The Scottish Trades Union Congress has announced the second year of an annual award in memory of Helen Dowie, a trade unionist from Fife, who died from cancer in 2005. The award recognises the pivotal role played by trade union activists in the promotion of workplace lifelong learning.
Helen’s life was devoted to supporting others through the trade union movement and her death, at a young age, was mourned by trade unionists throughout Fife and Scotland. She was a key player in supporting the development of the lifelong learning agenda that union members know today.
The award recognises outstanding trade unionists who demonstrate commitment to union values and lead the learning movement forward in Scotland. Trade unions will nominate lay activists who have demonstrated a commitment to the trade union movement and excelled in the promotion of lifelong learning. The nomination process for this year’s award will be launched at the 6th Annual STUC Learning Conference in the Hilton Hotel in Dundee on the 16th November 2006 and will be presented at the STUC Annual Congress in Glasgow in April 2007.
The 2007 Helen Dowie Award for Lifelong Learning is sponsored by learndirect scotland. In direct support of the Scottish Executive’s Lifelong Learning Strategy, the mission of learndirect scotland is to help individuals and small businesses across Scotland to realise their potential through learning, at a time, place, pace and style that suits their needs.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown said:
“I’m pleased to see the STUC building on the success of this award in its first year and giving unions another opportunity to recognise the brilliant and hard work being done by many learning representatives across Scotland. More than ever the role trade unions play in promoting skills and learning in the workplace is vitally important for workers, employers and wider economic success.
“I know Helen Dowie would have been thrilled to see the hard work of others recognised in such a positive manner. This award is a fitting way to celebrate the achievements of all those gaining news skills and confidence through trade union led lifelong learning.”
STUC Deputy General Secretary Grahame Smith said:
“Trade union activists have played a leading role in the promotion of lifelong learning across workplaces throughout Scotland and we are delighted to continue the award both in recognition of this work and in memory of Helen.
“We expect that last year’s success in recognising the high quality of work being undertaken in this field will drive a high number of nominations from unions across all sectors.”
Damien Yeates, chief executive of learndirect scotland, said:
“We are delighted to be sponsoring the Helen Dowie Award for the second year. Trades unions have a vital role to play in encouraging and supporting their members to get into learning and develop their skills. We are working in partnership with unions and with the STUC to reach members who may not otherwise engage in learning. It is fitting, therefore, that we support this award, which recognises the commitment of trade unionists to lifelong learning.”
ENDS