Football clubs across Scotland play a pivotal role in supporting their local communities. The Open University in Scotland is working in partnership with the following organisations to support the work they're doing to improve employment outcomes for young people in their local communities:
- Rangers Charity Foundation
- Celtic FC Foundation
- Dundee FC Community Trust
Free courses for young people
We're providing a selection of free training courses to enhance your career prospects and opportunities. You can do these short courses at any time and at your own pace. These courses are designed to help you gain new skills and boost your CV. You can gain a digital badge or certificate for completing them.
Skills for work and employability
-
Effective communication in the workplace
Learn more to access more details of Effective communication in the workplaceImprove your workplace relationships and boost your professional impact with this free course on effective communication. Discover how to express yourself clearly, understand others better, and adapt your communication skills for a range of situations, from everyday conversations to the digital workplaces of the future.
-
Entrepreneurship – from ideas to reality
Learn more to access more details of Entrepreneurship – from ideas to realityTurn your business ideas into reality with this free course on entrepreneurship. Explore practical steps for starting and growing a business, from developing ideas and choosing a business model to funding, location, and assessing your own skills and risk approach — all illustrated with real-life case studies.
-
Personal branding for career success
Learn more to access more details of Personal branding for career successStand out for the right reasons with this free course on personal branding. Learn how to identify your strengths, showcase your skills authentically, and use the right tools to build a professional image that attracts opportunities - whether you’re advancing in your current role or seeking something new.
-
Succeed in the workplace
Learn more to access more details of Succeed in the workplaceDo you want to change jobs, are you just starting in the job market or may be returning after a break? If so, then this free course, Succeed in the workplace, is for you. It will help you explore career opportunities. You will also gain the skills to write strong CVs and application forms, and to handle different types of interviews. By the end ...
-
Understanding your sector
Learn more to access more details of Understanding your sectorThis free course, Understanding your sector, will help you to understand the difference between sectors, industries and professions. It will also help you to gain the inside knowledge to impress in applications and at interviews and to put together an action plan that is tailored to you.
Digital skills
-
Digital skills: succeeding in a digital world
Learn more to access more details of Digital skills: succeeding in a digital worldBuild your confidence online with this free course designed to help you thrive in the digital world. Explore key skills such as managing your digital identity, staying safe, finding reliable information, and maintaining digital well-being — all while developing a critical, reflective approach to life online.
-
Introducing computing and IT
Learn more to access more details of Introducing computing and ITExplore how computing and IT shape our digital world with this free introductory course. Learn how computers work, how data is stored and deleted, and why online safety and data security matter while gaining a deeper understanding of how technology influences the way we live and think.
-
Introduction to cyber security: stay safe online
Learn more to access more details of Introduction to cyber security: stay safe onlineProtect your digital life with this free course introducing the essentials of cyber security. Learn how to spot online threats, keep your information safe and understand key topics like malware, network security and identity theft — helping you stay secure at home, at work, and beyond.
-
Simple coding
Learn more to access more details of Simple codingHave you ever wanted to try out simple coding? Want to understand the basics of what it entails? This course introduces you to the skills, concepts and jargon of coding.
Skills for life
-
Everyday English 1
Learn more to access more details of Everyday English 1This free course, Everyday English 1, will develop and improve your essential speaking and listening, reading and writing skills for work, study and everyday life.
-
Everyday English 2
Learn more to access more details of Everyday English 2This free course, Everyday English 2, will inspire you to improve your current English skills and help you to communicate more effectively in everyday work and life.
-
Everyday maths 1
Learn more to access more details of Everyday maths 1This free course, Everyday maths 1, is designed to bring your learning to life, inspiring you to improve your current maths skills or helping you to remember any areas that you may have forgotten. Working through the examples and interactive activities in this course will help you to, among other things, run a household or make progress in your ...
-
Everyday maths 2
Learn more to access more details of Everyday maths 2This free course, Everyday maths 2, will build on your existing maths skills and help you to feel more confident tackling the maths you come across in everyday situations.
-
MSE’s Academy of Money
Learn more to access more details of MSE’s Academy of MoneyThe Open University has joined forces with MoneySavingExpert (MSE) to produce this new free course to give you the skills and knowledge to master your finances. Packed with videos, audios, quizzes and activities the course covers all the key aspects of personal finance in six sessions of study that each take around two hours to complete.
-
Managing my money for young adults
Learn more to access more details of Managing my money for young adultsThis free course, Managing my money for young adults, will help you start to think about managing your finances. You will learn how to budget effectively, and will be encouraged to start thinking about your financial future.
-
Succeed with maths: part 2
Learn more to access more details of Succeed with maths: part 2This free course, Succeed with maths: part 2, is a sequel to Part 1, in which you will continue to develop your mathematical knowledge and skills using everyday examples. The course takes a look at measurement of length, mass and volume, negative numbers and how to use these, scientific notation (based upon powers of 10), shapes and how to ...
-
Caring Counts
Learn more to access more details of Caring CountsThis course was developed with and for carers. It is also for non-carers and front-line workers supporting carers. Depending on your role there are two paths through the course.
Sport and fitness
-
Communication and working relationships in sport and fitness
Learn more to access more details of Communication and working relationships in sport and fitnessThis free course, Communication and working relationships in sport and fitness, explores the personal skills that underpin so much work in sport and gyms. We often hear employers refer to the importance of these interpersonal relationships or ‘soft skills’ in sport and fitness, and in this unique course you’ll build valuable insights into ...
-
Exploring sport coaching and psychology
Learn more to access more details of Exploring sport coaching and psychologyThis free course, Exploring sport coaching and psychology, investigates how scientific and management ideas contribute to success while also taking you on a journey through unique sporting case studies and insights that will change how you view and study sport. You will consider how the mind, the body, the environment and training techniques all...
Free courses for staff
In addition to the opportunities for young people, The Open University in Scotland is also committed to supporting staff in our partner organisations to upskill and continue their professional development. Liaising with staff, we've suggested some free courses which might be of interest.
Working with young people
-
Professional relationships with young people
Learn more to access more details of Professional relationships with young peopleIn some people's eyes the development of relationships is a good end in itself, as it is in relationships that we express our humanity. Young people with few good-quality relationships in their lives often find that entering into informal relationships with adults who respect, accept, like and really listen to them is a new life experience. ...
-
Working with young people: roles and responsibilities
Learn more to access more details of Working with young people: roles and responsibilitiesIn this free course, Working with young people: roles and responsibilities, we look at the roles that are taken when working with young people. We focus on what those working with young people actually do, starting with some analysis of roles. We show that, in the context of work with young people, the term is more than simply a statement about ...
-
Supporting children and young people's wellbeing
Learn more to access more details of Supporting children and young people's wellbeingThis free course, Supporting children and young people's wellbeing, looks at some of the broader concerns regarding wellbeing and the idea that children and young people today are increasingly reporting feelings of unhappiness. By completing the activities, you will be introduced to different ways of understanding children and young people’s ...
-
Youth justice in the UK: children, young people and crime
Learn more to access more details of Youth justice in the UK: children, young people and crimeThis free course will introduce you to the many ways of working with children in trouble with the law. You will learn about the emergence of the youth justice system in England and Wales and how it has changed over the years. A comparative approach provides opportunities to learn about the approaches taken in Northern Ireland and Scotland. ...
-
Understanding autism
Learn more to access more details of Understanding autismLearn about autism, one of the most challenging long-term conditions of the century. This free course, Understanding autism, introduces the autism spectrum, how it is experienced by individuals and families, and why it has become a global concern. The course explains how understanding of the autism spectrum and approaches to diagnosis and care ...
Leadership and management
-
Collaborative leadership in voluntary organisations
Learn more to access more details of Collaborative leadership in voluntary organisationsThis free course, Collaborative leadership in voluntary organisations, will help you to reflect on and develop collaborative leadership practices that will make a difference. The course is aimed at people who work within voluntary organisations as paid staff or as volunteers or for people who work regularly with voluntary organisations, such as ...
-
Developing leadership practice in voluntary organisations
Learn more to access more details of Developing leadership practice in voluntary organisationsThis free course, Developing leadership practice in voluntary organisations, provides an opportunity for people who work within voluntary organisations, as paid employees or staff, to develop energetic, practical and thoughtful leadership practice.
-
Managing and managing people
Learn more to access more details of Managing and managing peopleThis free course, Managing and managing people, will introduce you to the world of management. We will be looking at a range of topics, including what managers do, what skills they require, and how you can develop as a manager.
Discover more content like this
-
How to write a CV
Read now to access more details of How to write a CVA CV (curriculum vitae) is a brief account of your education, qualifications, skills and work-based experience, used mainly when applying for a job. Your CV is your first opportunity to tell an employer what you can do. A well written CV can make the difference between getting an interview and not being considered for the role.
-
Access courses
Read now to access more details of Access coursesThe OU offers innovative and unique ways for people to return to formal education and work towards gaining a diploma or degree. Join the thousands of people who have studied with us.
-
Everyday skills in maths and English
Read now to access more details of Everyday skills in maths and EnglishDo you want to improve your reading, writing or maths skills? Whether you want to improve your job prospects or simply help your children with their homework, we offer free bite-sized courses in maths and English.
Rate and Review
Rate this article
Review this article
Log into OpenLearn to leave reviews and join in the conversation.
Article reviews