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Keep up-to-date with the latest L&D trends and research

From funding and training to advice and best practice, our Latest Trends Blog houses a whole host of information to support you with learning and development at your organisation. 

We’ll frequently be updating the articles, expert opinions, and facts and figures here, so do check in regularly to learn more and keep abreast of the latest news.

And we don’t just deliver knowledge.

We also offer renowned higher and degree apprenticeship packages to help improve your organisation’s productivity and performance, as well as a range of degrees, modules and short courses.

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OU shortlisted for UK Social Mobility Awards 2020

The Open University (OU) are delighted to have been shortlisted in the UK Social Mobility Awards (SOMO) 2020.

8th October 2020
Two female colleague sharing a laptop

Employer webinar: Embracing a changing skills landscape

The Covid-19 pandemic has created a skills paradox for employers. Whilst 63% have ceased filling vacant roles due to the pandemic, 56% of organisations continue to experience skills shortages.

22nd September 2020
Nurse walking

How Government funding makes nursing apprenticeships even more attractive to employers

The NHS and other healthcare providers in England are set to benefit from a boost to nursing apprenticeships thanks to new funding from Health Education England.  As part of the Government’s pledge to deliver 50,000 new nurses by the end of their current term, a £172m fund has been made available to encourage the uptake of Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeships (RNDA).

17th September 2020

"Absolutely go for it" says Tom, digital apprentice at Unilever

At just 20 years old, degree apprentice, Tom Amer has an enviable employment history and professional experience. Two years into his four-year apprenticeship programme, Tom has delivered million-pound savings to his employer, taught hundreds of young people to code, and been flown to New York to talk about it.

21st August 2020

Why young people need to develop skills for the 'new normal'

Covid-19 has had a huge impact on the employment prospects for young people. In fact, research shows that it’s young people who have been most hard hit by the pandemic and whose work opportunities are likely to be most affected going forward as the economic fallout continues

31st July 2020
Making your learning count

Open up your learning: How to utilise the 'Making your learning count' module in the workplace

The Open University (OU) offers employers a range of ways to support employees in developing their confidence in learning and set them on a path to work and career-related qualifications. The Open up your learning podcast series explores the different options available to employers. In this episode we take a look innovative OU level 1 module - Making your learning count (YXM130).

30th July 2020
Employee at laptop

Employer webinar: Developing digital professionals in a changing world: a UK-wide approach

Digital skills were critically important even before Covid-19 struck. But, once the pandemic took hold and whole workforces shifted to remote working, there was no escaping just how important digital skills have become. However, there is a shortage of digital skills across the UK.

23rd July 2020
Simon Tindall presenting

The Future of Workers – implementing learning and development solutions

Work has been shifting from the traditional 9-5 office based model for a number of years, with the emergence of the gig economy, flexible work patterns and digital ways of working. Then Covid-19 and lockdown happened and huge swathes of the workforce migrated to working more flexibly, from home, almost overnight.

26th June 2020
Office and laptop

How investment in skills is inspiring confidence in business recovery

UK organisations anticipate that it will take 18 months to fully recover from the disruption of the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent social distancing measures, with small businesses leading the way back to “normal”.

25th June 2020
Medical professional

Employer webinar: Enhancing your healthcare workforce

The Open University has proven expertise in delivering practice-based healthcare qualifications that boost workforce skills to the benefit of both employers and employees. We work with over 435 healthcare employers in the UK, developing career pathways for employees, building skills and enhancing talent pipelines.

23rd June 2020

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