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

Scottish Union Learning Everyday Skills Event 2010

The 2nd Scottish Union Learning Everyday Skills Event took place on 25th February in the Teacher Building in Glasgow. Delegates participated in themed sessions on issues related to workplace learning, literacy and numeracy in the current Scottish economy. Over 60 delegates travelled from across Scotland despite adverse weather conditions, representing 12 trade unions from all sectors.

Guest speakers this year were Frances Bradley, Adult Literacy and Numeracy Co-ordinator, Culture and Sport Glasgow, and Trevor Shanahan, ULF National Manager, Fire Brigades Union.

Delegates attended four workshops that were designed around the theme of the day, “Improving Everyday Skills in the Current Economic Climate”. “Exploring employability skills: retaining and sustaining employment through learning” was facilitated by Sue Bates, Adult Learning Solutions. During this session, participants looked at the full range of skills that contribute to getting employed and staying employed in the current economic climate. Participants also identified strategies for maximising employee participation in learning, including literacy and numeracy.

“Making the most of AccessApps” was facilitated by Craig Mill, Regional Support Centre NE, Telford College. This session focused on a demonstration of the awardwinning AccessApps, a suite of over 50 portable open source and freeware applications to support learning such as planning and organisation, reading and writing and much more. AccessApps can be downloaded online at http://www.rscne- scotland.ac.uk/eduapps/accessapps. php.

“Financial Literacy: Its Impact and Roles for Union Learning Reps” was facilitated by David Howie, Workers’ Educational Association. This session helped delegates understand more about Financial Literacy and how it affects workers in all sectors. Participants looked at the role that unions and ULRs can play in supporting members to better understand how best to use their money and how to access the wide variety of financial information and advice that is available.

“Understanding the Glasgow dialect!” was facilitated by Jimmy Lillis, Unite and Robert Smieja, Unite. When migrant workers come to Glasgow, they often find that the local dialect is difficult to understand. This session explored how unions can tackle this issue, and how learning opportunities can become accessible to all.

Sylvia O’Grady, Scottish Union Learning Manager, said, “In the current economic climate trade unions in Scotland are rising to meet the additional challenges facing the workforce. Raising the profile of everyday skills issues, through events like this, will help enable trade unions and Union Learning Reps provide better support to the workers who need workplace learning opportunities the most.”

Feedback from the Event was exceptional this year, and delegates have asked for more events like this one to run in the future. One ULR said, “[The Event] was very well presented and gave new information to me.” Another remarked, “It was all worthwhile and educational.”

The next Everyday Skills Event will take place on 24 February 2011.

For more information on the Scottish Union Learning Everyday Skills Event, 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