Open for Business

The Open University is providing people at work with a flexible means of training, adaptable to specific needs. The OU/SERC courses are typical of this approach, with two sets of MSc modular courses being developed; students are sponsored by employers as part of their investment training and are able to take just those modules most helpful to their work. Other useful courses based on the OU's well‐tried techniques of distance learning via correspondence literature, tutor contact and audiovisual material, include “The Effective Manager” and “Start Up Your Own Business”. Two self‐contained teaching packs have been produced recently in response to the government's drive towards increased use of microprocessors in British industry, and there is also a range of short courses on specialist aspects of computing. The “Women in Technology” bursaries, meanwhile, are aimed at helping women return to work after bringing up families. Aside from the University's purely academic courses there is a range of Community Education and Personal Interest packs.