Learning & skills initiatives
Learning initiatives
For many people work is a good place to learn both in formal learning programmes and through working processes and a culture that encourages informal learning from colleagues. For others work could be a good place to learn but it would need a change in culture and opportunity.
Union learning representatives can work with employers to create and extend opportunities. For vocational training through National Vocational Qualifications and other recognised qualifications and through modern apprenticeships attracting young workers.
They can also make sure there are opportunities for development too - employee development schemes where people can choose their own learning, workplace learning centres offering a choice of provision, and basic skills assessment to make sure everyone has the tools to benefit from study.
Unions will want to make agreements with employers or extend existing ones to make sure initiatives are embedded in the organisation. Investors in People provides a framework which supports learning and development of the workforce.
6 June 2008
First Bus drives ahead with union learning
The First Bus depot at Hayes is today (Friday) celebrating the launch of a union learning centre, run by the company and Unite the union and supported by unionlearn, the TUC's learning and skills organisation. Over 2,000 employees at the Hayes depot will now be able to take advantage of courses run by Uxbridge College to improve their skills. Unite is an active player in the union learning world and has worked with a variety of employers across the country to establish workplace learning centres.
Southern and Eastern
22 May 2008
Learning At Work Day 2008 in the South West
Trade unionists across the South West are celebrating Adult Learners' Week by taking part in activities as diverse as tai chi, defensive driving and pyrotechnics.
South West
9 May 2008
Cheadle MP Mark Hunter sees union learning take off at Manchester Airport
Cheadle MP Mark Hunter will today (Friday 9th May) visit Manchester Airport to see how his constituents and others are improving their skills. Unite the union, together with other site unions and in partnership with employers at Manchester Airport, have set up a learning centre where staff can improve their skills and job opportunities.
North West
1 May 2008
Local MP Dawn Butler joins the Mayor of Brent to open learning centre in Harlesden
Local MP Dawn Butler and Mayor of Brent, Councillor Harshadbhai Patel today (Thursday 1st May) opened a new union learning centre at the Grain d'Or bakery in Harlesden. The learning centre has been established by the BFAWU (Bakers and Allied Food Workers Union) and Grain d'Or with support from unionlearn, the TUC's learning and skills organisation.
Southern and Eastern
15 April 2008
The green green grass of work
The big theme for this year's Learning at Work Day during Adult Learners' Week in May is Sustainable Workplaces. Find out more about how you can make it come alive for new learners.
14 April 2008
What a differnce a day makes
National Learning at Work Day is an annual awareness campaign, promoting and supporting workplace learning events across England. This year LAW Day takes place on 22nd May and is a fantastic opportunity to promote any kind of workplace learning initiative – whether it's well-established or just starting out, and get as many people as possible involved.
Northern
12 April 2008
New Partnership signing between Stoke on Trent College and Unity
A new partnership agreement was signed at Hillcrest House the Unity Head Office in Hanley on Friday 11th April 2008.
Midlands
28 March 2008
South East Learning at Work Day Fund
Learning at Work (LAW) Day takes place on 22nd May 2008 and is a great opportunity to promote a workplace learning initiative. In previous years Union Learning Reps have used it to launch and advertise learning centres, arrange taster sessions or give awards and to promote learning in interesting and imaginative ways.
Southern and Eastern
20 March 2008
North West ULRs' show their enthusiasm for the union route to Higher Education.
Union learning reps have a key role to play in helping members access Higher Education. This was the key message at the showcasing progression in the workplace event held on the 13th March at the Think Lab in the University of Salford. The event was organised by unionlearn NW in partnership with The North West Universities Association (NWUA) and Foundation Degree Forward (fdf.)
17 March 2008
Trade unionists show Solidarity with migrant workers
Unionlearn (the TUC's learning and skills organisation) staff, along with trade unionists from the South West, are visiting Gdansk, Poland as guests of the Polish trade union Solidarity. The multi-union group, who all work with Polish migrant workers will discuss reasons for the recent mass migration and how they can further understand its dynamics. They will gain a deeper understanding of Polish culture, society and customs to better inform their work among Poles in the UK. The three-day trip will also see the group visit the historic shipyards in Gdansk, from where Solidarity began the fight against the Communist system in Poland.
South West
