University of International Business and Economics (UIBE)

1. Making The Open University a significant
partner of choice for employers
Professor Alan Tait
Pro-Vice-Chancellor
The Open University

2. The core issues
• Increased demand from employers
• The skills gap in the UK
• Widening Participation and social justice
• More diversified income streams for The Open
University

3. Core challenges
• Can the university work effectively with employers?
• Do employers want to invest in learning and
development?
• How could The Open University differentiate
itself from other universities?

4. Understanding what employers want
• Relationship management
• Flexibility
• The employer journey
• From B2C to B2B
• The Open University achievement in the National
Student Survey

5. Sector Approach

6. Focus
• Choosing the employment sectors
• Proportion of workforce at English Qualification
Framework 3 and 4
• Spend on Learning and Development
• Openness to blended and e-learning
• Research and knowledge transfer investment

7. Key capabilities of The Open
University
• Delivered to home or workplace
• Delivered anywhere in UK or the world
• Recognition of prior achievement
• Reputation for Quality

8. Where we are
• 16,500 students sponsored directly by employer
to be doubled by 2012
• Centre for short tailored learning experiences
• Sectors in Health and IT/Telecoms
• Director for Change
• Sponsorship at Pro-Vice-Chancellor level