Latest news and trends

Following the release of the 2024 Business Barometer report, Dr Haider Ali, Director of Microcredentials and Short Courses at The Open University’s Faculty of Business and Law, explains how the OU can help businesses fill skills gaps by developing internal talent.

The most recent annual report published by The Open University in partnership with the British Chambers of Commerce has revealed that persistent skill shortages are causing problems for organisations in various ways.

Risedale Estates was recently rated one of the top 100 apprenticeship employers in the UK. The Cumbria-based care provider has a 'grow your own' talent policy, with 25 employees having signed up to the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (RNDA) programme since it started in 2018.

Three in four (72%) of employers have seen a shift in young people’s (16-24-year olds) values and priorities in the workplace in the past three years, with over half (51%) attributing this to lack of work experience due to the pandemic, new survey has found.

Chris Cocklin has one apprenticeship under his belt and is now on his second – a Digital and Technology Solutions Professional Degree Apprenticeship through The Open University (OU). And he has recently been nominated for a British Computer Society Apprentice of the Year award.

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.

In today's business landscape, the ability to adapt and excel amidst constant change is more crucial than ever. Agile leadership is a transformative mindset that goes beyond traditional leadership approaches. 

In today's fast-paced and evolving business landscape, digital transformation has emerged as a defining factor for success, with potential to drive innovation, enhance customer experiences, and unlock new growth. 

Recent data shows that Mansfield, Ashfield and the surrounding area has high levels of economic inactivity. An economically inactive person is aged 16 and over do not have a job but are not categorised as unemployed because they are not seeking work, or are not available (or both).

North Yorkshire is set to benefit from 29 newly qualified police constables thanks to a partnership between The Open University (OU) and North Yorkshire Police (NYP).