The STUC celebrates a new decade of learning opportunities with The Open University for 580,000 Scottish workers

Today (Thursday, 14 December) the Scottish TUC and The Open University in Scotland celebrate 10 years of partnership at the Scottish Trades Union Centre in Glasgow.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in 2007 between the STUC and The Open University in Scotland. Today’s event aims to celebrate the partnership, and provide an opportunity for union reps to increase their awareness of informal and formal learning opportunities through The Open University. They will be introduced to new ways of learning, with real workplace examples, and explore what The Open University offers and how this will meet the learning needs of union members in the future.

STUC General Secretary Grahame Smith said:

“The last 10 years have seen the STUC and the OU successfully working together to promote new learning opportunities for working people across Scotland. In a changing learning and skills environment, it is vital that we continuously review how we work. This event is an opportunity to both celebrate past successes and renew our commitment to working together in the future, through Scottish Union Learning, to serve the interests of union members.”

Marie Hendry, Depute Director (External Engagements and Partnerships) at The Open University in Scotland, said:

“We are really happy to be celebrating a decade of collaboration with the STUC and Scottish Union Learning. It is through this joint commitment that more people have been able to upskill and return to learning while still in work. Three quarters of all OU students work full or part-time and our flexible courses make it easier for people from all backgrounds who have busy lives to access learning. Through working with our partners, like the STUC and its affiliated unions, we have been able to offer this in different workplace settings. We look forward to another ten years of working together.”

ENDS

For further details: Jennifer Payne, Marketing Officer, Scottish Union Learning, at jpayne@stuc.org.uk.