Widening Participation The work based learning partnership between Marks and Spencer plc

and Middlesex UniversityDr Jenny Naish: Head of International Development,

National Centre for Work Based Learning Partnerships

NCWBLP• Founded in 1993 with responsibility for

Accreditation Services• Learning at, through and for work; HE level

learning however and wherever it occurs• 1995 - 99 Validation of Work Based

Learning Studies: Certificate to Masters & Doctorate

• 1996: Queen’s Anniversary Prize• 2003: QAA Institutional Audit• 2005: HEFCE: CETL

What is Foods Unwrapped• Joint development by Foods Division

and in-house Retail Academy • In-depth functional analysis led to

learning outcomes• For all Food Managers (1500)• Delivered by CD-Rom & work based• Assessed by portfolio against learning

outcomes and Learning Diary

Accreditation Framework• All nine modules separately accredited• Total credit points: 80 at level 4 and

15 at level 3• M&S recruit internal Food Performance

Managers to advise and assess• Extensive joint staff development with

M&S & NCWBLP

Middlesex Assessment of Foods Unwrapped

“The programme is an excellent example of the integrationbetween organisational and individual learning. It was a joyto assess in terms of its explicit appreciation of the needs

of the business and the needs of the individual. Each modulerequires participants to apply and demonstrate their knowledge,

understanding and skills.”

Quality Assurance• Trained internal assessors: FPMs• Foods Unwrapped Accreditation Board• External assessing by NCWBLP• University Accreditation Board and

External Examiner• Academic Standards and Quality

Committee• 2005: QAA Collaborative Programmes

Audit

• 1600 Modules accredited• 550 Candidates• 56 People completed whole programme• 9 completed Postgraduate Certificate in Work Based Learning Studies, June 2004• 20 completed MA Work Based Learning Studies, June 2005 - 4 distinctions

Outcomes

Masters programme

• 4-way Learning Agreement• Work Based Learning Research Methods• Major project to meet individual, store

and organisational objectives - issues of major change and transformation

“All stores in my region who are doing Foods Unwrapped have met or exceeded their

targets. None of the stores not doing Foods Unwrapped have met their targets.”

“I relate the Foods Unwrapped Programme as being the foundation for completing the MA.

The Foods Unwrapped Programme feels a long way from where I am now. Its relevance to my research however

has never been stronger.”

Some lessons learnt• Understanding each other’s

organisations and their language• Understanding each other’s time frames

and standards• Mutual understanding of learning at, for

and through work• Continuous reflection on partnership• BUT…M&S latest re-structuring…