“The Union Learning Fund (ULF) has an established track-record of training large numbers of learners and in particular, supporting those adult learners who are ‘hardest to reach’”. This is just one of the findings of an independent report released today looking at the Future of the Union Learning Fund.

The report, produced by the University of Exeter, also found that unionlearn has also moved swiftly to help the Government respond to the needs of a workforce subject to the constraints and pressures of COVID-19.

It summarised that although union learning is only delivered in unionised workplaces, it is open to all workers and not just union members. The current threat to remove union learning will undoubtedly reduce workplace learning opportunities for all.

The report also highlights the financial benefits of the Union Learning Fund, finding

that for every £1 spent on union- supported learning and training, the economy gets £12.87 back. £7.56 of this economic return comes from the boost union-led training gives to workers’ wages and employment prospects over their lifetimes, whilst  employers see a return of £5.31 thanks to staff becoming more skilled and productive. And the exchequer sees a return of £3.60 for every £1 invested. 

Responding to the research ahead of tomorrow’s budget statement, TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said:

Union learning transforms lives and brings huge benefits to workplaces and the economy. It is a rare success story in adult skills.

If ministers want to level-up productivity and skills across the regions, they need to engage and support hard-to-reach learners. Union learning has a fantastic track record of getting people back into learning…

It’s not too late for the government to change its mind. Tomorrow’s spending review is an opportunity to find the funding union learning needs to continue. I urge ministers not to turn their back on this brilliant learning scheme.”

The funding allocated last year has been used to support 200,000 workers into training and education, and the report has argued that it can play a key role in ‘levelling up’ skills and productivity as the UK recovers from the pandemic.

Report author Dr Andrew Dean of the University of Exeter said:

This analysis shows the significant economic and personal impacts the Union Learning Fund makes every year.

With coronavirus hitting jobs in so many sectors there will be a real need for adults to re-skill, something (Unionlearn) is expert at doing.”

The report makes a number of recommendations, including:

• ULF funding should have a 3-year rolling commitment from Government
• ULF should be increased with new targets
• Rationalise the centralised cost elements to link to learner outcomes
• DfE to consider a future round of ULF to include capital equipment
• Maintain the current support for training and maintaining ULRs and audit current coverage
• Explore with Government a new model of Learning Agreement

The full report “The Future of the Union Learning” can be found on the TUC website.