This article discusses the research approach adopted by one higher education institution in the United Kingdom (UK) to explore employers' and employees' responses to local skills, recruitment and training issues and how these responses were used to develop a curriculum for Foundation degrees. The article discusses skills issues, the varying research methods employed, barriers to development and how specific problems were resolved. A brief discussion on reactions and attitudes towards Foundation degrees and responses from public and private sector organisations is also presented. The results of the research are currently being used to inform curriculum development processes.