A degree of success for IT hopefuls

A new breed of vocational IT degree has been launched to tackle the skills shortage. Introduced by Lifelong Learning, the two-year foundation degree is the first new higher education qualification in 25 years.

It has been designed in collaboration with industry, national training organisations (NTOs) and professional bodies.

"For the first time, this allows employers to be at the design table with academics to put together the curriculum," said Lifelong Learning and Higher Education minister Margaret Hodge. "It provides students with a vocational qualification and a passport to a real job. For employers it provides the right skills and the right competencies to expand your business."

Technology giants Cisco and Microsoft are working with North East Surrey College of Technology (Nescot) on its ecommerce foundation degree. Cisco is helping to design modules relating to networking, including web design and internet security.

Nescot vice principal Andy Thomson admitted that Cisco's and Microsoft's involvement is a pulling point for students.

"We couldn't have a Cisco or Microsoft branded degree, but it does attract learners to us. I hope it will shake up mainstream degrees and, if they're as popular as they should be, there will be an impact," said Bob Lewis, senior manager of Cisco's learning and development division.

The degree is Open University accredited and can be studied part-time. Full-time students spend six months doing work experience, and can top up the foundation degree to an honours degree.

"There's a danger that they could be seen as second best compared with more traditional degrees," said Karen Price, chief executive of the eskills NTO. "That shouldn't be the case because they're focused on employers' requirements."