From Engineering to Operations Management with The Open University and Skill Up

Patrick, from Beragh, had always been comfortable in the world of engineering but when he realised that to move forward in his career, he needed to broaden his skill set beyond just technical knowledge, he turned to The Open University (OU). The turning point came when he discovered the Skill Up funding from The Department for The Economy. This financial support made it possible for him to pursue further education while balancing work, family life and everything in between.  

For Patrick, the decision to study again was not a straightforward one. The Skill Up funding played a pivotal role in making it possible. 

"I chose the OU because of the funding, but also because I saw an ad on LinkedIn. I needed to develop business skills to move forward in my career." 

Despite a strong background in technical engineering, he knew he needed to gain a wider understanding of business principles to progress. 

"I wanted to broaden my horizons. I needed more than just technical expertise to move into higher-level roles." 

Studying with the OU wasn’t without its challenges. As a father with a growing family and a busy job, Patrick had to find ways to manage his time carefully. He settled into a routine of studying four to five evenings a week, often putting in additional hours when assignments or exams were approaching. 

"My study time was from 7 pm to 9 pm, four or five evenings a week. It was tough, but you get used to it. The key is to manage your time well." 

The flexibility of the OU turned out to be an invaluable asset. 

"It was a big change at first. I didn’t realise how self-directed the study would be. But in the end, that freedom to study when I wanted really suited me." 

“The tutors were always there when I needed help,” 

The most significant impact of Patrick’s studies was on his career. The qualifications he earned with the OU gave him the tools and the confidence to take on more responsibility and move into more senior roles. In fact, much of his career success came while he was still studying. 

"I wouldn’t be in the position I am now if I hadn’t studied with the OU. The rewards came during my study, not just at the end." 

"People were surprised but impressed. It showed I was serious about developing a wider skill set beyond engineering." 

What really stands out for him, though, is how Skill Up allowed him to transition from purely technical roles to more senior management positions. 

"There aren’t many qualifications that would have allowed me to move into senior roles, but what Skill Up offered was one of them. It gave me the chance to step away from engineering and into operations management." 

This shift was something Patrick had always hoped for, but without the opportunity offered by Skill Up and the OU, it may never have happened. 

When looking back, Patrick can see just how transformative his OU studies have been.  

"The qualification has had a monumental impact on my career. It’s opened doors that I wouldn’t have had access to otherwise." 

"Without the funding, I probably wouldn’t have studied again. It gave me the chance to shift my career and pursue something I was passionate about." 

For Patrick, studying with The Open University has been a life-changing experience. The flexibility allowed him to study on his own terms, balancing family, work and life. His story shows how the right qualifications, coupled with determination and support, can make a real difference in achieving career success.