Five retail staff have become the first to graduate with a the new Foundation Degree in Retailing.
Led by the Northern Regional College it’s part of a work-based initiative, it aims to help retail companies build the skills of their staff and equip them to meet the challenges of the ever changing retail environment in Northern Ireland.
A first for Northern Ireland, the two year practical and on-line based Foundation Degree in Retailing is taught collaboratively by all six regional colleges and supported by the Department for Employment and Learning.
Trevor Neilands NRC director highlighted the innovative approach to education which this foundation degree represents: “The retail industry commitment, the mix of on-line delivery and intensive masterclasses and the cross-college collaboration all illustrates what can
be achieved through partnership.
“We are particularly delighted that this course forms part of the management development strategies of both Tesco and the Henderson Group who have graduates here today.”
The two-year part-time course is carried out on-line from January to November with a break over the busy Christmas trading period. Students come together for intensive seminars and master classes with progressive retailers who share with students their experiences and strategies. A new programme began in January 2012.
Congratulating the first cohort of graduates, Head of Faculty, Business and Management at NRC, Sam Bell said: “The retail industry represents 11% of the total workforce in NI and we are delighted by the industry’s commitment to this employer-focussed and entirely work-based programme.
“The high level of industry engagement was a key factor commended in a survey of the course by the Education and Training inspectorate.
“The University of Ulster validated qualification forms part of the management development strategies of both Tesco and the Henderson group.”
The development of this part-time Foundation Degree in Retailing was funded by the Department for Employment and Learning. The Department remains committed to supporting the up-skilling of Northern Ireland’s workforce through the expansion of Foundation Degree programmes such as the innovative employer led Foundation Degree in Retailing.
For more details on the Foundation Degree in Retailing contact
Anne Birt-Macartney at Northern Regional College, Tel 028 9085 5000 or email anne.birt-macartney@nrc.ac.uk