Whitepapers and reports

Public sector skills shortages, heavy workloads, wellbeing concerns and staff retention issues were all messages resonating from The Open University (OU)’s latest Business Barometer report, published in 2024 in partnership with the British Chambers of Commerce.

Low productivity has been the Achilles' heel of the UK economy for the past 15 years, lagging behind other major economies. With growth high on the new UK Government agenda, solving the ‘productivity puzzle’ is essential.

Every year, The Open University (OU) produces Trends in Learning, our in-depth report into innovations in workplace learning. We identify emerging trends that are either already having an impact on the world of work or will do in the future.

The latest edition of an annual report published by The Open University, in partnership with the British Chambers of Commerce, has found that longstanding skill challenges remain which are hampering organisations in a number of ways.

In an era where corporate responsibility and ethical business practices are paramount, this report from The Open University and HRZone highlights the critical need to reexamine governance within organisations today. 

In another collaboration with the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) The Open University (OU) is contributing its 50 years of experience working with businesses to help employers prosper by assisting them in developing the skills they need.

Less than a tenth (8%) of businesses have a fully realised environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy, despite nearly four in five organisations accepting that ESG factors impact their brand or reputation - a new report by The Open University has found. 

The Open University (OU) has been producing its annual Trends in Learning reports for over a decade, exploring innovations in workplace learning and what they mean for the business community. 

At the Elevate Equity event in Milton Keynes, three expert panels discussed how equity can play a crucial part in opening up opportunity for all in the workplace.

According to the Business Barometer 2023 report, published by The Open University (OU) and the British Chambers of Commerce, 73% of UK organisations are currently experiencing skills shortages, which remains one of the major challenges facing employers.