Learning & Skills: Building, Growing and Winning

Development Fund Case Study: Public & Commercial Services Union (PCS)

PCS recruited a new Learning Organiser, Gail Bell, in early 2025. With 25 years of experience as a ULR, Gail has ensured the PCS programme has continued to grow. PCS branches across devolved and reserved workplaces invited the Learning Organiser to address branch meetings to speak about the impact that union-led learning can have on workers, workplaces and union branches. Branches engaged with members and elected new ULRs who were subsequently trained through the PCS Academy. The increase in the number of ULRs led to a demand to continue to build and enhance the PCS ULR Network, which is now a vibrant and impactful network which influences the direction and delivery of the PCS learning programme.

United Workplaces: Uniting workplaces through learning

Scottish Union Learning organised a four-day training programme, ‘United Workplaces: Uniting workplaces through learning’, which was open to Project Workers/Union Learning Organisers. The programme also welcomed local Trades Councils, building on work undertaken with the Trades Councils in Aberdeen, Dundee, Fife and Glasgow earlier this year. A second programme was organised to provide ULR developmental training on Tackling Harmful Narratives was delivered by Show Racism the Red Card at the Spring 2026 iteration of Union Learning Development Days. The training was further supplemented by Trades Councils delivering a United Workplaces session, where they spoke about local concerns.

EIS learning rep receives Helen Dowie Award for championing inclusive education

The recipient of the Helen Dowie Award: Union Learning Rep of the Year 2026 is Liz Russell, Union Learning Rep (ULR) with EIS. 

Liz is a secondary teacher of English employed by Glasgow City Council, an active member of EIS Glasgow’s Local Association, and an EIS Learning Representative. In her role as a teacher in Glasgow’s virtual school and hospital education service, Liz is faced with limited facility time. However, she strives to ensure EIS members in the Glasgow Local Association have meaningful union-led opportunities to develop their professional learning. 

Learner of the Year 2026 awarded to BECTU member and sustainability pioneer

The recipient of the Scottish Union Learning Learner of the Year Award 2026 is Sara Hamilton, a member of Bectu (a sector of Prospect). 

Trade union-led learning has the power to change lives in ways that extend far beyond the completion of any single course. At its best, it provides individuals with the confidence, support, and skills they need to unlock new career pathways, transform their working lives, and inspire others. Few journeys illustrate this more clearly than the learning path taken by Sara Hamilton, whose determination, resilience, and commitment to her craft make her an outstanding candidate for this award.