A new learning project supporting unions to work together, helping union learning not only to survive, but to thrive in the region

In these difficult days when we know people are choosing between heating and eating, the idea of learning could seem in danger of being seen as a luxury, something reserved for times when life is plainer sailing. Union learning, as we know, has been under attack with the axing of Unionlearn government funding in 2021. We also know unions have a lot on their plates: our rights are under constant attack, and our focus is on the fact ‘Britain Needs a Pay Rise’, the demand we will be marching for in the TUC national demonstration on the 18th June. Unions from the North of England will be travelling down to demand better, as in this part of the world we wonder what exactly is meant by ‘levelling up’.

I’m a few weeks in to my new role for TUC Northern, overseeing a union learning project in partnership with the North of Tyne Combined Authority. I’m passionate about working with unions across the 3 authorities which make up the North of Tyne (Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland) to support members in accessing learning, training and qualifications. The Combined Authority and the TUC share a vision that learning, facilitated by unions, can help workers achieve their ambitions, and can even be life changing. The values behind this project and the Combined Authority’s Strategic Skills Plan with its vision for a vibrant, inclusive economy, are the opposite of any notion that learning is a luxury in a time of crisis. Rather, learning, training and appropriate qualifications are central to combating the cost of living crisis, ensuring workplaces value their employees and offer opportunities to develop.

I didn’t want to make this post about me, though as a little bit of context, I’m coming to this role from a background in both education and the trade union movement, as well as local politics and community organising. I’ve worked in education for over 20 years - in secondary schools and higher education - and over that time have been committed to supporting learners, particularly those who haven’t been handed their education on a silver platter; often learners who don’t view themselves as being confident in educational environments. Seeing people love learning, benefiting from skills gained, progressing on to the next step (however big or small that step might be for them), is what I love about this work. Being involved in trade unions, local politics and community organising has both brought home to me the realities about inequalities in our society, and given me optimism that there are ways to fight those inequalities. Education is one of those key ways.

Sadly, not all workers who might like to take part in training and learning have the confidence to think that it is for them – society calling workers unskilled does not help build that confidence, and I won’t use the term ‘unskilled’. I believe most workers want to be good in their roles, care about the people they come into contact with, and want to go home feeling good about themselves. This project will support workers – at all stages of their lives - whose skills might not always be recognised, who may not have had the chance to gain qualifications or training before, for whatever reason. This is a project with a vision to engage workers, employers and branches in a wide variety of learning opportunities, feeding into strategies to build a strong economy in the North of Tyne, one from which everyone benefits.

I am based in the TUC Northern office in Newcastle and have been spending my first few weeks reaching out to those I’ve come across in local union branches and offices, in education providers and in workplaces. I would love to hear from union colleagues, particularly those with a role in learning, or an interest in developing union learning in their workplaces. Please do drop me an email, I’m happy to meet to tell people more about the project, including coming to branch meetings or into workplaces to find out more. If your workplace does not have a culture of learning and training, I would love to put heads together to find ways to change that. We know there’s no single set way to approach workplace learning, and I am keen to think creatively about ways to ensure this project supports those who would benefit the most. I am also keen to LISTEN and learn myself about the great work already going on in many unions and workplaces, and to understand how this project can help sustain the great work many out there are already well under way with. 

These are difficult times for us all. I passionately believe that learning is one of our very best means of tackling challenges we are facing at this moment in time. I was delighted to get this job and really look forward to taking this project further. Please do get in contact if you would like to learn more, or to help me understand good work already taking place.

Karen Lockney - [email protected]