Whitepapers and reports

The Open University is committed to driving forward-thinking discussions through the regular publication of whitepapers and research reports. Our thought leadership spans a diverse range of themes—from digital transformation and sustainability to leadership, inclusion, and the future of work.

These publications are created in collaboration with leading partner organisations, employers, and subject-matter experts, ensuring that our insights are grounded in both academic rigour and real-world relevance.

By exploring the latest developments in the skills landscape, our reports help businesses, policymakers, and learning professionals anticipate change, address workforce challenges, and make informed decisions to support long-term growth and resilience.

New report: Most employers plan to maintain or increase number of apprentices they employ this year

Almost 9 in 10 employers plan to maintain or increase the number of apprentices they take on in the next 12 months, according to the results of a new survey of more than 600 employers in England.

9th February 2022

National Apprenticeship Week 2022 – The Open University celebrates the transformative role of apprenticeships

The Open University (OU) is marking National Apprenticeship Week with new insights on how employers value apprenticeships and the benefits they offer in diversifying the workforce.

9th February 2022

Whitepaper: Boosting HR’s psychological literacy to tackle future crises

With research suggesting an organisation’s level of psychological know-how can improve its response to disruption, this whitepaper will explore how business and HR leaders can draw upon psychological resources as part of their crisis management strategy.

4th November 2021

Business Barometer 2021

Skills shortages revealed to be a long term strategic challenge for employers.

According to The Open University’s annual business report published in partnership with the Institute of Directors, UK employers are facing a skills shortage when it comes to hiring specialist, entry level talent.   

7th October 2021

Whitepaper: Management readiness in 2021: Leaving no stone unturned

There has been plenty written about the ‘next normal’ and the ‘new world of work’ in a post-pandemic world. The overnight shift in the nature and places of work has turned transformation debates into reality – and none more so than in the field of management.

27th July 2021

New report: Trends in Learning 2021

Social justice, wellbeing and authenticity. These are some of the key themes in The Open University’s (OU) Trends in Learning 2021 report. Launching at the CIPD’s Festival of Work conference, the annual report identifies and explores emerging trends in the learning and education sectors. 

15th June 2021

Skills for success: Supporting business leaders with digital adoption

The embrace of technology by small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) across the UK has rapidly accelerated since the Covid-19 pandemic first began - accelerating innovation in the process. However, we also know that of those businesses that adopt technology, most are unsuccessful.

28th May 2021

Build The Future Apprenticeship Survey

The Open University, in association with The 5% Club, commissioned a survey of over 600 employers in England about their plans for apprenticeships in the coming months. The polling was conducted in January 2021 amongst small and large businesses from across the private, public and third sector.

11th February 2021

OU calls for action to address skills shortages in adult social work and social care in England

The Open University is today calling for significant reform in adult social work and social care to aid the sectors recovery from COVID-19.

6th January 2021

New whitepaper: Closing the Opportunity Gap: The economic drivers for learning as a benefit

Organisations need to start thinking about learning differently. They need to think of it as a benefit, something that benefits them, benefits individuals and teams, and also benefits society as a whole. That is the central theme of a new whitepaper, Closing the opportunity gap: The economic drivers for learning as a benefit, produced by The Open University and Uber, in association with TrainingZone.

25th November 2020
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