Press Release
OU pursues the growing continuing professional development market
21 July 2005
With an estimated 6.1 million people in the UK undertaking study for continuing professional development, The Open University has established a new centre to meet the needs of the growing number of working people seeking flexible short courses in order to update and extend their skills for career purposes.
Announcing details of the OU Centre for Continuing Professional Development (CPD), Centre Director Charles Edwards said the University has an unrivalled amount of high quality learning materials, recognised leadership in supported distance learning, and the experience and capacity to deliver flexible courses to working adults.
“We are developing a suite of new short non-accredited courses specifically targeting employees seeking post-qualification training and professional skills updating. The courses will be short and sharp – typically up to 30 hours in duration – and have specific skills outcomes. The courses will bring higher education curriculum to professions. Professional bodies increasingly want to see evidence of quality, relevance and application in their members’ CPD. We are finding that many professional bodies welcome the OU’s interest in meeting the immediate skills needs of professionals working in both the private and public sectors.”
OU Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Curriculum and Awards) Professor Linda Jones said the Centre will also focus on responding quickly to the requirements of corporates, government agencies, professional bodies and other organisations seeking skill development across their workforce.
“We have the capacity – using multi-media including CD-Roms, printed workbooks, conferencing and virtual learning environments – to deliver quality continuing professional education to employers and their staff not just in the UK, but across Europe and around the world,” she said.
“The OU has successfully demonstrated it can deliver CPD to large corporate and public sector clients. The Open University Business School was recently contracted by DHL, Nottinghamshire NHS Healthcare Trust, the DTI, Co-operative Financial Services, the Addaction charity and Airbus to deliver customised management training. The OU has also recently been commissioned to run an international management development programme for IKEA store managers to support the company’s international expansion plans.”
Charles Edwards was the Director of the Open University Business School’s corporate business unit. He has significant experience in designing and delivering development programmes, both within and beyond the OU.
“By taking advantage of the OU’s scale and size, we have the resources and flexibility to deliver CPD to thousands of professionals each year. It is an important and growing market and one which the University is ideally placed to pursue. While there are many good quality continuing education providers out there, the OU’s CPD offerings will be of particular appeal to those seeking flexible, cost-effective supported distance learning,” he said.
“In a rapidly changing and demanding workplace, with new skills and roles required, as well as growing numbers of people regularly changing careers and jobs – organisations are investing heavily in training and development for their employees. The UK needs to invest in its workforce’s continuing development if it is to compete globally,” said Mr Edwards.
The Centre for CPD is currently developing a portfolio of short courses in management, for example project management, leading in teams and creative problem-solving, as well as specific customised programs for major employers. CPD courses will be offered across a range of disciplines including IT, health and social care, science and technology.
The establishment of the new centre has been welcomed by the Head of Post Qualification Education at the Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales (ICAEW), Mr Tony Osude.
“The Institute believes that knowledge and how knowledge is applied in the workplace is critical. CPD is integral to professional currency and like most professional organisations, the ICAEW believes that CPD needs to be appropriate to individual needs rather than overly prescriptive. Within a set framework, ICAEW members apply their own judgement to determine their personal continuing professional development needs.
"This is another impressive and timely initiative from the OU. With its considerable resources, knowledge, expertise and credibility the OU will be able to provide the sort of high quality offering demanded by today’s professionals. The ICAEW welcomes this contribution to the effort in positioning CPD at the core of what it means to be a professional”, said Mr Osude.
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