Learner of the Year Award 2024

The recipient for the STUC Scottish Union Learning Learner of the Year Award 2024 was RMT member Ross Henderson. 

The annual award, presented by First Minister Humza Yousaf at the 2024 STUC Congress in Dundee on 16th April, celebrates the achievements of Scotland’s trade unionist workplace learners. This year the award was sponsored by TUC Education in Scotland.

After joining Scotrail as a Customer Service apprentice, just after lockdown had ended in 2020, Ross undertook a range of new union-provided courses including one on deaf awareness. This is particularly important given the noisy environment often found in major train stations.

Learner of the Year Award 2023

The recipient of the 2023 Learner of the Year Award was Fadzai Mwakutuya, a member of the Scottish Artists Union (SAU).

Artist and union activist, Fadzai Mwakutuya, received the Scottish Union Learning Learner of the Year Award at the STUC Annual Congress in Dundee. The award recognised Fadzai’s achievements in undertaking SAU learning courses, as well as her integral role in co-founding the SAU’s Intersectional Subgroup. Fadzai has represented the SAU on STUC business, such as attending the Black Workers’ Conference, and the Women’s Weekend School. The award was presented by First Minister Humza Yousaf. This year the award was sponsored by The Open University in Scotland.

Learner of the Year 2022

The recipient of the 2022 Learner of the Year Award was Joan Tasker, a member of Unite the Union.

The Scottish Trades Union Congress, which held its annual Congress in Aberdeen, awarded Joan with Learner of the year, recognising her achievements in union learning within the past year. SAMH worker Joan, who documented her struggle with dyslexia, has completed over 50 online learning courses through Unite the Union’s union learning programme. The award was presented by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Learner of the Year Award 2020

The recipient of the 2020 Learner of the Year Award was Barry Young, a member of Unite the Union.

Barry, who works in Kilmarnock as a painter in Housing Asset Services for East Ayrshire Council, received the 10^th Annual Learner of the Year Award from the STUC at the Scottish Union Learning Everyday Skills Conference, which took place online on 25 February 2021. The Award was presented by Wendy Burton, Director of Scottish Union Learning.

Barry was chosen as 2020 Learner of the Year for his commitment both as a learner and as an advocate for suicide prevention and mental health awareness. His learning journey began when he was elected as a workplace ULR, and subsequently Shop Steward and Health & Safety rep.