Organising Union Learning: Developing Workforce Skills

Trade union members from across Scotland will come together on Tuesday, 8 November 2016, at the Marriott Hotel in Glasgow, to attend the 9^th Annual Scottish Union Learning Conference. The theme of the Conference will be, ‘Organising Union Learning: Developing Workforce Skills’. This national conference will bring together 150 representatives from 24 trade unions.

The Conference will be addressed by Jamie Hepburn MSP, Minister for Employability and Training, and Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary. The Minister will also present the 6^th Annual STUC Learner of the Year Award. Other invited speakers will include Katie Hutton from Skills Development Scotland and Frances Higson, Filmmaker.

Delegates will have opportunities to discuss the role of union learning in developing workforce skills through participation in workshops that focus on organising union learning, equality and learning, digital unions, and organising learning for young and precarious workers.

Other key points on the day will include:

 

• Panel Session to share good practice in organising learning;
• Speech from Julie Atkinson, recipient of the 2016 STUC Helen Dowie Award for Lifelong Learning; and
• Speech from Andrea Bradley, Assistant Secretary, EIS, on Scott Mowat, recipient of the 2016 STUC Equality Award.

 

Wendy Burton, Director of Scottish Union Learning, said:

“The annual Scottish Union Learning Conference is a great opportunity for Union Learning Reps from all over Scotland to explore issues around workplace learning and skills, and to share good practice. This year’s Conference will demonstrate some of the incredible work trade unions undertake in organising learning, and developing the skills of Scotland’s workforce.”

Minister for Employability and Training, Jamie Hepburn MSP, said:

“Trade unions play a vital role in up-skilling our workforce through workplace learning and Scottish Union Learning. The Scottish Government is pleased to continue supporting this programme with almost £2.3 million this financial year. This will support around 3,000 learners throughout Scotland on courses ranging from Women in Leadership to Social Media and Social Networking. Workplace learning is fundamental to employees having an opportunity to achieve, which can lead to greater security both inside and outside the workplace.”

ENDS

Notes for editors

 

• 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.
• 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.
• The Scottish Union Learning Conference is supported by key partners such as the Scottish Qualifications Authority and Skills Development Scotland.
• 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.

 

For further information please contact:

Jennifer Payne, Marketing Officer,

Scottish Union Learning

Tel: 0141 337 8130

Email: jpayne@stuc.org.uk