Flexible learning for employees and their families

Success story: Uber

Summary:

  • Partner: Uber
  • Sector: Private, transport company
  • Challenges: Needing a learning programme for employees that fitted with their working patterns
  • Solution: OpenLearn, short courses (microcredentials) and undergraduate degree courses through The Open University (OU)
  • Outcome: Increased loyalty from employees

Background: Employee support that works

Uber wanted to find a way to offer an additional benefit to its drivers, by supporting them to learn with fully funded education.

To make this part of their loyalty programme even more attractive, they extended the offer to close family members of the drivers as well.

The programme offered access to The Open University’s free OpenLearn platform, plus eligible drivers could enroll on the OU’s paid courses, including microcredentials and undergraduate degrees.

Uber’s driving population and subsequently their family members are a very diverse community. Something like 75% of Uber drivers are first generation migrants to the UK. Their educational background is varied, but quite often they have already gained significant qualifications in their birth country, but have been unable to utilise those qualifications in the UK.

Simon Tindall,
Director of Skills and Innovation, The Open University

Enhanced learning and career opportunities

For Uber’s drivers the programme offered them the chance to not only expand their learning but also provide them with future opportunities to use these newfound skills.

Also, some drivers, who already held degrees from other countries, were now able to gain qualifications that were recognised within the UK.

Going to university is a big dream,” he says. “I believe this is a very big gift from Uber to Uber drivers. I’m giving my family time and I’m studying and I’m working.

Mohammed Rashid,
Driver, Uber

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Conclusion: Flexibility for all is the key to success

Since the partnership with the OU first started in 2019, more that 1,500 learners from Uber have enrolled on a paid course.

One key to this success was Uber’s need for flexibility and the fact this is a fundamental value of The Open University.

Drivers could all work online and do so at times that fitted in around their busy work and family lives.

The flexible model that the OU runs, providing education and providing opportunities to develop skills was really appealing to us. We could provide something for our drivers which they can learn from and fit in around their driving and other commitments.

Sophie Carter
Head of Policy, Uber

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