A helping hand from the Trades Union Congress

Apr 3 2007 By The Journal

Since the earliest days of their development, trades unions have sought to use their influence at work and in the wider political and community spheres to establish opportunities for individual progression and development.

In practice, that has meant campaigns for comprehensive egalitarian education provision, workers' education programmes and generations of contributions to vocational training and apprenticeship developments. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) belief is that the life chances of all people can be transformed through access to learning and training.

Our purpose is to help unions to work in partnership with employers to open up a wide range of learning opportunities for adults in the workplace, promoting personal development and progression.

Unionlearn was launched by the TUC in April 2006, offering a new and exciting service for young people and adults in work through education and training.

Unionlearn trains workplace-based union learning representatives to offer support and guidance to adults about the world of learning and training.

The TUC's flagship North East Learning for All Fund provides funding opportunities for unions and employers wishing to work together in partnership to deliver lifelong learning programmes in the workplace.

During the last five years, the Fund has enabled nearly 12,000 adults in the region to access learning and training.

The TUC also recognises the needs of adults who are not in work, or who are in insecure employment, believing that supporting such individuals in learning and training can play a key role in enabling such vulnerable members of society to achieve job security and personal and professional progression.

Employers, if you would like more information on TUC, Unionlearn, and how it can assist your staff or organisation, go to www.tuc.org.uk/northern or www.unionlearn.org.uk