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Latest news and trends

Keep up to date with the latest developments in the skills landscape and read more about our latest releases, partnerships, events and insights. Working with over 2,800 organisations across multiple sectors, The Open University is able to share its vast experience and pedigree in work-based learning.

Northern Ireland roundtable discussion

Industry leaders highlight collaboration and bite-sized learning as key to addressing the skills gap

The Open University and the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce hosted a business roundtable on March 28, 2023, to discuss the skills gap in Northern Ireland. 

26th April 2023
PainPad device

Improving the accuracy of pain data to help patients on their road to recovery through the PainPad

The traditional method of tracking patient pain through a written diary entry has proved to be inaccurate, so Professor Blaine Price and Dr Daniel Gooch have created a new efficient way for patients to conduct more frequent and accurate pain readings through a device known as the PainPad.

25th April 2023
Bill Awan's graduation

Realising an ambition – Bill’s story

Bill Awan has always had a keen interest in and aptitude for computers, stretching back to childhood. However, despite pursuing several IT-related qualifications since leaving school at 16, a degree-level qualification has always eluded him.

3rd April 2023
Scotland roundtable discussion

Scottish employers share skills challenges

“Keeping talent local: How Scottish employers can retain and invest in their communities” was the focus of a recent roundtable event hosted by The Open University (OU) in partnership with the Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce.

16th March 2023
Michelle Smyth, Head of Government & External Affairs, The Open University

West and North Yorkshire business leaders share workforce challenges

The Open University and the West and North and Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a roundtable in which local business and educational leaders discussed a variety of challenges that are facing organisations in 2023.

28th February 2023
Isle of Wight NHS Nursing Associates

"It was my route into nursing – no boat required"

Kerry Black, 30, is one of the first Nursing Associates to qualify through a partnership with The Open University (OU) and the Isle of Wight NHS Trust

31st January 2023
Phoebe from RDT

"There weren’t many women in the industry – I wanted to make a change"

After leaving school, Phoebe Chapman, 21, chose to fast-track her IT career by starting a digital apprenticeship with The Open University (OU) while working at technology company RDT.

31st January 2023
The Milton Keynes Roundtable event

Local business leaders discuss key skills challenges

As part of its ongoing partnership with the British Chambers of Commerce, The Open University (OU) recently held a roundtable with a variety of organisations from Milton Keynes. Employers, large and small, business people and representatives from local educational institutions came together to discuss the findings of the OU’s latest and sixth Business Barometer report

19th December 2022
Group shot: Registered Apprentice Nurses with Donna Parkinson, Head of Learning, Education and Development, Juliet Pearce, Director of Nursing, Midwifery and AHPs, Darren Cattel, CEO Isle of Wight NHS Trust.

First cohorts of registered nursing professionals complete their Open University Nurse training

The Isle of Wight NHS Trust (IOW NHS Trust) is proud to celebrate its first cohort of Registered Nurse Degree Apprentices who completed their nursing qualifications, in partnership with The Open University (OU).

12th December 2022
Skills policy briefing session 'Opening Opportunities - discussing the direction of skills in Northern Ireland' hosted in partnership by The Open University and The IoD. Pictured L-R is Jackie Henry, Deloitte; Dr. Lynsey Quinn, The Open University; Kirsty McManus, IoDNI; Mary Meehan, Manufacturing NI and Maire-Therese McGivern, NED.

Industry leaders gather for skills discussion

IoDNI and Open University partner to discuss the direction of skills in Northern Ireland. 

Kirsty McManus, National Director at the Institute of Directors Northern Ireland (IoDNI) has called for greater collaboration between further and higher education institutions and the business community here in order to achieve the region’s economic goals.

6th December 2022

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