With a clear roadmap out of the coronavirus pandemic now in place, the BMF can finally offer its first Foundation Degree in Merchant Management run in conjunction with the University of Hertfordshire, and with the offer of bursary support for students from the Worshipful Company of Builders Merchants.
The Foundation Degree (FdA) was due to run in 2020 but the pandemic forced its postponement. The University of Hertfordshire is now looking forward to welcoming the first cohort of 10 students to start the programme this Autumn.
Part of the BMF’s extensive training and career development programme, the FdA provides further progression for those in the builders’ and timber merchants sector who have previously been awarded the BMF Diploma in Merchant Management or have at least two years’ experience as a manager.
The FdA programme gives students a strong understanding of the business knowledge and skills required to succeed within the merchant sector. Organised in three semesters, focusing in turn on the customer experience, people and organisations and business improvement plans, the FdA can be achieved in 12 months of part time study.
Those completing the degree also gain an additional qualification in Leadership and Management from the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM). For students seeking further development, the FdA can lead onto an Honours Degree in Leadership and Professional Development.
Teaching is delivered through blended learning and a mix of bi-monthly, two-day blocks at the University of Hertfordshire’s Hatfield Campus, live webinars and 24/7 access to the Learning Resources Centre online. FdA students also have access to the University’s extensive online resources, Master Classes and Sports Village.
Course fees are £6,250 per student, but funding support is available from the charity of the Worshipful Company of Builders’ Merchants. Up to 10 bursaries for up to £2,000 towards the course fees are provided, and students employed by businesses with limited training funds available are particularly invited to apply.
Short course update
The BMF is also ramping up its programme of one and two day courses in anticipation of face-to-face training returning from the summer. Throughout February and March a series of online, one hour taster sessions were run which covered 12 different courses on sales, stock management, margin management, customer experience, e-commerce and data analysis.
The taster sessions proved extremely popular with over 1,000 people registering. Given the last 12 months, it was no surprise that the two courses that attracted the most interest were ‘e-Commerce and Digitalisation of Merchanting in a Post-Covid World’ and ‘How to Increase Sales over the Phone’.
Several companies subsequently booked in-company training programmes and the BMF’s upcoming open courses on Stock Management and Maximising Margin are also filling up fast.
For more information about the FdA Merchant Management or BMF short courses, please contact Paige Godsell at paige.godsell@bmf.org.uk or call 02476 854980.
This story was featured in the April issue of PBM. See the full issue by clicking here.
