The importance of work based learning

16 November 2006

A conference focusing on foundation degrees and the importance of work based learning was held earlier this month at the North East Wales Institute of Higher Education (NEWI).  

The conference which was organised and hosted by NEWI, investigated the impact of the introduction of foundation degrees and the contribution they have made in the UK by providing the workforce with the skills that are really needed.  It looked at where and why foundation degrees have been successful and how education and employers can work together to move forward and to maximise the benefits to the economy of foundation degrees and work based learning.  NEWI has taken a strong lead in pioneering foundation degrees and at present offers more foundation degrees than anywhere else in Wales.

The conference was opened with a dinner which was attended by academics and members of the business community, attendees were addressed by Dame Sandra Burslem who talked about work based learning and the government target of 50% of people pursuing a higher education level course.  

Key speakers on the day of the conference included Professor Derek Longhurst, Director of Foundation Degree Forward and Dr Stephen Jackson, Director of Reviews at the QAA.   

Phil Bassett, Dean of Learning and Teaching at NEWI said,” We were keen to organise a conference on the subject and I was thrilled at the interest from delegates who attended from all over the UK.  The key speakers were interesting and the questions from delegates lead to interesting and lively debate  At NEWI we are committed to foundation degrees and working closely with employers to design courses which fulfil their needs and provide our graduates with the employability skills that industry really wants.”

The conference dealt with some complex issues surrounding foundation degrees and perceptions of what training is.  It looked in depth at the need to understand how learning can be driven to take place in the workplace.