Following the closure of Foundation Degree Forward (fdf) in July, LSIS is striving to ensure that key aspects of its work continue for the benefit of the sector. 

LSIS will provide some funding to keep vital resources on the website up-to-date, offer relevant training and produce a new CPD module on ‘learning while earning’ which will be available on the CLIAG section of the Excellence Gateway later in the year.

From their inception, Foundation degrees were designed to widen access to higher education for working adults.  As well as opening up new routes to university, the aim was to create a more inclusive society and unlock the potential of the workforce.

For the last eight years, the fdf team has supported progression to Foundation degrees and work based higher level learning - especially for those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to access higher education.

This work has involved a number of strands: guidance for disabled adults and Foundation degree providers; supporting progression for apprentices; influencing Foundation degree progression for younger entrants; raising employee aspiration through partnership with the TUC and unionlearn; and building the knowledge and capacity of advisers to provide information and careers guidance to working adults.

One of its most influential projects was the development of a toolkit targeted at HR staff, training officers, work based tutors and assessors, workplace mentors, union learning representatives, and careers advisers who may not be so familiar with workplace study.  Based on the findings from two major research projects investigating the awareness and information needs of advisers, this web-based resource includes downloadable guides, information and links, interactive activities, case studies and answers to FAQs.

It also features Build on your Experience: Introducing HE at work, an online resource to help people in the workplace assess their readiness for work based HE and prepare for study, and Supporting Workplace Study, an online training resource for workplace mentors developed for fdf by the Open University.

In creating the resources and disseminating information about them, fdf worked with partners such as unionlearn, the Open University, NIACE, the Lifelong Learning Networks and the Sector Skills Councils (SSCs). Training sessions were delivered to work based learning and adviser networks across the country.

Through its collaborations with LSIS and unionlearn, fdf has ensured the continuing availability of the resources and training. The resources have been moved to a website newly developed by unionlearn, www.higherlearningatwork.org and LSIS is providing support to maintain and update them.  For more information on LSIS’s role, contact Ann Ruthven at: ann.ruthven@lsis.org.uk

* Additional resources published by fdf can also be found on the HE Academy website.