Learning rep role is vital

Apr 21 2008 by Kevin Rowan, The Journal

IN seeking to tackle the immense skills challenges that we face in the region, throughout Europe in fact, the fantastic role being played by trade union learning reps should not be overlooked.

Union learning reps play a tremendous role in the workplace, raising awareness of skills, assessing learning needs and advising workers about learning opportunities and facilitating provision.

As we move toward a much more “demand-led” system the role of trade union learning representatives becomes even more crucial. The number of people taking part in learning activity in the region is far too low, we need to be as innovative and creative as we can in enabling and encouraging people in and out of work to engage in learning. This is where union learning reps have demonstrated incredible success.

The first experience of union learning reps emerged following the Moser report, which exposed the shocking and immense challenge the UK faces in terms of skills for life. Moser highlighted an appalling state of affairs when over a quarter of working people did not have even functional levels of literacy and numeracy skills, proving to be a real barrier to the individuals themselves as well as placing a significant burden on the economy.

Union learning reps proved to be effective in giving people confidence to identify their own skills shortages and then provided incredible support in then enabling the same individuals to develop their skills, in many cases gaining qualifications for the first time in their lives. Some of the stories around this work are moving and incredible and demonstrate some of the most impactive trade union contributions to work and broader society.

The work of union learning reps in this region has constantly evolved, as have the reps themselves, with many of them also qualifying themselves at level 3 or 4 in Information Advice and Guidance. In the last year union learning reps in the North East enabled over 10,000 workers to become new learners, that’s about 1% of the labour market gaining new skills – an incredible achievement.

In a demand-led system it is trade unions that are leading the way, generating immense levels of engagement in skills, making a huge difference to those individuals and adding a massive bonus to the economy.

Kevin Rowan is Regional Secretary of Northern TUC