Foundations in place to pursue academic achievement

A car dealership general manager who returned to education at Teesside University says he’s on the right road to continuing the success of his business.

Paul Johnson, general manager of Western Newcastle, was among graduates from Teesside University’s latest FdA Leadership and Management cohort.

Developed in conjunction with the North East Chamber of Commerce, this award-winning foundation course is designed specifically for people in full or part-time employment. Graduates completing the course can progress to a one-year degree top-up programme, such as the BA (Hons) Business Management.

The foundation degree course aims to develop relevant, practical skills for the real world and offers topics such as managing finance, people and change, critical thinking and problem solving, quality and operations management, and enterprise and leadership. As well as developing core skills and understanding based on national benchmark skills in leadership and management, there is a strong focus on developing skills to increase personal effectiveness, such as communication and team skills.

Paul said: 'The content of the course is fascinating, relevant and thought provoking. The lecturers are inspiring, helpful and down to earth.

'I was able to make positive changes to my business by putting just a few of the lessons learned into practice. After just a few months into the FdA course, it became very apparent how useful the course would be to me, my colleagues and the business.

'I would thoroughly recommend the Teesside University course to current or aspiring managers in any line of work.'

Paul, who has gone on to the BA (Hons) Business Management, added: 'The BA (Hons) Business Management work based learning 'top up' contains an element of APL (Accredited Prior Learning) which takes into account prior learning and experience. It also fits very well with those students juggling higher education with a full time job.'

Elaine Fryett, Senior Lecturer Business Strategy and Business Environment in Teesside University Business School and programme Leader for the foundation degree said: 'We have a wide range of people who access the programme from individuals taking their first step on the management ladder, to managing directors of small to medium enterprises.

'All our students are in employment and seeking to either develop or formalise skills in leading and managing organisations and people within those organisations.

'Whether the individual’s management responsibilities are current or aspirational, the programme provides the opportunities for students to achieve through a flexible delivery route which applies theory to current work situations and as a result, also adds value to their organisations.'

The next intake for the FdA Leadership and Management is Spring 2013. For further details contact programme leader Elaine Fryett at e.fryett@tees.ac.uk.

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