For Immediate Release
On Friday, 11 June 2010, Scottish trade unions will gather in Inverness for the 3rd Annual Scottish Union Learning Highlands and Islands ULR Conference. Delegates from across the Highlands and Islands will explore the theme, “Union Learning: the Road to Equality”.
This regional event, to be held in Eden Court in Inverness, will bring together over 60 representatives from 11 trade unions. Delegates will participate in themed sessions that link skills and lifelong learning to equality issues.
Speaking in advance of his keynote address to the Conference, Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress General Secretary, said:
“Over the past 10 years, trade unions have transformed the lives of hundreds of workers across the Highlands and Islands by giving unparalleled support and access to learning opportunities.
“The current economic uncertainty and nonstop media speculation on proposed cuts in public spending are of great concern not only to the most vulnerable in society who depend on those services, but also to workers in the Highlands and Islands, whose jobs, whether in the public or private sector, are dependent on public sector investment.
“The STUC believes there is a better way to address the economic challenges facing us, including the opportunities that unions provide to workers to help develop skills, and acquire new skills, which will positively contribute to our economic recovery.”
Pam Urquhart, Scottish Union Learning Highlands and Islands Development Officer, said:
“Union Learning Representatives are especially important to workplaces across the Highlands and Islands. This Scottish Union Learning Highlands and Islands Conference is the only one of its kind. It brings Union Learning Representatives together to discuss local issues and find collective solutions to help support workers back into learning, ensuring equality of opportunity and fairness in workplaces across the Highlands and Islands.”
ENDS
Photo Opportunity
Members of the media wishing to attend the photo opportunity at Eden Court should contact Jennifer Payne on 07702 836 478.
Notes for editors
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 until March 2011.
Scottish Union Learning supports trade unions in accessing skills and lifelong learning opportunities that contribute to collective prosperity, fairness and equality, for workers across Scotland. Scottish Union Learning works in partnership with unions to drive forward trade union-led learning in Scotland. It also administers the Scottish Union Learning Fund (SULF), the Learning Fund and the Development Fund.
Through the Learning Fund, which is supported by the European Social Fund, trade unions will offer a range of learning opportunities to over 1,500 workers in the Highlands and Islands. Courses currently being organised by trade unions include British Sign Language, IT Skills, literacy, numeracy, amongst others.
The Scottish Union Learning Highlands and Islands ULR Conference is held annually. It enables trade unions to explore methods of best supporting workplace learning in the Highlands and Islands.
Union Learning Reps provide skills and learning support in their workplaces to many of the 644,000 trade unionists in Scotland who are affiliated to the STUC.
ENDS
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