The Open University partners with Allstate to provide free learning and skills training

The Open University is partnering with the leading, international, software engineering firm, Allstate. The development of an innovative and tailored website will  help to develop skills specific to the learning needs of Allstate staff across its Northern Ireland and American operations. The content of the website, which spans a wide range of course areas including digital, leadership and management, and career development,  is suitable for graduates right through to senior executives.

The content has been developed from The Open University’s social learning platform “OpenLearn”, set up in 2006 to transform access to education, raise awareness of the importance of lifelong learning, bring about change in people’s lives and enrich local communities.

John D’Arcy, National Director of The Open University in Ireland, commented:

“As we celebrate our 50^th birthday, we increasingly understand how learning styles are evolving and how technology is revolutionising learning. We are the only university that operates across the entire island of Ireland, with offices in Belfast and Dublin, and we have built strong partnerships with a number of leading employers here, including Allstate. We are exceptionally proud of this collaborative, international partnership, and the team and I very much look forward to working with Allstate in providing flexible opportunities for its staff to upskill and progress their careers in the coming months.”

Dr Lynsey Quinn, who is responsible for business development at The Open University, across Ireland, said: “The tech sector continues to grow at significant pace. We are delighted to have worked with Allstate, one of our largest employers in Northern Ireland, in the development of this customised learning solution, as an additional learning and development resource for its staff, supporting their continued professional development during a time of rapid growth”. 

John Healy, Managing Director, Allstate Northern Ireland, commented:

“As our business transforms, so do our learning and development needs; our ‘always on’ learning culture allows employees to access relevant training courses where and whenever suits them. Allstate are delighted to be partnering with The Open University to bring the ‘OpenLearn’ portal to our 2,400 employees.”

For more information about The Open University, or to arrange a consultation, please email: northern-ireland@open.ac.uk

For corporate queries please contact Dr Lynsey Quinn: lynsey.mquinn@open.ac.uk