Upskilling news
Explore our skills at work articles for latest ideas, views and research.
Partnership to boost skills and opportunities in Scottish sports community
The OU in Scotland and sportscotland have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding enhancing skills and education within Scotland’s sporting sector..
10 January 2025
Scottish mums considering retraining for new career
Nearly two-thirds of Scottish mums want to retrain for a new career but money, time and guilt hold them back, according to findings from the OU.
13 November 2024
Open University in Scotland joins Pathways Forward Pledge
The Open University in Scotland has announced our participation as a Pledge partner in the Pathways Forward initiative, to support and empower women in entrepreneurship.
27 August 2024
CodeBase partners with OU to boost co-learning and entrepreneurship
Distance learning pioneer, The OU, will partner with CodeBase’s Techscaler initiative, the Scottish Government’s tech startup programme run by CodeBase.
19 August 2024
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Partnership helping footballers plan for life off the pitch
Chris Higgins from independent trade union the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Scotland discusses how the organisation helps its members to access OU study opportunities.
29 July 2024
Scottish firms less likely to report skills shortages compared with UK, but businesses lack confidence
Over half of Scottish organisations are still reporting worrying skills shortages, says new report.
19 June 2024
Lifelong learning award for union rep
The First Minister of Scotland has presented a lifelong learning award sponsored by the OU in Scotland, to John McAlinden of the Communication Workers Union.
19 April 2024
First teacher training course to embed Scots language
The OU in Scotland and Education Scotland have created a course for teachers on how to include Scots language and culture in their classrooms.
6 February 2024
Partnership to improve children's lives
Children in Scotland has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the OU in Scotland which will form the foundation of an exciting partnership between the two organisations.
22 November 2023
Health education and training to improve outcomes
NHS Education for Scotland has signed a new strategic collaboration agreement with the OU.
20 November 2023
Lack of skills holding back environmental, social and governance action
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy is discussed in board rooms but lack of skills is holding back action, according to new report by The Open University.
6 November 2023
Articulation agreement between SQA and OU confirmed
The OU in Scotland has signed an agreement with the SQA which will allow learners from across the country who have completed HNC and diplomas to progress onto OU degrees.
10 October 2023
Partnership opens up new opportunities for Trust
The OU and the National Trust for Scotland have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which will form the foundation of an exciting partnership between the two organisations.
20 September 2023
Scottish employers missing out on hidden talent pool
The latest Business Barometer report shows skills shortages for most Scottish organisations.
29 June 2023
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Help for Scottish SMEs aiming to modernise
New research recognises the positive impact of staff upskilling on business success. Tim Lewis shares how the OU in Scotland can help businesses through the Flexible Workforce Development Fund.
20 June 2023
Two-thirds of Scotland's SMEs report skills shortages
Two-thirds of Scotland's SMEs owners and managers have reported that skills shortages are impacting their profitability, according to new research conducted for the OU in Scotland.
30 May 2023
Business roadshow unlocks fully-funded training
The OU in Scotland has launched its inaugural Skills for Business Roadshow which will be touring Scotland in April and May.
12 April 2023
Supporting the tourism and hospitality workforce
This Scottish Tourism Month, the OU’s David Allen highlights our support for the tourism and hospitality sector to recruit and retain staff, following Brexit and COVID-19 challenges.
24 March 2023
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Tourism and hospitality talent nurtured
OU in Scotland and Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland Scholars will gain knowledge and skills on a funded Microcredential course.
21 March 2023
Scottish employers share skills challenges
A range of employers, representatives from local educational institutions, and business leaders, came together to share their experiences of the local skills landscape, and challenges they're facing, reveals Tim Lewis, Business Relationships Manager at the OU in Scotland.
20 March 2023
Helping businesses to bridge skills gaps
Employers across Scotland say that their organisations are facing acute skills shortages, with the impact leading to reduced output, profitability and growth. The OU's David Allen shares how Scotland's businesses of all sizes can access training to bridge vital skills gaps.
30 January 2023
Defusing nursing’s ticking timebomb
The current shortfall in nursing staff has been described as a ‘ticking timebomb’. The OU provides accessible routes that open up nursing careers to more people, says the Liz Sturley from the OU's School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care.
12 December 2022
Vital opportunities delivered to Scotland's businesses
Small businesses in Scotland can now access free training from the UK's largest university to help upskill their workforce. Tim Lewis, Business Relationships Manager at the OU in Scotland, explains how employers and employees can benefit from the fund.
3 October 2022
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