unionlearn - Birmingham University signs an agreement to work in partnership with unions on learning



	Home	Courses\|Discussions\|Email alerts\|Events
	Negotiating learning agreements
	Union learning reps\|Negotiating learning agreements\|Model agreement Supporting Learners (IAG)\|Working with providers\|Skills for Life\|Union Learning Fund\|U-Net\|Learning and organising\|Learning & skills initiatives\|Information Communication Technology\|Equality and diversity\| Add a comment to the discussion. See all discussion topics. Find related Negotiating learning agreements training courses. See all courses. Union Learning Representatives South East Network Meetings Skills and Recovery the way forward - unionlearn Conference Subject Search term Advanced search We can alert you by email about anything new in your chosen subjects. Register your interests now.	Birmingham University signs an agreement to work in partnership with unions on learning The signing of a learning agreement and skills pledge in partnership with Birmingham University Hospitality and Accommodation Services (HAS) and the unions UNISON and Unite is ground breaking in the higher education sector. It will open the door to learning and skills for people who may not previously have accessed learning opportunities, and possibly for a variety of reasons. The agreement will give non-academic, support staff an opportunity to move on to further and higher education, and its importance is even more significant in the current economic climate. It signifies that learning and the development of skills should be open to all staff, regardless of their previous achievements, academic or otherwise. The Learning Agreement highlights the importance of the role of Union Learning Representatives (ULRs) their advice and guidance to prospective learners, and how they can best work with the University to create a supportive network for the acquisition of skills and learning for all. The ULRs Marian Jordan (UNISON) and Niki Constantinou (Unite) drove this initiative with the support of Regional Learning Organisers Gurdeep Singh (UNISON) and Ian Bayford (Unite) working as a team with HAS manager Sue Simpson to negotiate the best agreement for the union members. It is hoped that this will provide added motivation and impetus to trade union colleagues in other universities and colleges to use the learning agenda as a core organising, recruitment and bargaining tool. Matt Raine, UNISON Branch Secretary commented 'As a branch we are proud to be part of this initiative, as supporting skills and training of staff is at the heart of what we do as a modern union' Sue McLaren, acting director, Hospitality and Accommodation Services added, 'HAS are delighted to sign this agreement which is a culmination of a considerable amount of hard work between our Union colleagues and HAS. We look forward to continuing our learning and development journey with the support of our Union colleagues'. Briefing document (400 words) issued 19 Feb 2009 top of page Email this page to a colleague Minister impressed by Sefton MBC's skills partnership 16 September 2009 Barry Sheerman MP sees Centrebus Ltd sign National Learning Agreement and Skills Pledge at Huddersfield Bus Company 31 October 2008 Fire fighters in Gloucestershire are to sign a learning agreement with their employers. 8 May 2008
	unionlearn Congress House Great Russell Street London WC1B 3LS Telephone 020 7079 6920 Fax 020 7079 6921 Email ulweb@tuc.org.uk Further contacts \| About us