The Open University appoints Partnership Development Solutions as partner

The Open University (OU) has appointed a key business consultancy, Partnership Development Solutions, to help more employers bring learning to the workplace.

The OU’s Corporate and Employer Services division will be working in partnership with Partnership Development Solutions (PDS), who will act as a broker in identifying opportunities within the IT and telecoms sectors, key target areas for the OU’s employer engagement programme.

PDS is an independent business consultancy that specialises in developing and running apprenticeship programmes for major blue chip employers in the ICT and Telecoms sector. Its clients include Virgin Media, 02, Ericsson and Arqiva.

Commenting on the new partnership Bob Coates, the OU’s Executive Director for the IT/Telecoms employer engagement programme, said:

“In difficult economic times, the Open University solution has significant cost reduction benefits for employers as minimum time is spent away from the workplace. Now PDS will play a pivotal roles in reaching organisations that require our wide range of courses for higher education, professional qualifications and bespoke in-company training solutions.”