Skills for Life
Skills for Life
Skills for Life are the skills that we all need to be able to do our jobs, run a home, manage our money and enjoy a social life.
That includes the ability to read, write, speak English and use maths.
Unions are pushing these skills to employers as vital for the learning opportunities of workers, their careers and the efficiency of businesses and services.
In this section you can find information on:
- Skills for life Advocates
- Case studies
- Publications
- Useful documents
11 March 2010
Unionlearn authors toasted by literati at Number 10 celebration
Winners of a unionlearn writing competition won a special tribute from Sarah Brown, the Prime Minister's wife, at a reception at Downing Street to celebrate World Book Day.
1 March 2010
Quick Reads 2010
Ten new books are coming your way on World Book Day, 4 March 2010.
Hundreds of employers have used Quick Reads to improve the skills of their workforce. Many have reported a remarkable, positive impact on staff morale, attendance and productivity as a result. There are a variety of materials available to help you make the most of your Quick Reads. Including podcasts, downloads and other web links
30 November 2009
Don't just ‘Chatabout' it!
The Reading Agency has launched Chatabout, a unique new national network to support the growing number of reading groups for adults with literacy needs. Chatabout will help ensure that people who would benefit most from what reading groups have to offer will not miss out. The Reading Agency has a wealth of advice, support and resources for everyone working to engage and inspire adults to read for pleasure: they are invited to sign up now
27 July 2009
Johnny Ball reveals all about the importance of skills for life in Tees Valley
A much loved TV presenter and author famous for bringing maths to the masses visited Tees Valley on Wednesday 22nd July to inspire people to improve their numeracy and literacy skills.
Northern
11 May 2009
Winners of Quick Reads competition
We are delighted to announce the winners of our Quick Reads short story competition.
31 March 2009
raw: skills for everyday life
The new raw campaign and website has now launched!
RaW has now changed to raw: skills for everyday life.
The website has been redesigned to create a user friendly, video-rich resource offering practical advice, inspiring activities and real life experiences to empower adults to take the next steps towards tackling their skills needs. www.bbc.co.uk/raw
5 March 2009
Author Gervase Phinn launches World Book Day with a Quick Read at HMP Moorland
Popular Yorkshire author Gervase Phinn will be launching his new Quick Read book, All These Lonely People, today (Thursday 5th March) at Hatfield Learning Centre, HMP Moorland, as part of a World Book Day event held by the Prison Officers Association (POA) and unionlearn, the TUC's learning and skills organisation. Gervase will read from his book, sign copies and answer questions from an audience of union learning representatives, learners and prison staff. The event will also see the launch of unionlearn's regional publication Union Writes 2008 – a collection of short stories written by trade union members. Gervase will be joined by Dr Alan Roe, unionlearn regional manager, Tom Wheatley, Governor HMP Moorland and Tom Robson from the POA National Executive Committee.
Yorkshire and the Humber
5 March 2009
Author Kate Mosse launches World Book Day with a Quick Read at St James
World-renowned author Kate Mosse will launch her Quick Read, The Cave, at a celebration of World Book Day (Thursday 5th March) today at St James' Hospital, Portsmouth. The author will meet staff from Portsmouth City Teaching Primary Care Trust and read an extract from the new book, copies of which will be given to guests on the day. The launch is also an opportunity to show Kate the excellent partnership between trade unions and the PCT, which has enabled staff to develop themselves through a range of learning opportunities. The PCT has established a union learning centre in the domestic department to provide support for everyone who wants to increase their skills.
Southern and Eastern
5 March 2009
Author Lola Jaye launches World Book Day with a Quick Read at local NHS Trust
Popular author Lola Jaye will launch her Quick Read Reaching for the Stars at Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP) in Chester today to celebrate World Book Day (Thursday 5th March). The event will also celebrate union-led learning with a number of local trade unions and unionlearn, the TUC's learning and skills organisation. Lola will join learners, union learning reps, Roger Nielsen, CWP Associate Director of Workforce Development, Peter Urwin, Unison Regional Organiser and Tony Saunders of unionlearn with the North West TUC.
North West
4 March 2009
Minister for Further Education drives adult learning at First Bus on eve of World Book Day
Today, Wednesday 4 March, the Minister for Further Education Siôn Simon visits a learning centre at First bus garage in Westbourne Park, London. He is joined by Quick Reads author, Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Loose Women star Sherrie Hewson to meet learners who have been using Quick Reads books in the centre.
