Learning at Work Week 2024

This year, Learning at Work Week runs from 13 to 19 May 2024 and focuses on the theme of ‘Learning Power’ which encapsulates three key strands: power to grow, power to connect and power to engage. Ultimately, the theme is designed to explore how lifelong learning gives us the power to achieve our individual, team and organisational goals. 

If you want to get involved, take a look at some of our brilliant learning resources below – all are free and designed so that you can dip in and out at any time. 

You can also explore more topics on OpenLearn, the OU’s award-winning learning platform and partner of Learning at Work Week, where you can sign up for exclusive access to courses that will support you and your employees at work (teamwork, communication, personal development) and beyond (finance, retirement planning, language learning).

So, whether you’re interested in achieving life or work goals, building connections or supporting engagement and action, we hope you find some inspiration and value in this year’s Learning at Work Week.

Power to grow

Explore the resources below to discover learning that can help us grow, develop and reach our goals while maintaining positive attitudes and mindsets to learning.

Introducing global development

This course will introduce you to ideas of global development and the interconnectedness of the world when it comes to understanding the most pressing social, economic, political, and environmental issues of our time.

How limits can boost your creativity

Want to be more creative? Try setting yourself some limits. It might sound counterintuitive, but experts believe constraints can actually be helpful for creativity - up to a point. So get your creativity flowing with these helpful tips.

Five governance levers to prioritise for ESG success

This report commissioned by The Open University and HRZone highlights the need for employers to re-examine governance within their organisations and offers step-by-step guidance on how to take action.  

Power to connect

What can we learn from people outside our normal working lives? How can we foster relationships, innovation and different ways of working?

The power of quiet leadership

What can quieter approaches to leadership bring to the table? In this webinar, Jacqueline Baxter, Professor of Public Leadership and Management at The Open University Business School, explores how to encourage introverts to take up leadership roles.

Bringing your 'whole self' to work

It’s become the mantra of many employers, and the expectation of some employees, but what does bringing your whole or authentic self to work actually mean, and should companies encourage it? Host Evan Davis and guests discuss in this episode of the BBC and OU co-production The Bottom Line.

Working in diverse teams

The world we live and work in continues to change at a great rate and this impacts on the teams we work in. In this course you will consider why diversity has increased and consider the benefits and difficulties of working in teams of an increasingly diverse character and remote teams.

Power to engage

How can we use learning to understand the significant global shifts we're experiencing and help allay anxieties, build confidence and support engagement and action?

An introduction to artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) represents great opportunity but also significant disruption for modern societies. This free course is aimed at people interested in understanding the kinds of opportunities and risks AI might bring to society, and what steps we might take to avoid such risks.

Should animals have legal standing?

The law recognises babies, companies and ships as ‘persons’ with legal rights, but not even the most intelligent animals. Is it time for this to change? Law lecturer Fred Motson explores in this article.

Developing career resilience

Do you sometimes wish you were more resilient when faced with changes at work? Do you have career plans but feel unsure about progressing with them? Then this free course will help you to build your resilience and approach career-related change with greater confidence and motivation.

Formal learning

If any of this has inspired you to explore studying with us, please visit our Study pages and find out more about all our courses. You can also find out more about all the courses The Open University offers on the website.