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

Everyday Skills

What are "Everyday Skills"?

"Everyday Skills" describes a wide range of skills required in the workplace and at home. Some examples include completing rotas and timesheets, reading customer orders, helping kids with their homework, writing letters, and understanding written and verbal job instructions.

Who benefits from Everyday Skills?

We can all benefit from improving our everyday skills. If we don't use our skills regularly we risk losing them. Many people have left school with various skills and qualifications but have not used them since; their skills have, therefore, become 'rusty' over a period of time and brushing up on their everyday skills would help them to become more confident in what they do at work and at home. In addition, there are many migrant workers in Scotland who need to understand important information, like health and safety notices, and would benefit greatly from learning and/or improving their language skills. Improved Everyday Skills may also motivate learners to take up other learning opportunities, which can lead to higher skilled and higher paid jobs.

There are also learners who left school without obtaining these skills. This could be due to a variety of reasons; perhaps they had health or family issues and did not attend school regularly; maybe they have dyslexia or other learning difficulties which were not recognised at school. Giving people opportunities to learn as adults enables them to take greater control over their lives.

How are Everyday Skills opportunities accessed?

There are many ways to access Everyday Skills opportunities across Scotland. Trade Unions can make use of a range of support, including Local Authority Community Learning & Development Partnerships and specialist organisations such as the Workers' Educational Association. In addition, some unions are developing their own workplace literacy tutor assistants.

For further information on Everyday Skills, contact:
Wendy Burton
Development Officer - Everyday Skills
Scottish Union Learning
333 Woodlands Road
Glasgow, G3 6NG
Tel: 0141 337 8121
Fax: 0141 337 8101
or
send an Email

Scottish Union Learning Review of Workplace Literacies

Scottish Union Learning is concerned about changes in adult literacies provision, particularly workplace literacies. It has been brought to our attention that due to changes in local authority funding, some providers are no longer able to deliver workplace literacies (including ESOL), and others are reducing the amount of support they can provide. This could have a major impact on our learners, and we are therefore conducting a review of current workplace literacies provision throughout Scotland.

We would be grateful if you could take a few moments to complete the following questions. This proforma can be completed by anyone involved in adult literacies provision (tutors, development workers, managers etc).

Download
Workplace Literacies Review

Please return this form by email to Wendy Burton by 18 January 2010.