Into the Future with Scottish Union Learning

February 23rd 2009

For Immediate Release

On Thursday (26 February) Union Learning Reps will gather in Perth to map the future of improving literacy and numeracy in the workplace in the 21st century. Delegates from around Scotland will explore “The Future of Workplace Literacies” at the 1st Annual Scottish Union Learning Everyday Skills Event.

This national event, to be held in the Dewars Centre in Perth, will bring together over 100 delegates from as far as Fife, Inverness, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Angus, representing 13 trade unions from all sectors. Delegates will participate in themed sessions on issues including numeracy, how to support learners in the workplace and training for workplace literacies tutors.

Speaking prior to his address at the event, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary Grahame Smith said:

“Trade unions in Scotland have been prominent in tackling literacy and numeracy issues in the workplace. With the current challenges facing the economy it is vital that Scotland cultivates the skills of its workforce. Raising the profile of everyday skills issues, through events like this, will help enable trade unions and Union Learning Reps to plan for and address the challenges ahead.”

This annual event will enable trade unions to explore methods of supporting those with everyday skills needs and raise the profile of everyday skills issues in the workplace.

ENDS

Download the full press release.

Photo Opportunity
Members of the media wishing to attend the photo opportunity at Dewar’s Centre in Perth should contact Jennifer Payne on 07702 836 478.

Notes for editors

  • In Scotland, 77% of women and 65% of men surveyed have numeracy abilities at a level that will likely impact on their employment opportunities and life chances. 1

  • Adults with limited literacy and numeracy skills tend to have unstable working lives and therefore may be excluded from Scotland’s economic success. They are also at risk of being digitally excluded. 1

1_Source: The Scottish Government’s 2008 ‘New Light on Adult Literacy and Numeracy in Scotland’ Report.

  • Scottish Union Learning was launched in May 2008. The Scottish Government allocated just under £4.25m to Scottish Union Learning and union-led learning initiatives for the next three years. Scottish Union Learning works in partnership with unions to drive forward trade union led learning in Scotland and administers the Scottish Union Learning Fund (SULF) and the ESF Scottish Fund for Union Learning (SFUL).

  • Union Learning Reps provide literacy and numeracy support in their workplaces to many of the 644,000 trade unionists in Scotland who are affiliated to the STUC.

For further information, 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