News 28/9/11

New John Wheatley College and Open University partnership opens up local learning routes

A new partnership launched today 31 August 2011 between the Open University in Scotland and John Wheatley College will give local people access to one of the country’s most flexible and comprehensive learning packages.

The partnership agreement links up John Wheatley College’s suite of higher education qualifications to the Open University’s extensive range of courses and qualifications to create progression routes between the two learning providers.  This means that local people will be able to benefit from multi-optional learning programmes that offer them a range of ways to develop their skills at the different stages in their lives.

From college to degree at Open University

Anyone studying HNC or a range of other courses at the college will be able to count credits from their studies towards an Open University degree.  This will help them to build on the knowledge and skills they have already gained, and in many cases to reduce the length of time it takes to get a degree.

Access to the OU’s range of nearly 600 modules

Many college/university progression partnerships link to a limited number of specific learning pathways.  The OU/John Wheatley College agreement gives current and former college students access to the OU’s entire range of nearly 600 modules.  From this they have the option of working towards a degree in a specific subject area, or they can tailor a qualification profile to suit their individual interests.

Dr James Miller, Director of The Open University in Scotland, explains the rationale behind the partnership. 

“In today’s economic climate lifelong learning is an essential tool in helping people to stay one step ahead in the labour market.  They need to have access to flexible, affordable ways of up-skilling and re-skilling in order to ensure their competencies stay current and relevant.  

“This partnership gives us the opportunity to bring together Scotland’s leading provider of part-time university education with the college at the heart of the east Glasgow community,” he said.   “This gives us the reach and the expertise to contribute directly to the skills and learning needs of individuals and employers throughout the area.”

Flexibility for part time studies

The flexibility of OU study means that it is likely to offer particular benefits to people who have studied part-time at the college to fit round their other commitments, or who are looking to commence or remain in employment while they work towards a degree. The progression opportunities offered through the new partnership are open to former John Wheatley College students irrespective of how long it is since they studied at the college.

Supporting training needs for local employers 

The partnership also offers considerable benefits for local employers, by offering a one-stop-shop for many of their training needs and supporting their employees to develop their skills ‘on-the-job’.

Acting Principal of the College, Alan Sherry, said,

We are very pleased to be entering into this agreement with the Open University.  For many of our learners, especially those from part-time programmes, establishing a progression route to more advanced qualifications can be quite a challenge due to family, work and other commitments.  The flexibility available through Open University qualifications will prove to be an ideal way to work towards degree-level while building their study around other responsibilities.

Andy Woolley, Chair of the Board of Management of John Wheatley College, agreed, “The College is delighted to formalise its links with a respected institution like the Open University and we are looking forward to the future opportunities this will create for our students, past and present.”

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