Anastasia Dicks

An image of Anastasia Dicks, who has completed six OU microcredentialsHaving left school with few qualifications, Anastasia Dicks, an Aviation Security Trainer for Airport Management Services Ltd, a subsidiary of Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL), returned to studying for the first time in 2021 to undertake a series of microcredentials with the OU in Scotland.

Now 29-years-old and living near Inverness, she has gained six Business and management microcredentials, which means she has an opportunity to bypass the traditional Honours degree route and directly apply to study for a Master of Business Administration (MBA) qualification.

Successful completion

Discussing her experience of studying for microcredentials with the OU in Scotland, Anastasia comments: “I really enjoyed doing these. Some I enjoyed more than others, some I struggled with more than others, but they were all great. 

I learnt a lot about myself on the successful completion of each microcredential."

Anastasia Dicks, Aviation Security Trainer

“I learnt a lot about myself on the successful completion of each one.”

Balancing studying with her day-to-day work, she says: “I quickly learned what worked for me and how much time to dedicate and could usually work it around other commitments without anything suffering.”

She’s since gained a new-found confidence from completing the courses that continues to benefit her in the workplace. 

“I feel better, so the knock-on is that I can do better. I’m able to communicate effectively with different types of people in my organisation. Project management was good; I can now plan better, schedule more efficiently, and set accurate and achievable goals to my workload,” she says.

Completing her studies has also provided several benefits for her employer, she explains: “I’ve been able to put small but effective systems in place, more modern ways of doing things.

“It encouraged me to stay with the business, with previous jobs I got bored easily and moved on quickly. 

“With all my upskilling, on top of my job… there is no time to be bored. It’s also embedded a gratitude in me. 

“My employer didn’t need me to do these, they were not a requirement of my role, so the willingness to support my growth has been greatly appreciated.”  

Investing in future

Anastasia’s line manager Gary Stoddart, Aviation Security Training Manager, comments: “It’s very important for us as a company to develop our staff to stay current and invest in their future and our future as an organisation. 

If we improve the overall skills of our individuals and teams, we will be seen as an attractive employer."

Gary Stoddart, Anastasia's line manager

“If we improve the overall skills of our individuals and teams, we will be seen as an attractive employer.”

The ability to learn flexibly with the OU in Scotland was crucial for the company. Gary explains: “Our work calendar has peaks and troughs; therefore, we could set learning time aside in our quieter periods for Anastasia to undertake her courses. 

“This assured her availability when we are at our busier schedules.”

He shares that Anastasia studying for the Improving organisational practice microcredential has led to improvements in organisational practices, with the team now functioning more efficiently. 

After undertaking the Project Management course, she now regularly takes the lead in planning, preparation, and execution of smaller-scale projects, while the People management and leadership microcredential has meant she can better support her colleagues to improve and develop.

‘Invaluable' learning opportunities

Now having completed the microcredentials, Anastasia describes the learning courses offered by the OU in Scotland to reskill and upskill as “invaluable”.

[OU upskilling training] is a great way to reintroduce yourself into learning."

Anastasia Dicks

To anyone thinking of applying for OU upskilling training, she urges: “Just go for it. If you’re thinking about it, then you want to do it; it’s only ten weeks. 

“It’s a great way to reintroduce yourself into learning, especially if it’s been a while since you were in any educational environments. 

“It’s also a great confidence booster when you put the work in and are successful.”

She concludes: “Each course is something to add to my growing CV. It allowed me to learn while working, building my experience. 

“I look more ahead than I ever did before, thinking of different paths available to me. Options that I never thought I had before.”

Pete Harris, National Trust for Scotland: I would definitely recommend working with The Open University.

Pamela Milne, National Trust for Scotland: You're working with a partner that is both nationally and internationally known.

Anastasia Dicks, Airport Management Services LTD: I no longer think, “Can I do this? I don't know.” I know I can.

Pete: Partnering with The Open University really supported our colleagues through giving them access to really good quality learning materials.

Pamela: It gives staff the opportunity to study in areas that are actually very relevant to our business.

Pete: We prioritise our work for development courses.

Pamela: That's mainly through the microcredential courses. These have proved to be really popular.

Anastasia: 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.

Pete: They're a formal qualification that can help colleagues actually work towards a degree.

Pamela: That gives those individuals a real sense of achievement.

Anastasia: It does affect the business as well, because I'm happier to say yes and try stuff.

Pete: 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. 

Anastasia: Everybody benefits.