Three wood-specific foundation degree (Fd) programmes have received important backing as they move towards becoming part of the University of Derby’s syllabus.
Fd/Sc Professional Studies (Design for Manufacture), Fd/Sc Professional Studies (Production Technologies) and Fd/A Professional Studies (Commerce) have been presented to a panel of academics and industry representatives at the university.
The approval of the schemes by the panel now means they can move on to formal validation, with the first places offered in January.
UKWoodchain’s Mike Marchant said the courses have been designed specifically to help the timber industry tackle its “lack of experience or confidence in the education sector”.
“There is enough flexibility designed into the programmes to allow a company and an individual to negotiate precisely how the programme is used, hence the title of Professional Studies, and no Fd can be taken without being shown to relate directly to the workplace,” he said.
“Employers and managers will be encouraged to support and monitor the investment – and to achieve the returns – by acting as workplace mentors.”
Mr Marchant added students can start off on the Fd courses with short CPD events “that focus very tightly on specific areas of interest”, which can be credited against the course if the student shows aptitude in applying the knowledge learned in the workplace.
