John McAlinden

Getting advice from the OU in Scotland has supported John McAlinden to use his microcredential as a platform to study for an undergraduate degree and be prepared for any future changes to his work circumstances.  

For John, a full-time Trade Union Learning Rep with the Communication Workers Union who also has a career in IT, the OU in Scotland’s enrolment team was invaluable in helping him choose what to study.

Currently aged 43 and living in Dundee, he comments: “One of the hardest decisions was what to do. There’s a wide range of subjects and different paths.

Talking to the enrolment team was a massive help, making me feel confident I understood what was going to happen, and their advice was invaluable.”

“Talking to the enrolment team was a massive help, making me feel confident I understood what was going to happen, and their advice was invaluable in enabling some tweaks and taking the next steps to link together external applications,” he adds.

John completed a microcredential in Cisco: Python programming (OpenEDG) in 2024.

Alongside supporting John to rapidly upskill and provide a platform for further career development, he says: “The programme design included flexibility and support to work around personal and professional commitments.

“This approach was not only essential for accessibility to learning, but it also removed barriers to access with my disability. I have a severe sight impairment called optic atrophy, which means I’m registered as blind.”

Support from tutors

John says that studying for a microcredential with the OU was an “extremely positive experience”.

He explains: “At the outset, the microcredential pathways were clear on commitment time and content. This concise approach continued through the course, so there was no time wasted navigating platforms, and what needs done and when. 

The tutors' prompt and insightful guidance brought out ideas and methods for tackling the course content.”

“My courses were well put together for utilising multiple learning resources.” 

He acknowledges that it can be challenging to find quality time to study while balancing work and life, especially when encountering challenging, technical-heavy parts of the course and learning at speed. 

However, he says: “There was help at hand with support from tutors. 

“The forum-based approach also quickly became conversational and enabled me time to pick up and respond to answers in a short period of time. 

“This was advantageous, as it provided me with time to think through responses and enable starting points on my blocks of studying.”

Initially concerned that there was no dedicated virtual classroom tutor support, John remarks: “This thought faded relatively quickly, due to the responsiveness of the tutors. 

“Their prompt and insightful guidance, across all areas, brought out ideas and methods for tackling the course content.”

This included tutor help in “linking the real-world experience to the theory and skills being developed”.

Award winner

Since completing his microcredential, John has begun studying for a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Computing & IT and Mathematics degree with the OU.

He has also been awarded the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) Helen Dowie Award for Lifelong Learning for helping to champion lifelong learning and skills development in the workplace, which was sponsored by the OU in Scotland. 

Presented with the award by the then First Minister Humza Yousaf at a special ceremony, John says: “It took a long time to sink in.”

As both a learner and someone who supports union members to reskill and upskill, he describes the learning opportunities offered by the OU as “extremely important”. 

He comments: “Cybersecurity is in demand and colleagues are looking to broaden their skillsets. 

“As a Union Learning Rep, informal learners started using open platforms and short courses, which developed into Cisco Certified Network Associate accreditations and a community which exchanges ideas and knowledge. 

Transferable skills

“This learning not only keeps my skills and knowledge current; it creates transferable skills and a base to develop. 

Do not hesitate. Make the call for support if you’re unsure how to get started.”

“There are restructuring programmes in progress across my area, and it was deeply concerning whether my business unit would remain in Dundee. 

“Being able to adapt to this change was paramount, as well as being able to fit back into my technical role if I wasn’t elected and released for trade union activity,” he shares.

To anyone thinking of studying with the OU, John concludes: “Do not hesitate. 

“Make the call for support if you’re unsure how to get started. There’s plenty of ways to adjust your learning path in flight.”