Tesco is to offer its retail managers a foundation degree to equip them with knowledge and core skills relating to the sector.
The foundation degree, which will be awarded by the University of the Arts, London, and Manchester Metropolitan University, will be launched on 23 April. As it will be validated by universities it will be subject to the same quality assurance as higher education degrees.
The course will be delivered to Tesco's retail managers through workshops, work-based learning and online tutorials, and will contain a high degree of academic study as well as practical learning.
The modules include retail environment, retail operations, consumer behaviour, managing information, in-store customer marketing, retail law and leadership in retail. The course aims to provide students with transferrable knowledge across the retail sector. Students will also undertake assignments that contribute to improving business performance.
David Potts, retail and logistics director, said the qualification will aid staff retention. "A successful retailer needs a workforce that is motivated, focused and trained to be able to work hard to deliver what our customers want. As a principle, we try to recruit from within wherever possible. This makes our qualification- based training essential," he said.
The retail foundation degree will be provided by Foundation Degree Forward.
