Another feather in university's cap

Oct 19 2009 by Sue Scott, Evening Gazette

A HIGHER education qualification introduced by the region’s largest business membership organisation has received a nationally recognised award.

The Foundation Degree in Leadership and Management, developed by the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) and Teesside University, has been awarded the Outstanding Employer Engagement Initiative of the Year award at the Times Higher Education Awards 2009.

The recognition is another feather in the cap of the university, which was named University of the Year at the awards - the first modern university to win the accolade.

Alastair Thompson, dean of the business school, said he was very proud of the new foundation degree.

“For several years, providing employer-focused, demand-led programmes has been at the heart of our work.

“We developed the programme in partnership with the North East Chamber of Commerce to meet the real needs of employers in the region.

“In most parts of the country, ‘real world’ leadership and management skills are sorely lacking and we’re pleased that our innovative work in this area has been recognised,” added Mr Thompson.

NECC chief executive James Ramsbotham said it had been “fabulous” to work with the university.

“They really understand businesses and business needs and are always willing to be flexible,” he said. “It couldn’t be a better partnership.”

Patricia Wilkinson, NECC’s director of training and skills development, said the organisation was working hard to deliver training that would engage all types of businesses across the region.

To find out more about the NECC foundation degree in leadership and management and other training courses available, visit www.necc.co.uk/training  or call 0300 303 6322.