Click here to download a document that maps the Foundation degree to the SFIA
Further information about SFIA can be found at http://www.sfia.org.uk