Guest Column:
Sharon Davidson
Associate Lecturer, Faculty of Business and Law
The Open University
If you’re an employer thinking about upskilling your workforce or even an individual considering expanding your skill set, but worried about how it works in practice, I’m here to tell you: it’s more accessible than you think.
As an associate lecturer with the Open University’s Faculty of Business and Law, my role is to help students succeed academically, but also to guide them through the process of balancing learning with their other responsibilities. So, how does it work in reality and why should employers and individuals seriously consider taking the plunge?
The Open University (OU) was designed to fit around people’s lives, and that remains its core strength. We understand that life doesn’t stop just because you’re pursuing higher education – whether you’re working full time, raising a family, or managing other commitments, the OU provides the flexibility you need to learn at your own pace.
If you’re an employer thinking, “I’d love for my staff to upskill, but we just don’t have the time,” consider this: the OU’s learning model allows employees to earn while they learn. Courses can be completed alongside their regular work, with no need for them to take long periods off. Apprenticeships, for example, can be funded through the Apprenticeship Levy, making the financial cost far lower. The business is expected to give staff time to engage with learning modules, but the flexibility of our system makes this manageable, even for smaller companies. I’ve had plenty of students succeed via this route, to the benefit of their companies.
The Open University offers a variety of learning opportunities, from short courses to degree modules, giving individuals and businesses the chance to choose what suits them best. For instance, our OpenLearn platform provides free courses on a range of topics, which allow people to upskill in bite-sized chunks. These are short, topic-specific courses, making them ideal for employees looking to build a particular skill without the commitment of a long-term course. Whether it’s learning about AI, business management, or sustainability, employees can engage in lifelong learning that keeps their skills relevant and timely.
For those looking to go further, the OU offers certificate, diploma, and degree modules. This means you don’t need to commit to an entire degree upfront – you can complete individual modules, earning qualifications along the way, without interrupting your career or achieved alongside other commitments. This “modular learning” is key to balancing work and study, offering both flexibility, portability and achievability.
I can proudly say that The Open University’s Business School is triple-accredited – a recognition held by only the best 1% of business schools worldwide. This means our qualifications are recognised across the globe and stand up against the best universities in the UK. For anyone looking to advance their career, having a qualification from a highly regarded business school adds significant value to their CV and employability potential.
The Business Barometer has made it clear that there is a UK-wide call to action for businesses and individuals to address the skills gap. The Open University, in partnership with governments and industries, is responding to that call by providing pathways for businesses to upskill their workforce and for individuals to take control of their own learning and professional futures.
Businesses can support their employees’ learning journeys by providing financial support, through apprenticeships or other funding, and by offering time during the workweek for learning. But ultimately, The Open University gives students the chance to take ownership of their education. We empower individuals to upskill at their own pace, and in doing so, they contribute to solving the skills challenges we face in Wales and across the UK.
Our world is changing fast, and the demands on our workforce are changing with it. The Open University provides a platform for both individuals and businesses to rise to those challenges, giving them the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving landscape. So why wait? Take the first step and invest in your future today.