Jewson and Birmingham City University join forces to create the Jewson Foundation Degree

JEWSON AND BIRMINGHAM CITY UNIVERSITY JOIN FORCES TO CREATE THE JEWSON FOUNDATION DEGREE

Industry first as Jewson pioneers specialist degree in builders' merchanting

Jewson, the UK's leading builders' merchant, in partnership with Birmingham City University, has launched the first ever Foundation Degree in Builders' Merchanting. The degree, which has been in development for almost two years, was launched at the House of Commons on Tuesday 13 October with a keynote speech from Ian Lucas MP, Minister for Business and Regulatory Reform.  Jewson also launched a Post Graduate Diploma in Leadership and Strategy to run in tandem with the new Foundation Degree.

 "Quote from MP's speech"

Peter Hindle MBE, Managing Director of Jewson and Chief Executive of Saint-Gobain Building Distribution UK & Ireland, explains: "The Jewson Foundation Degree is an industry first and something that everyone throughout the business is extremely proud of. We recognise that investing in our people, particularly in today's challenging economic climate, is essential if we are to maintain our position as the UK's leading builders' merchant and ensure that Jewson emerges from the recession ahead of its competitors."

He added, "The Jewson Foundation Degree will also reinforce the crucial role of the builders' merchant in helping the construction sector deliver a more sustainable built environment. It will further professionalise our involvement with the relevant supply-chains and ensure that our students are well-equipped to play a leading role in the future of the construction industry."

The partnership with Birmingham City University, one of the largest business schools in the UK and, according to the Times Higher Education Supplement the ‘most in demand' university in 2009, is the first of its kind for the construction sector and will deliver an innovative and entrepreneurial approach to education. The partnership was forged with the assistance of Foundation Degree Forward, a national body that supports the development and validation of high quality foundation degrees. 

Professor Derek Longhurst, Chief Executive of fdf (Foundation Degree Forward) comments: "In the context of the recession, it is vitally important for large employers like Jewson to demonstrate what can be done through positive developments such as this foundation degree that will benefit both the business and employees. The use of fdf's EBTA (Employer-Based Training Accreditation) service has generated a strong and lasting partnership between an employer providing high quality training opportunities and a University supporting development through accreditation."

The Jewson Foundation Degree is aimed at new and existing Branch Managers and Assistant Branch Managers, who have completed Jewson's in-house Potential Branch Manager programme, and will be delivered through face-to-face modules, e-learning and web forums. The inaugural intake of 25 students from Jewson and its sister business Graham, a leading plumbers' merchant, are enrolled to start the Foundation Degree from October 2009.  The 14 month course will be supported by a Birmingham City University lecturer and the Jewson training department, culminating in a two day project presentation where students will be required to demonstrate creative thinking that has led to a bottom-line impact on the Jewson business. The learning modules include management and leadership, law for merchants, customer servicing and marketing, and personal professional development.

David Tidmarsh, Vice Chancellor of Birmingham City University, comments: "We are very pleased to be working with Jewson to deliver this unique qualification. This collaboration highlights the University's focus on high quality teaching and providing courses that have professional relevance that make our graduates highly employable. The University is proud of its many industry partnerships and our association with Jewson is a welcome addition to the list of prestigious companies that we work with."

The Post Graduate Diploma in Leadership and Strategy begins in January 2010 and will welcome 18 students, each of which will be expected to commit to five hours of self directed learning each week. Students will be experienced Branch Managers, who have managed different branches throughout their career, and who are looking to take the next step to become Area Manager. The objective of the Jewson Post Graduate Diploma is to prepare delegates for senior management roles with broader responsibilities. Modules covered include organisational processes & lean management, leadership and change management, strategy & risk management, culminating with an intensive work based project.  The Diploma will replace Jewson's in-house senior management programme and provide nationally recognised qualifications for graduates following a 12 month course.

Both courses will provide significant benefits to Jewson by providing its Branch Managers with a greater understanding of the wider business context, the chance to develop a strong network of people throughout the organisation and improved project management and overall business performance.  Both the Degree and the Post Graduate Diploma build on Jewson's on-going commitment to training and development within the business. In 2008 alone, Jewson invested £4.1m which delivered 158,594 hours of training to employees at all levels of the business.

Ends

Notes to editors

For more information on the Jewson Foundation Degree or the Post Graduate Diploma, please contact Stuart Pearson at Phoenix on 01372 370877 or email stuartgp@phoenixplc.com.

For more information on Jewson or Saint-Gobain Building Distribution UK & Ireland please visit www.jewson.co.uk or www.saint-gobain.co.uk.

Jewson

Jewson is the UK's leading supplier of timber and building products, with a national network of over 500 branches.

As the UK's sustainable builders' merchant, Jewson provides the most extensive breadth of building materials, renewable technologies and water conservation products, with ready access to a portfolio of over 400,000 throughout its UK network. Jewson also provides access to the expertise and full product range of the Saint-Gobain Building Distribution Group and is committed to delivering supply chain value.

From supporting large scale public sector contracts to managing self build projects and advising on the latest sustainable solutions, Jewson can help.

Saint-Gobain Building Distribution UK & Ireland

Saint-Gobain Building Distribution UK and Ireland comprises many of the largest names in building material supply including Jewson, the leading supplier of sustainable timber and building products, Graham the UK's plumbing, heating and sanitaryware specialist and Greenworks a specialist supplier of renewable energy solutions. It operates from over 940 locations and has more than 11,000 employees.

Birmingham City University

Birmingham City University is a large multi-cultural university with 23,000 students, which is committed to continual improvement, and offers an innovative and practical approach to teaching. 

fdf (Foundation Degree Forward) is a national body that supports the development and validation of high quality Foundation degrees. It is funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) to support employer engagement across work- based higher education programmes generally and in relation to Foundation degrees specifically.

fdf works in partnership with all relevant agencies, institutions, organizations and interest groups to ensure that the development of work-based higher level skills training is driven by the needs of employers and students.