Glasgow upholsterer awarded Learner of the Year

The recipient for the Scottish Union Learning Learner of the Year Award 2025 was Sean Paul Gracie, a member of the Community trade union.

The annual award, presented by First Minister of Scotland John Swinney and STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer at the 2025 STUC Congress in Dundee on 28^th April, celebrates the achievements of Scotland’s trade unionist workplace learners. This year the award was sponsored by TUC Education in Scotland.

Sean Paul, who works for Royal Strathclyde Blindcraft Industries (RSBi), seized the top prize after completing literacy, numeracy and manufacturing courses.

Money Advice Scotland - June Update

Money Advice Scotland’s events schedule for June is listed below. All sessions are free of charge. 

Money Advice Scotland is now on TikTok! View their account here. You can also keep up to date with Money Advice Scotland news and events through their website, Eventbrite page and by subscribing to their newsletter.

• June events

  • 3rd - Wellbeing Training: Mastering the Psychological Selfie
  • 5th - Wellbeing Training: Building Empowerment and Resilience through Transactional Analysis (Intensive Driving Course
  • 9th - An introduction to Financial Wellbeing: Training for Third Sector Practitioners
  • 18th - Wellbeing Training: Protecting Your Wellbeing
  • 19th - Financial Fitness: Credit and Credit Reports Cardio*
  • 19th - Wellbeing Training - Stress Management
  • 25th - Wellbeing Training - A Guide to Managing Team Dynamics through Transactional Analysis Drivers (Advanced Driving Course)

*Recordings of previous Financial Fitness sessions can be found here:  www.moneyadvicescotland.org.uk/financial-fitness

Scottish Union Learning Fringe Event 28 April

Scottish Union Learning (SUL) organised a Fringe Event on Monday, 28 April, at the 2025 STUC Congress in Caird Hall, Dundee. The theme was: ‘Developing skills for Union Learning Reps’, with the panel and guests discussing existing good practice and ways to support Union Learning Rep development in the future.

Guests were welcomed by Wendy Burton, Director of SUL, and the event was chaired by Tommy Breslin, Senior Development Officer, SUL. The panel included Gail Bell, Learning Organiser, PCS; Dan Henderson, Learning Organiser, RMT; and Catherine Garvie, Senior Development Officer, Scottish Union Learning. The Event was sponsored by TUC Education Scotland, and was well attended, with guests including Steven Black, member of Unite the Union and recipient of the 2025 STUC Helen Dowie Award for Lifelong Learning, and Sean Paul Gracie, member of Community and recipient of the 2025 Scottish Union Learning Learner of the Year Award.

Trade union cyber security workshops with Digital Skills Education

Digital Skills Education in partnership with Scottish Union Learning and trade unions have delivered a series of AI and Cyber Security workshops for their reps, members, and workers.

The following blogs highlight the content and positive feedback received from participants during these sessions: 

Artists learn to protect their work from AI at trade union workshop

DSE worked with Scottish Artists Union to help artists get to grips with the opportunities and risks of AI in their creative practice.

AI scores with PFA Scotland staff training

During this one-day ‘Introduction to AI tools’ course, DSE showed PFA Scotland staff how they can become skilled, critical, and ethical users of AI apps.

CalMac Apprentices learn to navigate cyber threats

DSE supported RMT Union during their modern apprentices induction week, by teaching CalMac apprentices how to protect their personal accounts and stay safe online.

Staying on track with cyber security training for ScotRail apprentices

In partnership with the RMT Union, DSE ran a personal cyber security course for ScotRail apprentices to demonstrate how to protect their personal accounts and keep themselves safe online.