STUC. Scottish Union Learning. The learning force behind Scotland's workers.

Scottish Union Learning Conference 2009

The 2nd Scottish Union Learning Conference took place on 19th November in the Apex City Hotel in Dundee. In response to the economic challenges currently facing Scotland, trade unions met at the Conference to explore solutions through workplace learning.

Sponsored by Skills Development Scotland and the Scottish Qualifications Authority, the Conference was aimed at ULRs and union members interested in union-led learning. Almost 200 delegates attended and considered the theme “Union Learning: Contributing to Scotland’s Economic Future”.

The event included addresses from Keith Brown MSP, Minister for Schools and Skills, John Park MSP, Co-Convenor of the Cross Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Skills, and Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary.

Keith Brown MSP said, “During these difficult economic times it is important that businesses and organisations continue to invest in their most valuable resources - their people. That is why the work of Scottish Union Learning is so valuable, as it helps to ensure that workers can access and participate in learning opportunities that match their needs.”

John Park MSP said, “Now, more than ever, it is vital that trade union learning continues to be supported and we need to encourage employers to engage in workforce development to ensure a skilled and motivated workforce for the future. Scottish Union Learning has a crucial role in supporting trade unions to deliver opportunities to their members through Union Learning Representatives.”

Grahame Smith said, “In the STUC’s agenda for rebuilding collective prosperity, we argue that building a new, sustainable economic and social model will require measures deliberately designed to ensure that prosperity is widely shared across the population. If wealth is to be more fairly distributed, we need strong trrade unions. We need to organise and we need to be active, and in this, union learning is central.”

Delegates also attended a choice of workshops and sessions.

ESF Scottish Fund for Union Learning
Facilitators: Fiona Wilson, Scottish Union Learning; Pat Egan, UNITE; and Jennifer Hunter, Musician’s Union

In this workshop, delegates looked at how the ESF Scottish Fund for Union Learning operates, including practical examples of how unions have delivered learning with the support of the ESF Learning Fund. The workshop alerted participants to the opportunity for utilising the Learning Fund to deliver learning for their members.

The Green Economy
Facilitator: Harry Cunningham, TUC

This workshop addressed how Scotland can meet the challenge of global warming and carbon emissions, create a new green economy and meet the requirements of the Climate Change Bill. The workshop looked at the skills tomorrow’s workforce will require to build an environmentally sustainable economic future.

Workers in Vulnerable Employment
Facilitator: Terry Anderson, STUC

This workshop looked at how unions can support workers in vulnerable employment to improve their skills and enhance their life chances. At the same time, delegates looked at an alternative economic approach that explicitly aims to create worthwhile, highly skilled employment to ensure all workers are employed in worthwhile, skilled jobs.

Engaging with Sector Skills Councils
Facilitators: Ann Joss, Unionlearn; Karen Nimmo, The Alliance; and Ian Stirrat, Summit Skills

Trade unions have an important role to play in Sector Skills Councils. The workshop explored the role of Sector Skills Councils, focussing on current trade union engagement with them in the current economic climate.

Scotland’s Economic Future: The Importance of Skills and Learning
Facilitators: Stephen Boyd, STUC; and Gordon McGuinness, Skills Development Scotland

The main session considered the current economic situation and how this has impacted on our agenda for learning and skills within the workplace. Delegates also explored he Government’s strategy for recovery and the STUC’s views and policies in this respect.

Delegates were also invited to visit the exhibitions to gather resources and information for the workplace. Exhibitors included Skills Development Scotland, the Scottish Qualifications Authority, SCQF, The Alliance, Adam Smith College, STUC Unions into Schools and Scottish Union Learning.

For more information on the Scottish Union Learning Conference, contact:
Jennifer Payne
Marketing Officer
Scottish Union Learning
333 Woodlands Road
Glasgow, G3 6NG
Tel: 0141 337 8130
Fax: 0141 337 8101
or
send an Email