Latest news

Aberdeen City Council Workers Celebrate New Qualifications through Trade Union Learning

L-R Michael Conroy (UCATT), John Noble (Aberdeen City Council), Jamie Hepburn MSP, Mark Fordyce, John Dunbar, Scot Myles, Raymond Sim, Roger Chamberlain, James Aitken (UCATT), Councillor Neil Cooney (Photo by Norman Adams, Aberdeen City Council

UCATT and Unite the Union have invited Jamie Hepburn MSP, Minister for Employability and Training, to celebrate the achievements of workplace learners at Aberdeen City Council, and present them with certificates on Monday, 28 November. The unions organised learning and support to 297 Aberdeen City Council Workers over the last two years. Learning was delivered free to workers through financial support from the Learning Fund, which is administered by Scottish Union Learning and supported by the Scottish Government.

Last month, UCATT organised onsite assessment for 23 Aberdeen City Council tradespeople, including joiners, painters, plasterers, slaters and masons. The programme provided workers who had no formal qualifications with an opportunity to demonstrate their considerable skills and experience. Candidates were assessed at work, and also completed portfolios to obtain NVQ Level 2 qualifications. The Council funded 10 places and ensured the workloads of candidates were suitable to evidence their wide-ranging skills; the other 13 places were funded through the Learning Fund.

The Minister will also tour disused Council properties to view examples of the work completed by the learners, including partitioned walls, plastering, and brickwork.

Wendy Burton, Director of Scottish Union Learning, said:

“Scottish Union Learning congratulates workers in Aberdeen City Council on obtaining their qualifications. This is an excellent example of trade union and employer partnerships, demonstrating how working together can overcome logistical workplace challenges and develop vital learning opportunities for workers.”

Minister for Employability and Training Jamie Hepburn said:

"Scottish Union Learning helps workers to improve their skills and qualifications as well as their prospects and prosperity. Today’s visit highlights what can be achieved when trade unions and employers work together to support Scotland’s workers.

“Trade Unions play a vital role in up-skilling our workforce and delivering Scottish Union Learning so it is great to hear first-hand from those who have benefitted from the programme and to celebrate in their success. Having the right people with the right skills is essential to our economy, and that is why the Scottish Government is pleased to continue supporting this programme with almost £2.3 million this financial year.”

Steve Dillon, UCATT Regional Secretary, said:

"This workforce development programme has been a huge logistical and organisational undertaking. The union has worked extremely close with Scottish Union Learning, Aberdeen City Council and Sibbald Training to ensure assessment and learning was meaningful and of a high quality. Without this close relationship, highly skilled experienced workers would not have had the opportunity to evidence their workplace skills. Through the hard work and determination of both UCATT Learning Organiser, Michael Conroy, and Aberdeen City Council Business Development Officer, John Noble, this workforce development opportunity has been a major success."

ENDS

Notes for editors

UCATT and Unite the Union organised Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) test preparation sessions for 240 workers in partnership with Aberdeen City Council. The unions accessed the Learning Fund to deliver 12 half-day sessions for 240 learners including joiners, painters, labourers and plumbers. This workshop equipped learners with the health and safety knowledge and IT skills to pass the necessary HSE test. The Council organised paid release, onsite facilities, and paid for the Skilled Worker Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card for those workers who had existing qualifications.

UCATT obtained funding through Scottish Union Learning to deliver two IOSH Working Safely courses for two groups of 10 labourers. This course equipped learners with general health and safety knowledge around areas such as occupational health, fire prevention and working at heights. Without this qualification, learners would not have been able to obtain the Labourer CSCS card. The Council ensured paid release, onsite facilities and paid for the cost of the card.

Scottish Union Learning is part of the STUC and was launched in May 2008. Scottish Union Learning works in partnership with unions to drive forward trade union-led learning in Scotland and administers the Learning Fund and Development Funds, which are supported by the Scottish Government.

Scottish Union Learning supports trade unions in accessing skills and lifelong learning opportunities for their members that contribute to collective prosperity, fairness and equality, for workers across Scotland.

Union Learning Representatives help union members get access to training, new skills and personal development. They liaise directly with fellow workers, employers and training providers to identify a range of learning opportunities and make them available to the workforce. Unions and Union Learning Reps provide learning and skills support to many of the 600,000 trade unionists in Scotland who are affiliated to the STUC.

 

For further information please contact:

Jennifer Payne, Marketing Officer

Scottish Union Learning

Tel: 0141 337 8130

Email: jpayne@stuc.org.uk

 

Photo L-R: Michael Conroy (UCATT), John Noble (Aberdeen City Council), Jamie Hepburn MSP, Mark Fordyce, John Dunbar, Scot Myles, Raymond Sim, Roger Chamberlain, James Aitken, Councillor Neil Cooney

Credit: Norman Adams - Aberdeen City Council

Loading