The document discusses making The Open University a significant partner for employers by addressing key issues like the skills gap in the UK and diversifying income streams. It outlines challenges like whether employers want to invest in learning and how the university can differentiate itself. The university needs to understand what employers want through relationship management, flexibility, and understanding the employer journey. The document proposes focusing on sectors with many lower-qualified workers and a willingness to adopt blended learning. It notes The Open University's capabilities in delivering flexible learning anywhere and recognizing prior experience. Currently it has 16,500 employer-sponsored students and is working in health and IT sectors.

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