Business First Digital, March 2017 Business First Digital Magazine, March 2017 | Page 14

COVER STORY- OPEN UNIVERSITY

Expanding the boundaries of STEM education at The Open University

John D’ Arcy, National Director of The Open University in Northern Ireland, talks to Business First about the outstanding opportunities the OU offers students, employers and the future positive development of the Northern Ireland economy.
John D’ Arcy, National Director of The Open University in Northern Ireland

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orthern Ireland is facing significant skills shortages in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics( STEM), which is making it difficult for organisations to fill increasingly important roles, such as engineers, data analysts, cyber security and digital professionals.
Through its unique style of blended online learning, The Open University is helping thousands of Northern Irish citizens every year to up­skill, or re­skill, to help close the shortages and provide highly skilled professionals to Northern Ireland employers.
In fact, 37 per cent of its Northern Irish students are studying hard STEM subjects and hundreds are directly sponsored by employers.
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