Backed by Cogent, the Sector Skills Council (SSC), the University will welcome students to a new Foundation Degree in Process Engineering Management (FdEng) from September 2011. The course is aimed at operator and maintenance engineers and technicians who are seeking or starting their first supervisory role.

Taught on a part-time basis, the course is expected to take 3 years to complete and will see a mix of theoretical and practical teaching. Learners will be expected to complete work-based assignments, reports and presentations as part of the course. Modules will look at a range of different areas to help develop both technical knowledge as well as management and employment skills.

The course is based on Cogent’s national foundation degree framework specification and meets their Gold Standard for first line supervisor roles in the process industries. The qualification is also designed to meet academic requirements for professional registration as incorporated engineer (IEng) recognised around the world.

The University of Hull developed the FdEng following consultation with ten leading Humberside process industry firms. In the past year the University has invested £1million in its Chemical/Process engineering provision supported by a grant from the Learning and Skills Council. The Department of Engineering was ranked in the UK’s top ten in the recent Guardian league tables.

Dr James Gilbert from the Department of Engineering says: “The launch of the Foundation Degree in Process Engineering Management shows the commitment from the University to raising skill levels and employability in an important industry for the region. The University has excellent facilities and this course will strengthen our position.

“By working with Cogent we have ensured that the course is relevant for companies across the sector and we look forward to further collaborations in the future.”

Joanna Woolf, Cogent CEO, says: “The Process Engineering Management Foundation degree is an excellent initiative that will help to push the boundaries of work-based learning. We are delighted to be working with the University of Hull to nurture talent and develop the skills of the next generation of workers for the process industries.”

“What makes this course unique is that it offers students the opportunity to maximize the workplace as a learning environment, supporting continuous improvement activities and the ability to earn and learn at the same time.”