Manchester Metropolitan University

• Current Students
• Staff

MMU Homepage»News & Events» Retail foundation degree celebrates 100th graduate

Retail foundation degree celebrates 100th graduate

Success shows skills demand in sector

TESCO employee Anastasia Howard today became the 100th student to graduate from a unique degree which is tailor-made to suit the needs of retailers.

Anastasia, 21, began working for the supermarket while studying for A-levels and decided to go on to work-based learning through a Retail Foundation Degree with Manchester Metropolitan University’s Commercial Academy.

The Retail Foundation Degree was first developed in partnership with Tesco with the aim of meeting  work-force development needs and creating  a flexible higher education, university-awarded qualification for the retail industry which would also offer retail employees enhanced career progression.

Anastasia, recently promoted to the position of PA to the Tesco Extra Format Managing Director said, “When I finished my A Levels I wanted to develop, but I wasn’t sure that university was for me. When my personnel manager mentioned this degree to me, I thought it was a great opportunity to get the best of both worlds”.

Work-based learning

“I knew I wanted to study, but I wanted to work as well, as I think work experience is really important and the things I have learned while studying for this degree have helped me to progress my career and get to where I am today.”

Modules from the foundation degree can be used on a stand alone basis to help staff at supervisory/junior management levels with specific aspects of their job role or collectively to build into a nationally recognised qualification.

The degree is now offered, through the Business School’s Commercial Academy to a wide range of retail clients including Tesco, Booths, Halfords, the Southern Coop, George and The Post Office.

Stephen Bainbridge, Director of the Commercial Academy said: “ The fact that we are celebrating the 100th graduate from the course and currently have a further 100 learners on the course drawn from 6 major retail organisations demonstrates the demand for and success of quality work-based learning leading to Higher Education qualifications for retail employees”.

Published Tuesday, 17th July 2012