Business and Industry
Developing Scotland’s workforce through skills and innovation
Create a workforce fit for the future and unlock potential within your business through working in partnership with The Open University (OU) in Scotland. From upskilling and reskilling to improving retention and progression – we’re here to help you futureproof your organisation.
The OU works with leading employers and organisations to build partnerships that last. We’re committed to working together to understand your objectives and how we can help you achieve them.
Our flexible online learning model means that your staff can fit their studies around their work and personal lives. We have a wide range of learning options available, from short courses to standalone modules to full degree programmes, which means that there is something for everyone, no matter where they are in their career journey. Our industry-relevant expertise helps bring real-world insights and practical knowledge to our learning and development solutions.
I would definitely recommend working with The Open University.
You're working with a partner that is both nationally and internationally known.
I no longer think, “Can I do this? I don't know.” I know I can.
Partnering with The Open University really supported our colleagues through giving them access to really good quality learning materials.
It gives staff the opportunity to study in areas that are actually very relevant to our business.
We prioritise our work for development courses.
That's mainly through the microcredential courses. These have proved to be really popular.
I just wanted to better myself. Because I don't have qualifications from school it always kind of felt impossible. I didn't want to give up full-time employment to go back to college properly. These microcredential courses are great because it just takes 10 weeks. That's all I had to commit to. It was just good fun.
They're a formal qualification that can help colleagues actually work towards a degree.
That gives those individuals a real sense of achievement.
It does affect the business as well, because I'm happier to say yes and try stuff.
We get higher skilled colleagues, we bring new skills into the workplace and they get to take away a qualification which is actually worth something in the real world.
Everybody benefits.
Business Barometer
A report from The Open University reveals a growing disconnect between UK employers in Scotland and the next generation of workers - one that could be preventing employers from addressing the nation’s persistent skills shortages.
Get exclusive access to the Business Barometer report: 'Skills for today and tomorrow: how employers can plan for future skills’.
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We work with organisations to understand their challenges and provide solutions to skills shortages through our vast array of learning and development programmes.
Our proven track record of delivering supported, online learning could help your organisation.
Our vacancy advertising system Opportunity Hub has a fantastic range of benefits to support your student and graduate engagement and recruitment work.
Many OU students are at different stages in their careers which means that you can advertise opportunities at all levels, from internships up to senior roles.
Find out how OU in Scotland can support you.
Scotland's healthcare providers are benefitting from OU nursing programmes, enabling their staff to become qualified nurses.
Social workers across Scotland have trained through the OU's highly regarded social work qualifications.
The Open Societal Challenges programme at OU is a research initiative that aims to tackle some of the most important challenges of our time through impact-driven research. The Programme focusses on the themes of Tackling Inequalities, Living Well, and Sustainability.
Engaging with communities, charities, and businesses is at the core of our ethos. We are committed to support research co-design and participatory research drawing on the OU’s unique expertise and strengths in this area.
Our objective is to work with communities so that our research builds the power and capacity of local communities to sustain meaningful change.
Find out how OU in Scotland can support you.
Tailored for Scotland-based Open University students, staff, and recent alumni (graduated within the last three years), the Open Enterprise Network offers the support, knowledge, and connections you need to turn ideas into success.
Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a growing freelancer, or an established business owner, the Open Enterprise Network is here to help you thrive.
Find out more about the Open Enterprise Network.
Business and industry organisations who have worked with The Open University in Scotland include:
