Plugging the engineering skills gap
Cogent, the sector skills council for the Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Nuclear, Oil & Gas, Petroleum & Polymers industries, estimates a higher level skills gap of 85,000 engineers and scientists by 2020.
The Open University (OU) is geared to respond to the sector’s higher level skills strategy.
Engineering degrees
One way of filling the engineering skills gap is to upskill your workforce through our B.Eng. (Hons) and M.Eng. degrees, the latter of which can lead to membership of professional bodies such as the Institute of Engineering Design.
Foundation Degrees
OU foundation degrees are approximately equivalent to the first two years of an accredited honours degree such as B.Eng.(Hons).
The OU’s Foundation Degree in Engineering is designed for employees working at a technical level in an engineering capacity, looking to acquire the skills necessary to take on extra responsibilities or gain promotion within the workplace. Studying for this degree will develop the knowledge and skills needed to work more effectively.
The OU's Foundation Degree in Materials Fabrication and Engineering is a perfect example of how we blend employer learning provision, in this case from the Welding Institute’s (TWI) Diploma, with OU engineering courses to deliver a qualification that is tightly defined to meet employers’ needs.
Masters Degrees
The MSc in Technology Management is a challenging programme that engages students both academically and professionally, giving them the opportunity to pursue an investigation or piece of research in an aspect of technology management that is of particular interest to them and your organisation.