Free Skills Starter tool: Helping employers turn skills challenges into action

The Open University (OU), in partnership with TrainingZone, has today launched a new Skills Starter tool – a free, interactive resource designed to help employers kickstart meaningful conversations around their organisation’s skills challenges.

The tool comes at a critical time for UK employers amid growing concern that skills shortages are slowing productivity and growth across UK businesses. According to the OU’s Business Barometer 2025, only 46% of organisations have a written skills plan in place, while many still face major barriers in turning intent into impact.

A new survey of 500 employers published by the OU today found that that the biggest skills challenges employers are facing are:

1. Upskilling existing employees (34%)
2. Keeping pace with rapid technological change (33%)
3. Reskilling existing employees (30%)
4. Hiring and recruitment difficulties (29%)
5. Work readiness of younger employees (25%)

While these challenges make planning difficult, employers are also clear about the skills areas that need urgent attention. The most pressing skills gaps are in digital and technology skills (40%), followed by specialist expertise (18%), future-focused skills such as sustainability (15%), and leadership and people management capabilities (13%).

The new Skills Starter tool aims to make it easier for employers to identify these issues and plan targeted action. Through a reflective questionnaire, the tool then delivers a bespoke set of prompts, checklists and practical advice, and helps business leaders assess where their organisation stands and what steps to take next. The tool and resources were developed with learning expert and author, Laura Overton, with input from Open University experts and external employer partners.

Half of employers (50%) said that access to expert advice would make developing or refining their skills plan easier, while a third (32%) said they’d value a free tool to start conversations around skills.

Phil Kenmore, Director of Employers and Partnerships at The Open University said: “We know that most employers recognise the importance of skills planning but knowing where to start can be daunting. This tool helps bridge that gap by prompting the right conversations with stakeholders.

It’s a practical first step for any organisation looking to future-proof its workforce. There is growing recognition that having a robust skills plan is not just a HR exercise – but a driver of business performance and growth.

Phil Kenmore
Director of Employers and Partnerships at The Open University

The Skills Starter Tool is freely available to all employers, regardless of size or sector. It has been designed to complement the OU’s work helping organisations take practical steps toward sustainable skills development through flexible, work-based learning.

Laura Overton, learning expert and author added: “It was fantastic to work with The Open University and TrainingZone on this new tool. This is a complex challenge for many business leaders - especially where capacity and expertise are factors. We were able to bring together insights from a wide community of experts from the University and its employer partners. This was distilled into a questionnaire to pinpoint priorities , a plan to kick start action and a set of targeted resources that are ideal for anyone looking to make an impact.”

Employers can access the free Skills Starter tool here:

Skills Starter