Morrisons has launched a degree in supermarket operations.

One hundred staff, largely made up of supervisors who want to become managers, have enrolled on the part-time course - a Foundation Degree in Leadership and logistics - which is being run with the Logistics Institute at Hull University Business School.

They will follow modules covering academic and management skills, HR and operations management, leadership and logistics. To connect the course to the workplace, the students will also have to tackle three business improvement projects - two of which will be within Morrisons. They will present their findings to their management team and implement the changes within their working life.

The first 25 students are expected to graduate in July 2014.

“Efficiently moving food to our stores and customers - come rain or shine or even snow - is one of the most vital parts of any supermarket business,” said Morrisons’ HR director for manufacturing and logistics Nathan Clements. “This degree programme will ensure that we can develop the best managers for the weekly challenge of managing a supply chain that serves 11.5 million customers every week.”

Professor David Grant, director of the Logistics Institute, added: “The Logistics Institute has worked hard to ensure the programme is challenging but balanced, with plenty of support for students and good progression routes to a full degree should students wish to continue.”

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