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Workforce Challenge Hub

Welcome to the Workforce Challenges Hub

Empower your organisation to overcome sector-wide workforce pressures

Across every sector, organisations are facing growing workforce challenges — from persistent skills shortages to difficulties attracting and retaining talent. This hub brings together focused resources, tailored courses, and practical solutions to help you build a resilient, future-ready workforce.

Explore the key challenge areas below to find support designed specifically for your sector.

Solve workforce challenges

Leadership and management

Equip current and aspiring leaders with the essential management capabilities needed to drive performance, nurture teams, and support long-term growth.

What you'll find:

Leadership development programmes
Management skills courses
Tools to strengthen team culture and retention
Support for developing future leaders

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Digital

Bridge the digital skills gap and future-proof your organisation by empowering staff with the capabilities needed to excel in an increasingly tech-driven world.

What you'll find:

Digital transformation training
Programmes in data literacy, cyber security, and digital tools
Solutions to boost productivity and digital confidence

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Engineering

Build a future-ready engineering workforce equipped to innovate, adopt new technologies, and drive sustainable growth within your organisation.

What you'll find:

Engineering skills development programmes
Support for closing technical skills gaps
Resources to strengthen career pathways and boost retention

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Green skills

Build a workforce ready to meet climate ambitions, adapt to new regulations and lead the transition to a greener future.

What you'll find:

Curated courses and training on sustainability and workforce development
Webinars, expert talks podcasts and reports on emerging green skills

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Health and social care

Build a skilled, compassionate workforce capable of delivering exceptional care across diverse settings.

What you'll find:

Training for care workers and healthcare professionals
Programmes to improve care quality and compliance
Support for tackling staffing gaps and reducing turnover

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Social work

Address the widespread shortage of social workers with targeted learning that enhances practice quality, builds resilience, and supports career progression.

What you'll find:

Professional development courses for social workers
Training to strengthen safeguarding and case management
Resources to support recruitment and retention

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The Open University has been great in terms of those that haven't been in education for a while. We see The Open University as a partner in our long-term learning strategy. We think they can help us develop those all the way up from apprentice level to director.

Jordan Stuart,
Engineering Training Academy Manager at Biffa

Why choose The Open University?

Leaders in flexible learning

With over eight years of experience in digital apprenticeships, the Open University is the UK’s leader in supported, flexible online learning — helping businesses and learners thrive together.

Study that fits around you

Busy week at work? No problem. Our self-paced model lets apprentices balance deadlines and study. Missed a tutorial? Watch the recording anytime and reach out to tutors for support. Learning that adapts to your schedule — not the other way around.

Developing professional skills

We go beyond technical training. Apprentices gain communication, teamwork, and workplace awareness skills — building confidence to succeed in real business environments.

Supporting students with additional needs

At The Open University, accessibility is at the heart of what we do. We are proud to be a leading provider of higher education for students with additional needs, supporting more than 38,000 learners in 2023/24^** through flexible and inclusive distance learning.

Our dedicated support services help every apprentice succeed, with tailored guidance, accessible materials, and expert advice at every stage of their journey.

Find out more about studying with The Open University

Balancing work, study, and life is a rewarding challenge, and you do not have to face it alone. Whether you are an apprentice preparing to start or an employer supporting your team, our free OpenLearn resources offer practical insights to help you succeed.

Essential skills for OU study

Discover the academic and digital skills that help apprentices thrive, including time management, independent study, and critical thinking.

Am I ready to be an apprentice distance learner?

Reflect on your readiness for distance learning and explore what it means to study flexibly with the OU.

Succeed with learning

Discover practical insights into how people learn and explore key skills and tools to help you study effectively and achieve your goals.

Partner with us to solve your skills challenge

Get in touch

The Open University has a dedicated team of employer and partnership managers who can work with you to identify opportunities to develop skills within your teams via a range of courses and programmes.

Whether you are a new business or an established employer, our team has a wealth of sector expertise and experience and can link you with our wider academic community to help to solve your organisation's challenges.

Get in touch

Partner success stories

Explore how The Open University partners with organisations across sectors to drive digital innovation, tackle skills gaps, and support workforce development through flexible, high-quality learning.

See our partner success stories