• TUC learndirect centres - what they offer
• What about accreditation?
• Why learn with the unions?
• What can union learning representatives do?
• What to do next?

TUC learndirect centres - what they offer

The TUC and unions are setting up a network of new learning centres in:

• Trade Union studies centres in colleges
• union offices and colleges
• workplaces

These centres will offer hundreds of courses - mostly on-line for trade union learners. Whether people want to get web-wise and use the internet for information, improve their skills to get a better job or promotion, or learn purely for enjoyment, our centres have something to offer everyone at work.

Some of the most popular courses are likely to be:

• IT courses - some for absolute beginners, others that are more advanced and can lead to qualifications
• Essential skills courses - report-writing, communications, spelling, numeracy and making presentations.

There will be plenty of others to choose from too!

Courses can be very short - taster or bite-size, or longer programmes that learners can work through at their own pace.

Contact a unionlearn representative in your area for more information.

What about accreditation?

This will be up to the learners. We will make arrangements with a partner college so that learners can get accreditation if they want to - we find most trade union learners want the benefits that accreditation brings.

Why learn with the unions?

There are lots of learndirect* centres up and down the country - in libraries, community centres, supermarkets, football grounds and members are encouraged to use the centre that is best for them.

We are setting up our own centres because we want to offer a special service to members where they can learn together with the help and support of their union and the TUC.

If you come to a TUC learndirect centre, we guarantee that:

• you will be able to learn with other trade union members
• you will either have a trade union tutor of a union learning representative to support you
• if there are any problems, we will help to sort them out
• we will make sure you get the advice and help you need to move from one course to anther and make progress

What can union learning representatives do?

A trained learning representative will:

• give initial information and advice on learning
• know what learndirect is and how to get the best out of it
• work with employers and encourage them to give support
• help learners to work out what to do next

If you are interested in becoming a union learning representative contact your union or email unionlearn@tuc.org.uk

What to do next?

To find your nearest TU learndirect centre click here.

You can find more information about learndirect by visiting www.learndirect.co.uk or by calling the learndirect helpline 0800 101 901.

If you would like to go on a learndirect course, or arrange for your members, contact: 0191 232 3175 hubsupport@tuc.org.uk

If you are a union officer/senior representative/learning representative and want to find out how you could set up a centre at your workplace contact: kschofield@tuc.org.uk

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