Widening Participation to University Study Through Flexible Delivery October 21 st 2005

1. Widening Participation to University Study Through Flexible Delivery October 21st 2005 Deborah Pownall Curriculum Leader in Collaborative Projects Centre for Tourism, Consumer and Food Studies

2. Why the FD was developed • How we used the research • The challenges • The process

3. Flexibility based on employers needs

4. Foundation Degrees in Tourism and LeisureTourism, Leisure and SportTourism Leisure and Hospitalityat LJMU

5. Sample Based on NW Tourism Skills Network (2002) employment distribution by sector and geographically: 72 Employers consulted 8% Pubs, bars and nightclubs 17% Hotels 57% Restaurants 8% Visitor Attractions 3% Travel Services 3% Museums and Heritage Attractions 4% Tourist services If using or adapting any of this information, please acknowledge JMU – Deborah Pownall and Sarah Harvey November 2004

6. Demand When asked, is there a demand for qualifications for managers at supervisory level:- No Yes Yes 62.5% No 37.5% If using or adapting any of this information, please acknowledge JMU – Deborah Pownall and Sarah Harvey November 2004

7. Potential of staff ready for developmentwithin the organisation? No Yes Yes 85% No 15% If using or adapting any of this information, please acknowledge JMU – Deborah Pownall and Sarah Harvey November 2004

8. Top 20 Essential Management Skills If using or adapting any of this information, please acknowledge JMU – Deborah Pownall and Sarah Harvey November 2004

9. Top 20 Essential Management Skills If using or adapting any of this information, please acknowledge JMU – Deborah Pownall and Sarah Harvey November 2004

10. Bottom Ten – Least relevant skills If using or adapting any of this information, please acknowledge JMU – Deborah Pownall and Sarah Harvey November 2004

11. How was the data used • We planned the modules to include the skills at the top of their list. • Delivery time was dictated by employer need • We ensured we had good sound reasons for why something not in line with employers needs or for items we had included e.g. Languages

12. The degrees draws on the work environment throughout, moving from college into the workplace as it progresses

13. Challenges • Reciprocal flexibility not always present • Academic bureaucracies not flexibly enough? • Employers too diverse for a coherent lead • Employers have short term needs? • Recognition (or value) of academic learning?

14. How did we get the employers involved? • Used existing knowledge and networks, built up over the last four years. • Work-based learning visits, judging customer care awards, speaking at local conferences, meeting employers at networking events. Effectively I went into their world!!

15. Why did they participate? • The University brought status and credibility to the FDA • Emphasised local needs being met • Used the students to collect the data on a one to one basis. Personal contact.

16. Pay-offs • Increase in WBL placements for both HE and FE • Ownership by the industry of the FDA, which we can use to sell the FDA further. • Interest in Post Graduate courses for Managers?

17. Continued Involvement • Now I have passed over all the employer information to the FE colleges to allow local development of relationships • All FE partners have agreed to join and attend local Tourism Business Networks • Using the University name to market the products

18. Questions /comments?