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Scottish Union Learning Highlands & Islands ULR Conference 2011

Union Learning: Shaping a Better Way

The 4th Scottish Union Learning Highlands and Islands ULR Conference “Union Learning: Shaping a Better Way” took place on Friday, 10th June in Eden Court in Inverness. The Conference, funded through the European Social Fund, was aimed at Highlands and Islands ULRs and union members interested in union learning.

The day kicked off with an optional ‘Early Birds Breakfast Briefing’ for those delegates who like an early start! The briefing was led by Philippa Clark, UNISON, and Andrew Gardner, ASLEF, who provided information on how unions can successfully engage with employers through the collective bargaining process to establish learning agreements. The Conference formally opened with words of welcome from Conference Chair, Sylvia O’Grady. Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary, and Stephen Boyd, STUC Assistant Secretary, then delivered a conference address and interactive session, involving a quiz and a Q&A on the STUC’s Better Way campaign.

After a short break, delegates participated in two out of three workshops:

Ready, Study, Go!
Belinda Kennedy, Communities Development Officer, North Forum
This workshop looked at Ready Study Go, a pre-access learning programme designed to equip adults with the confidence and skills to progress to further or higher education. Scottish Union Learning will be offering a Ready Steady Go pilot to unions in the Highlands & Islands in the near future and the workshop offered delegates some information about what is involved in it.

Having Skills and using them: from Workplace Learning to better Skills Utilisation
Professor Patricia Findlay, University of Stathclyde
Workplace learning can improve workers’ skills, but are these new skills being used in the workplace? In this workshop, delegates were asked to think about why trade unions might be concerned with how skills are used. As well explaining what skills utilisation is, delegates also considered the role trade unions/ULRs can play in developing skills utilisation in their workplaces, highlighting three successful union-led skills utilisation projects involving fridges, boats and trains!

Supporting People Facing Redundancy
Vivien Stellman, Skills Development Scotland
This workshop looked at how ULRs can support workers who may be facing redundancy and the role of Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE), the redundancy initiative that provides skills development and employability support for people affected by redundancy. The workshop also considered the role of PACE to both workers choosing voluntary severance/ early retirement and compulsory redundancies.

The Conference then concluded with lunch and a networking session. A total of 55 participated in the conference with representation from the following unions; ASLEF; BECTU; CWU; EIS; GMB; PROSPECT; PCS; RMT; TSSA; UCATT; UNISON; UNITE and UCU. Overall, feedback from delegates on the Conference was very positive.