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.

ULRs have continued to undertake developmental opportunities through the Scottish Union Learning Conference, SUL-organised Union Learning Development Days, and PCS Regional Learning Meetings. The Learning Organiser has also supported the development of ULRs through the Fair Work, Leadership and Equality Programme and the new PCS Black Workers Network. PCS has ensured that ULRs have release to attend additional and ongoing training and development opportunities through attending the Union Learning Development Days, Everyday Skills Event, and the annual Scottish Union Learning Conference.

Wendy Ross, PCS ULR said, ‘I thoroughly enjoyed the development days and learning conference. I found the workshops and presentations very useful and have used these skills learned in my role as a ULR. These training opportunities provide us with the opportunity to meet other ULRs and learn from their experience’.

ULRs have increased workplace visibility through speaking directly to members, developing workplace newsletters, and delivering learning programmes. Feedback from branches and members has been positive with demand for courses continuing to grow across workplaces and branches. ULRs negotiate paid release for learners to undertake training. The Learning Organiser is now working with ULRs and branches to assess current Learning Agreements with employers with a view to updating these local agreements.

On reflecting upon the work undertaken over the year, Gail said, ‘It has been a busy year for PCS Union Learning. We are expanding our network of new ULRs, creating a diverse group of reps. We have ensured opportunities to share good practice both within PCS and with our sister unions through the additional developmental opportunities organised by SUL’.