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TUC Education UpdateMay 2009 Issue Welcome to the May edition of TUC Education Update, which is mailed three times a year to union education officers, TUC course co-ordinators and tutors, and everyone with an interest in union education and training, with news and views from TUC Education. The Update is also available as an e-bulletin, register via the TUC unionlearn* website at www.unionlearn.org.uk/register or www.unionlearn.org.uk/changedetails Over 6,000 people have subscribed to the Update, receiving up to date news as soon as it is published.
22,000 union learning reps trainedJoanna Szmit, a recently trained union learning rep for Unite, and a bus driver at Metroline in London was chosen to represent the 22,000 ULRs that have been trained by unionlearn TUC Education John Denham, MP, Secretary of State for DIUS made an award to Joanna at a reception in Westminster.  L -R: Metroline Chief Operating Officer Sean O'Shea , unionlearn Director Liz Smith, Secretary of State for DIUS John Denham, MP, Metroline bus driver Joanna Szmit, Deputy General Secretary Frances O'Grady. © Jess Hurd/reportdigital.co.uk Joanna came over from Poland five years ago and recently became a ULR* at her garage in Perivale. She is a single mother but also finds time to support colleagues at her bus garage in furthering their learning ambitions and increasing their skills. She is also a vital link to fellow Poles at Metroline and feels she has a real role in helping to create and maintain social cohesion. Her mother Ewa also drives buses at Metroline. The young Polish woman is typical of the new cohort of younger people, women and ethnic minorities who are volunteering to become union learning reps. Metroline has firmly embraced learning in the workplace with its Learning on the Move project, which includes a fully-equipped learning centre in a double decker bus and several other learning centres at bus garages throughout London. Rt Hon John Denham MP, Secretary of State DIUS said: 'My warmest congratulations to the unions on successfully carrying through this training programme. With their real-life experience and credibility union learning reps are your best friends in the workplace - colleagues who can advise, support and even coerce you into doing the right thing. This is a fantastic return on the Government's investment in union learning. Keep up the good work and train many more.' Dr Jan Mockrzycki, Vice Chairman, Federation of Poles in Great Britain said: 'This wonderful recognition of Joanna's hard work is a real sign of how Poles have integrated and contributed to British society. Taking on a volunteer role like this, to help not just her fellow Poles, but other employees at Metroline is fantastic, and I congratulate her and her union Unite on receiving this award.' Frances O'Grady, TUC Deputy General Secretary said: 'I am extremely proud of all the union learning reps who have given their time, effort and enthusiasm to help others to engage with learning. Joanna is a fine representative of how ULRs can help people in the workplace to learn, progress and change their lives. This is a great example of what the trade union movement can do to fight social inequality, through empowering workers to aspire to the best.' Joanna Szmit, Unite ULR, Metroline said: 'I'm very happy and very proud to represent the 22,000 trained ULRs. When I came here from Poland I couldn't believe I'd be doing this. But with the support of my union and fellow ULRs, I have, like many others, gained new and valuable skills.'  Joanna Smith representing the 22,000 trained ULRs © Jess Hurd/reportdigital.co.uk Women officers' summer schoolThe fifth annual Union Women Professionals' Summer School will take place again in London this year. Last year's summer school was a real success, involving women from many unions in work on trade union priorities in a supportive classroom setting. This year's course will have particular focus on organising, leadership and women's participation in the work of unions. Guest speakers, visits and social events will make for a fun and hard-working week. The course is for all women union officers, whether newly appointed or with substantial experience. This is a residential course and will be held in London between 29th June and 3rd July. Topics covered will include essential knowledge in these areas:
 Skills that will be developed on the course include:
There is a fee of £700 for this course, to cover residential and additional course costs. There is a small discretionary budget available for women officers who have childcare responsibilities and for whom the timetable and curriculum of the summer school creates particular problems. Further information and an application form can be obtained from Martin Hegarty, details below. Workers' Memorial DayA workers memorial event was held at the Trade Union Studies Centre at Bridgend College, South Wales. Speakers included Mark Jones, the Principal of the College, Martin Mansfield, General Secretary WTUC, Vaughan Gething, Thompsons Solicitors (also President of Wales TUC this year) and Terry Rose, Director of HSE Wales. A plaque was presented to the centre in memory of local worker Daniel Dennis who was just 18 years old and in his first week at work when he fell through a roof and was killed. The plaque was also dedicated to all those workers who have lost their lives at work. Also in attendance was Carwyn Jones, Assembly Member for Bridgend and the parents of Daniel Dennis. Liz SmithLiz Smith, unionlearn Director, will be retiring from the TUC in July 2009. Liz has been with the TUC for 20 years and was a TUC Education tutor for some years before that. She was REO for the North West for almost ten years and played a key role in almost all major developments in TUC Education, TUC Learning Services and subsequently unionlearn. She'll be really missed by all of us in trade union education.
Liz said: ' This was a very hard decision to take. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time, especially having the chance to establish unionlearn and provide the leadership for it over the last three and a half years. I know I will be leaving unionlearn in good hands and I am very grateful to all those in TUC Education, and our dedicated band of tutors in particular, for all their hard work and support." Learning and careers advicelineNeed advice on careers and learning? The unionlearn advice line is a free, impartial, confidential service which helps people to develop new skills, improve their job prospects or change jobs. This service is for all unionlearn and union staff, trade union education tutors, union representatives and union members. Telephone: 08000 92 91 90 What's new?Look out for:
 Coming soonNew Workbook on the environment Who to contactRegional Harry Cunningham - REO in Scotland Pete Holland - REO in the North West Julie Cook - REO in Wales Marie Hughes - REO in the South West Trevor Sargison - REO in Yorks & Humber Ian West - REO in Northern region Pete Try - REO in East& West Midlands Rob Hancock - REO in Southern & Eastern Angela Perry - REO in Southern & Eastern Clare Moore - Northern Ireland ICTU Education & Training Officer National Liz Rees - National Trade Union Education Manager Jackie Williams - Education & Training Officer Martin Hegarty - Education & Training Officer Craig Hawkins - Online Learning Officer Newsletter (1,500 words) issued 14 May 2009  TUC Education in Yorkshire and the Humber region TUC Education European Review Issue 51 Course updates for health and safety reps |
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