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

Background

The third STUC Highlands & Islands ULR Conference, ‘Learning on your doorstep” took place on Friday 13th June at Ross County FC, Dingwall. The conference, sponsored by ILA Scotland, was aimed at Highlands & Islands Union Learning Reps, union members interested in becoming a ULR and SULF project workers with project activity in the Highlands & Islands. The main objective of the conference was to provide ULRs with information about local learning providers.

Conference Programme

The morning session of the conference started with words of welcome from Sylvia O’Grady, Lifelong Learning Manager, who chaired the conference. Sylvia was followed by Alan Tissiman, UHI Millennium Institute Head of Recruitment and Business Development, who introduced Round 1 of the UHI Learning Quiz. Delegates were divided into six teams for the quiz (teams were named after islands in the region) with a mix of unions and geographical spread in each team. At the end of round 1 of the quiz, delegates broke into workshop sessions. There were three different workshops: ‘ESOL Learning in the workplace’ by Jim Maguire, Moray Council; ‘WEA Workplace Literacies’ by Judie Halliday, WEA Tutor; and ‘Informal to degree learning on your doorstep (learning centres)’ by Ron Mercer, Chairperson of the Learning Centres Operational Group. Delegates had a choice of attending two workshops out of three. At the end of the workshops, delegates returned to the main conference hall to participate in round 2 of the UHI Learning Quiz.

After lunch the delegates took part in a speed networking session. The main objective of this session was for delegates to find out more information about what local colleges and the WEA Women@Work project could offer them and their members. The speed networking tables were hosted by David Hosey of Inverness College; Andy Clarkson of North Highland College (Caithness); Marlene MacDonald of Sabhal Mor Ostaig (Skye); George Cowie of Moray College (Elgin); Callum Macmillan of Lews College (Western Isles); and Rosemary Mackinnon, Chair of WEA Women@work. Delegates spent 9 minutes at each table finding out what each provider could offer to members, asked questions and left their contact details with those from whom they wanted more information.

The speed networking session was followed by the final round, of the UHI Learning Quiz. A conference address was then delivered by Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary. Grahame’s address provided delegates with an overview of Scottish Union Learning, including its structure and functions, and also provided delegates with a national perspective on learning and skills strategies in Scotland.

Claire Elliot, ILA Partnership Development Officer, spoke to delegates about the changes to the ILA scheme and demonstrated the online registration system which will allow ULRs to register potential learners eligible for an ILA, online. The final session of the conference involved Alan Tissiman of UHI Millennium Institute giving delegates the answers to the quiz questions, and in doing so, providing delegates with information about UHI Millennium Institute. Three out of the six teams tied in first place and in a tie break question the team winners were the Scalpay Team. Sylvia closed the conference with thanks to all the speakers, workshop facilitators and speed networking hosts.