Equality and diversity
Equality and diversity
There is a huge gap between the educational haves and have-nots and TUC and union work seeks to bridge the gap and provide opportunities for those who have had least before, especially those with basic skills difficulties.
Some groups of workers have extra difficulty accessing learning through work - part time, shift workers, home workers and freelance workers for example. Others have jobs without a base or obvious focus for learning activity - construction workers, drivers, for example. Unions are looking at these groups and how to assist them.
As women workers overall are still poorly paid compared with men access to training - whether at basic or higher levels - can open doors for them. Similarly black and Asian workers are less likely to benefit from opportunities and gain promotion. Workers with disabilities are already disadvantaged in the workforce and difficulties associated with access to learning can make things worse. There are many workers for whom English is a second language.
1 February 2012
As 13 Million Miss out on Training, TUC Deputy General Secretary says “Make Britain more equal - Let Workers Learn”
Unionlearn, the TUC's learning and skills organisation, today condemned shocking statistics from the UK Employer Skills Survey( ), showing that 41% of UK employers did not train any of their staff in 2011, and 46% of UK employees (around 13 million) did not receive any training during 2011. Frances O'Grady, TUC Deputy General Secretary called on employers to ensure that those from minorities and the disadvantaged, in particular, don't miss out on training opportunities in the workplace. Highlighting the fact that it is often the most qualified employees at the top end of the scale who access training opportunities, she called for employers to make sure that those who needed training were able to access it.
6 September 2011
TUC's unionlearn and Versa call on employers to work with unions to increase apprenticeships among black and minority ethnic communities
Unionlearn, the TUC's learning and skills organisation, and Versa Professional Services Ltd today called upon employers to work with trade unions to increase black and minority ethnic communities' participation rates in apprenticeships. At an event held at Congress House, discussion will focus around what employers, the Government and unions can do to encourage members of BME communities to apply for apprenticeships.
23 September 2010
Northern TUC welcomes a 'hands on' approach to the new Equality Act
As the new Equality Act comes into force on October 1st, the Northern TUC held a day-long union briefing session to an audience of over 125 trade unionists and workplace reps yesterday (Tuesday 21st September) at the Centre for Life, Newcastle, to ensure workplaces and workers across the region are fully aware of their new rights and obligations
Northern
10 September 2010
Hard hats & hair driers: the apprentices gender gap scandal
A new report on apprentices & pay
10 May 2010
Women working in Science, Engineering, Technology and the Built Environment
Women working in science, engineering, technology and the built environment (known as SET) often face additional barriers at work. These are sectors where women are normally in a minority, especially at senior levels. They may feel isolated and highly visible. The UKRC offers information, advice and support to women working in SET at any stage in their careers.
17 March 2010
Unionlearn promotes Equality for All at Conference in Bolton
Two hundred delegates gathered at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton to hear the positive impact unions are having by introducing their members to training and learning and increasing equality in the workplace. The conference at the Devere Whites hotel on March 17, heard how unionlearn are supporting projects across the region on issues such as; older workers; Mental Health in the workplace; The gender pay gap; Workplace cohesion; LGBT: Issues in the workplace; Development of a Cultural Awareness Toolkit
North West
26 October 2009
Marie scoops Trade Union's Equality for All Award
Marie Pearson, HMRC Learning Co-ordinator with The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) has won this year's Trade Union Equality for All Award at the North East Equality Awards held on Friday 23rd October 2009 at The Gateshead Hilton Hotel.
Northern
12 May 2009
Cumbria unions step up for Union Friday
On the 15th May (Union Friday) the local trade unions in Cumbria are organising a rally in Carlisle to encourage trade union members to use their vote in the Euro and local elections. The TUC are helping to host a rally between 12.30 and 13.30pm on Union Friday around the bandstand in Carlisle's city centre.
Northern
24 April 2009
Nearly a third of Black and Asian workers offered no training
As the annual Black Workers' Conference opens in Scarborough today (Friday 24th), the TUC is calling for more training opportunities for Black and Asian workers.
26 March 2009
Black and Asian learners reap big benefits from union learning, reveals Ofsted
Black and Asian learners are reaping big rewards from trade union-led learning at rates which are well above the national average, reveals a new report from Ofsted (the Government's education standards watchdog). In the report on U-Net, part of unionlearn, the TUC's learning and skills organization, Ofsted found that success rates for Black learners have risen from 54% in 2007/08 to 81.8% and for Asian learners from 70.2% to 82.1% a significant improvement on the national average. The report also found that there is a ‘strong ethos to widen participation and promote social inclusion' and that ‘equality of opportunity is good'.
