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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 .) The aim of the conference was to emphasise the importance of higher level skills to unions and employers. Trade unions have an important function in helping to identify and overcome a number of barriers to higher level learning such as knowing what is on offer, what funding is available and who are the appropriate providers. Union learning representatives and other delegates attending were told by unionlearn's union development manager, Judith Swift, that 'With a third of union learning at level 3 and above there is a thirst amongst trade union members to access higher level learning. Trade unions and union learning reps will play a key part if we are to achieve the target of 1.9 million more people achieving level 3 by 2020 set out in Lord Leitch's review, World Class Skills' This message was echoed by Tony Donajdrodski of fdf who stated that ' Unionlearn has a vital role to play in ensuring that workforce development and workplace learning at levels 4 and above develop quickly and effectively. The recently-signed Memorandum of Understanding between unionlearn and fdf is an acknowledgment of this. We look forward to developing our partnership with you, through events like this and through other collaborations to promote foundation degrees' Celia Brigg of the NWUA added 'It is critical for the economy of the North West region that we increase the skills of the existing workforce and higher education is key to achieving this. The Partnership between HE* and the unions through unionlearn is key to accessing and encouraging the current workforce to undertake higher level skills training for their own benefit and that of their organisations.' For further information on accessing higher education through the trade union route, you can contact; Pete Bury Aimhigher* Project Worker Tel: 0161 445 0077 (Office) 0771753163 (Mobile). email: pbury@tuc.org.uk Case studies and projects (400 words) issued 20 Mar 2008 |
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unionlearn Telephone 020 7079 6920 |
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