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

Scottish Union Learning in the Highlands & Islands is made up of three team members: Pam Urquhart, Development Officer, Vicky King, Administrator and Cheryl Williams, ESF Admin Assistant. Pam, Vicky and Cheryl are based in the UNISON Building at 53 Shore Street in Inverness. Scottish Union Learning in the Highlands & Islands was previously known as both the STUC Lifelong Learning Unit and the STUC Skills & Lifelong Learning Team. Funding for Scottish Union Learning in the Highlands & Islands has been secured from the Scottish Government until March 2011. A key priority of Scottish Union Learning in the Highlands & Island is to support trade union members and ULRs in the region with the aim of encouraging and helping workers based in the area to develop their learning and skills. Some of the main priorities for Scottish Union Learning in the Highlands & Islands are to:

• Support unions in increasing the number of Highlands & Islands ULRs.

• Increase the number of local cross union ULR forums in the Highlands & Islands, establish a pan Highlands & Islands ULR network and organise the annual Scottish Union Learning Highlands & Islands ULR Conference.

• Assist in the development and expansion of a trade union education infrastructure in the Highlands & Islands.

• Support unions, including those with SULF activity in the area, to increase the number of union members in the Highlands & Islands who access learning and skills opportunities.

• Co-ordinate and develop good practice models of cross union working to overcome potential barriers, such as remoteness and low density population, which characterise the region.

• Work in partnership with trade unions, local colleges, learning centres and other key partners to develop union led learning across the Highlands & Islands.

• Ensure the needs of the Highlands & Islands are incorporated in the development of Scottish Union Learning.