MyKnowledgeMap awarded Tesco retail degree development

Learning specialist MyKnowledgeMap (MKM) has been awarded the contract to develop a Foundation Degree in Retail to be piloted by Tesco Stores.

MKM is being partnered on the project, awarded by government agency Foundation Degree Forward, by the Retail Academy, Manchester Metropolitan University and The University of the Arts.

The Foundation Degree in Retail qualification is being mapped against the Skillsmart Retail Foundation degree framework and will utilise a combination of e-learning materials, residential delivery and online support to ensure that the programme can be accessed by students in the workplace.

The programme draws upon workplace experience to structure and inform the development of learning materials and integrates work based learning and academic study through work based projects, assignments, and a reflective log and portfolio.

As technical developer for the project, MKM has been selected to design and build the e-learning and the work based learning support system for the qualification. The cohort management, e-portfolio solutions and e-learning provided is to be based on MKM’s innovative Compendle technology.

MKM has started by producing e-learning on personal development and consumer behaviour to support learning module themes of Business Improvement, Customer and Staff Loyalty and the Application of Technology within the retail sector.

Tesco Stores will be running a pilot programme for the qualification, recruiting students in employment with diverse educational backgrounds. The student profile will be a combination of experienced retail professionals and new entrants to the sector.

The programme will provide a work based higher education route for students who would not have traditionally progressed to university at 18 or would be unlikely to access higher education because of their work and life commitments.

Post-pilot, it will next be available to the whole retail sector with the aim of establishing consistent, national learning provision that employers and learners accept as being central to their workforce and personal development strategy.

Tesco Stores views the development and trial of a Foundation Degree in Retail as an opportunity for its personnel to study and learn as they continue to earn a living and develop their career with the company, Britain’s largest food retailer.

"The Retail Foundation Degree will become the latest part of the set of Tesco training and development on offer to our people," says spokesman, Claire Peters. "We want all our staff in stores to have the opportunity to gain an educational qualification whilst continuing to work for Tesco."

The new course completes another stage in the development of a suite of qualifications, alongside the Retail Apprenticeship Level 2 programme, which started in 2004 at Tesco.

"Our aim over the next five years is that all store employees will be able to enhance their education with Tesco, no matter what their age or level," says Claire.

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Notes for Editors:

About MyKnowledgeMap

Founded in 2000, MyKnowledgeMap (often known as MKM) is a dynamic company delivering web-based knowledge systems designed by individuals, for the individual. Operating in the corporate, public and education sectors, MKM's range of products and services includes:
• Academies: MKM is the UK's leading supplier of infrastructure systems for national skill academies, including those in the UK for food & drink manufacturing, sport & active leisure, care, and retail. MKM's e-academy infrastructure helps learners and people with a stake in a particular skill to progress from entry to degree level. Working with the UK's national Sector Skills Councils (MKM's clients include Skillsmart Retail, Improve and SkillsActive. MKM has pioneered online academies that can help people with everything from day-to-day productivity to discovering and achieving relevant qualifications. MKM also offers e-academies tailored to the needs of organisations in the private and local government sectors.
• Skills diagnostics: MKM's Skills Diagnostic suite allows clients to build their own system of skills diagnosis and training regimens. Its sophisticated software tools are designed to meet clients' specific needs, and to facilitate, not impose, the required solutions.
• Learning: MKM's e-learning solutions, including e-learning content, delivery systems and teaching aids, are used by a worldwide and growing range of organisations from Lloyds TSB to the RSPB; from manufacturing to retailing; from the police to local authorities; from the University of York to colleges in Delhi, Bahrain and Nairobi. MKM produces inventive and versatile applications that are can be shaped and contextualised by their users to meet the rapidly-changing needs of contemporary work and training, either for use within an e-Academy environment or as stand-alone products.
More information at www.myknowledgemap.com

Further Information from:
Rob Arntsen / Tom Holland, MyKnowledgeMap 00 44 (0) 1904 659465
Peter Muir / Bob Little, Bob Little Press & PR 00 44 (0) 1727 860405/ (0) 1296 715228