The Foundations and Prior Learning (FPL) unit at UTT facilitates instruction and learning of courses within the disciplines of

• Chemistry
• Communications
• Health, Safety, and Environment
• Human Skills Development
• Mathematics
• Physics

The FPL unit

• facilitates course development and instruction, diagnostic assessment of prospective and continuing students.
•  supports the other programs throughout the university by providing knowledge support for the more advanced discipline specific courses.

With a complement of fifty (50) academic staff with qualifications and pedagogical skills within the first six (6) aforementioned areas, the FPL unit seeks to provide holistic education, which enhances students' preparation for further study and the workplace.
The traditional view of instruction within UTT's programs was that foundation courses provide the knowledge base for the more advanced discipline-specific courses for a program. Whereas courses are taught at the first year only, the FPL is positioned to provide knowledge support throughout the students learning experience at UTT i.e., from entry to graduation.
The FOUNDATIONS and PRIOR LEARNING unit defines these knowledge support elements as:

• honing the required critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will enable all graduates of UTT to be an essential asset to their future employer.
• possessing the technical competence for their respective field of study.
• enhancing communication, social, ethical, and leadership skills.
• developing the required critical tools that are essential in the workplace of today and in the rapidly changing future.
• Enhancing or initiating a safety culture geared towards personal safety, accident prevention, wellness promotion, and compliance with applicable health, safety and environmental laws and regulations.

Additionally, FPL's provision of the knowledge support aligns with UTT's Mission of developing entrepreneurs for the future. This support will be available for all students throughout their stay at UTT, both inside and outside of their classroom.
With regard to prior learning, the FPL unit will facilitate the assessment of students' pre-existing knowledge and work experience on entry to UTT. This assessment will foster the possible bridging of students' prior experiential learning skills and the new knowledge they will acquire while at UTT.