The sixth annual Scottish TUC Learning Conference will be held on Thursday, 16th November 2006 in the Hilton Hotel in Dundee. The one day conference is aimed at Union Learning Representatives (ULRs) and union members across Scotland who are interested in becoming a ULR. The conference will provide participants with practical information and skills through workshops and presentations and will also allow ULRs from across the country to come together and discuss how we shape union learning throughout Scotland, both nationally and regionally. Sponsored by ILA Scotland, the theme of the conference is “Unions Work for Learning”.
The STUC Learning Conference stimulates and supports trade union learning activity by targeting national key stakeholders in union learning, such as ULRs, learning providers, and representatives of affiliated unions. The STUC Learning Conference successfully encourages awareness of relevant policies and initiatives and to share achievements, experiences and best practice between trade unions and their partners.
A key aim of the STUC Skills & Lifelong Learning Team is to support Union Learning Reps and to develop and sustain a strong Scottish ULR network. Approximately 160 participants, including Scottish Union Learning Fund (SULF) Project Workers and union officials from all over Scotland will attend the conference. Of these, over 100 Union Learning Reps from various unions such as Amicus, PCS, Unison, ASLEF, RMT, CWU, EIS, MU, FBU, BFAWU, NUJ, SPFA, TSSA, UCATT, Equity and Prospect will participate.
Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Allan Wilson said: “Lifelong learning is one of our key strategies to improve the labour market, life quality and the economy in Scotland.
“Trade Unions bring learning to people others don’t reach and I believe the Union Learning Reps’ ongoing work to engage union members across the country in learning will deliver real results for all involved.”
STUC Deputy General Secretary Grahame Smith said: “Local trade union activists across all sectors lead the promotion of lifelong learning across workplaces throughout Scotland. The hard work and dedication of Union Learning Reps in helping workers realise the importance of learning, identifying their skills and learning needs and finding ways of having those needs met strengthens and provides the basis for the union learning movement.”
ILA Scotland spokesperson Dave Hall said: “We have been developing our partnership with Scotland’s unions since the ILA Scotland scheme was established. It seems a natural progression for us to sponsor the STUC’s Learning Conference. The aim of the ILA Scotland is to help people overcome financial barriers to learning. Our involvement in the conference means we can get our message - that ILA Scotland pays to learn - to key people who can take it to all union members.”
ENDS
For further information please contact: Jennifer Payne, Marketing Officer STUC Skills & Lifelong Learning Team Tel: 0141 337 8100 Mob: 07702 836 478