This report explores the potential effect of trade unions on training provision in the British workplace. It does this through an analysis of the Labour Force Survey, covering the period 2001–2013, and in terms of postrecession practice the 2011 Workplace Employment Relations Survey.

The results show that union members received more training than non-members for the period 2001–2013 and in the period post-recession this potential benefit of union membership may have increased. This occurred within a context where general levels of training provision across the workforce have remained fairly constant.