1. www.fdf.ac.uk
BT’s initial interest in Fds surfaced when it identified a
business need for a group of apprentices to join a team
where the skills requirements were very technically
focused. After exploring all options BT ruled that a Fd
was the best solution to fill this gap in the organisation.
BT joined forces with Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to
create a series of Fds and also received advice and support from
Foundation Degree Forward (fdf). Fds are now offered in IT For
Business, Computer Network and Communications, Telecoms and
Management, with two new Fds in Network and Communication
Technologies and Customer Service and Contact Centre
Management also developed.
Jerry Comber, Apprentice Lead at BT Operate:
“Foundation degrees are a great way to appeal to new joiners as a
viable alternative to university. We find the innovative combination
of on-the-job training, work experience and the Foundation degree
is a compelling alternative to full time university study.
“The ability to nurture our own talent, grow our own graduates, and
develop new recruits into managers of the future is now much faster
than was previously possible. It’s impossible to replicate the skills
and understanding that come from working and learning in the
business on a day-to-day basis within a purely academic course.
“We have found all HEIs to be very positive, flexible, and prepared
to put forward innovative ideas to help us deliver exciting new
programmes.
“We have found that our employees who have studied for a Fd are
willing to take on new ideas and ways of working. They are willing
to put themselves out to take on additional responsibilities, and tell
us that Foundation degrees are the reason they chose to work for
BT. They relish the opportunity to become involved in the courses
and programmes - get three years work experience, a nice healthy
salary and a Foundation degree, which is two-thirds of an Honours
degree.
“The employer gets a crop of talented people into the workplace
whobring fresh ideas and fresh ways of working. We benefit from
theirviews and ideas but we can also shape them so they have
goodprogression and a successful long-term career with the
company.”
CaseStudy
BT Foundation degrees are a ringing success
BT was one of the first companies to set up a Foundation degree (Fd) when it launched a programme for its Higher
Apprentice intake in 2006. In the first year 20 students participated and the popularity of the vocationally-focused
qualification has since risen considerably.
Jerry Comber, Apprentice Lead, BT Operate

2. www.fdf.ac.uk
BT’s unrivalled training
BT’s current crop of higher apprentices are based across the
country. Part of their training programme includes spending
three days a month at BT’s residential training centre at
Yarnfield Park, Staffordshire, where they are taught by tutors
from Stoke College and Staffordshire University. Many of
BT’s higher apprentices work as Installation and Support
Technicians, setting up and maintaining highly-sophisticated
communications technology for BT’s business customers.
The work-focused programme is varied, and includes:
• Traditional classroom lectures.
• Online learning, featuring links to handouts, forums and
blog features.
• Fd apprentices being assigned a“mentor”in the workplace.
Shaun Pell, aged 19, who works for BT in LAN (Local Area
Network)/WAN (Wide Area Network) IPT Support in Eccles,
Greater Manchester, is studying an IT for Business Foundation
degree. It is being delivered by Stoke on Trent College for
Staffordshire University.
“I find that the Foundation degree gives me a broad knowledge
across the whole subject and the work placement gives me a
focused area of expertise.
“It provides a sense of achievement; it encourages you to go that
extra mile to get the task completed because of the end reward.
This leads to greater self-motivation and helps in all areas of work.
I have a great sense of achievement when I walk out of the office
every day, knowing that I have added some value to the company.
I would recommend it to anybody wanting to study at work as it
allows you sufficient time to work and study.”
BT apprentice, Jono Darlington, also 19, is a Support Technician
inLiverpool.HeisstudyingforaFoundationdegreeinComputer
Network and Communications.
“This is paid for by BT and teaches the skills specific to the job that
I will be going into once my course is finished. This way I get the
qualification and a job without the large costs – and I don’t need to
move to another area.
“It has been tailored by BT to fit in with my job role. This is teaching
me the skills that I need to help me progress through my career.
I am also learning about new topics such as programming and
network skills.
“I feel that it is opening up a wider career path than if I did not have
the qualification.”
Why Foundation degrees ring true with BT:
• Allow a different audience to be targeted. The Fd is an
attractive scheme to A Level students who were intending to
go to university. Instead they can‘earn while they learn’, gain
a recognised qualification and work experience - and avoid
student debts.
• Retention rates are very high – about 95 per cent – for higher
apprentices undertaking Fds.
• BT is seen as an industry leader of Fds, prompting many other
organisations to show an interest in how the programmes
work.
For further information please visit the fdf website at
www.fdf.ac.uk
or contact the fdf Press Office at
enquiries@fdf.ac.uk
Shaun Pell Jono Darlington, both Foundation degree students