UK Training Industry Press Releases

The first students to complete a work-based university degree with leading business development organisation Acua have graduated.

Fifteen rising stars from the AA, the UK's largest motoring organisation, and world-leading engine manufacturer Caterpillar have been recognised as the inaugural graduates of the foundation degree in leadership capability, delivered by Acua and accredited by its partner Coventry University.

They were congratulated and presented with their degree certificates by Coventry University Vice-Chancellor Professor Madeleine Atkins and Neil Withey, operations director at Acua, at an awards ceremony.

Nine employees from Caterpillar's facilities at Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury graduated, including brothers John and Graham Russell, and their brother-in-law Mark Stanforth, who have all gained promotions whilst studying towards their degrees.

John Russell, who is based at Caterpillar in Wolverhampton, said: "I was a section manager and I'm now a group manager and believe the degree has helped to get me where I am today."

Six employees from the AA's breakdown centre in Oldbury achieved the degree.

Janet Craig, Management Development Manager at the AA, said: "This is a fantastic achievement for all of our participants who have worked exceptionally hard, whilst holding down very demanding day-jobs.  It's a win-win for us; both the individuals and the business will reap the benefits for many years to come."

Matthew Spencer, resourcing and performance manager at the AA in Oldbury, said: "It has been an incredible journey and one of the best things for me is that it has given me the voice to approach things differently for the benefit of myself and the business."

The AA and Caterpillar were the first companies to work with Acua after the organisation was established by Coventry University in 2008 to help bridge the skills gap in the UK.

Professor Atkins said the foundation degree success highlighted the greater role that she believes work-based learning will play in helping businesses to drive growth and improve performance, especially during the economic downturn.

She said: "We are committed, particularly through Acua, to supporting the innovation and the growth ambitions of the companies that we work with.

"We have had to understand the gap in skills, knowledge and capabilities that our commercial partners wanted our help to fill and we are delighted to have been able to work with the AA and Caterpillar to pilot this degree."

Acua has worked with 90 bluechip organisations since being established and is currently delivering the foundation degree at TNT, Busy Bees and Elliott Group.

Neil Withey said:  "In the short history of Acua, we have developed and delivered a solution with the AA and Caterpillar which has educated their employees and helped to bring about change in their business.

"The awards ceremony is a pivotal moment in an on-going journey for the graduates, for their organisations and for Acua as we look to develop the qualifications we offer for the next generation of business leaders."

Acua business coach Ian Scholes, who delivered the foundation degree, said the learning had helped many of the graduates manage global projects and identify savings as well as secure promotions.

He said: "Each student's learning objectives have been met and in some cases exceeded and they all deserve the recognition that has culminated with them being awarded their degrees."

ENDS

PICTURE CAPTION

Pictured are, front left, Neil Withey, operations director at Acua, and, front right, Coventry University Vice-Chancellor Professor Madeleine Atkins, with the rising stars from the AA and Caterpillar with their foundation degree certificates.