The OU and 5% Club launch free academy for HR professionals

The Open University (OU) and the 5% Club have launched a career development portal, the 5% Club Academy, aimed at HR professionals and those working with emerging talent.

The 5% Club is a charity that encourages workplace learning and skills development.

The new academy is free to all current members.

The portal gives members access to a range of courses, including those from the OU’s OpenLearn platform and the Brathay Trust.

The approach is self-directed, letting users set their own learning pace and focus on skills they choose to build.

Phil Kenmore, director of employers and partnerships at the OU, said: “At the OU we are always looking for new ways to support flexible and accessible upskilling, particularly for those who may not usually find the time.

“The launch of this initiative with The 5% Club offers members an opportunity to carve out valuable time for professional growth and a dedicated space for development that they may not have previously had.”

Simon Ashby, head of OpenLearn, said: “While OpenLearn supports millions of home learners, we are also increasingly seeing businesses turn to free learning to support and upskill their employees via our range of free courses.