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Latest Trade Union Learning Centre opens

The Hertfordshire Trade Union Learning Centre opened last week - the first in the UK not to be based at a workplace or college, and the first to be wholly owned and run by trade unions.

The centre was officially opened by TUC General Secretary, Brendan Barber, Claire Ward, MP for Watford, and Mary Conneely, Regional Director of the East of England Learning and Skills Council. Also showing their support for the centre were BT and the Communication Workers' Union, who are providing free internet connections for the Centre.

The Centre has opted for flexible opening hours to give local employees the best chance of taking advantage of the facilities with late night opening on Thursday nights and weekend access on Saturday mornings.

Union members from the county who have been trained as union learning representatives will work at the centre identifying the training needs of their colleagues and advising on courses tailored to improve their skills in a whole host of disciplines, including computer skills and essential skills like writing and numeracy.

"A better educated workforce is fundamental in the drive for a more tolerant society," said Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary. "Educated workers can take greater control of their own lives and work, are better equipped to make their own decisions and cope with the rapid pace of global societal change.

"The new Learning Centre offers all local employees the chance to improve their skills and enhance their lives. The work that union learning reps are doing in opening up learning to a whole generation of workers is crucial to the success of business at both local and national level."

Claire Ward, MP for Watford said: "This centre will be a real boost to local workers and the local economy. The Government is committed to lifelong learning at every stage of people's lives and the learning centre will raise the hopes and ambitions of countless workers who have previously been failed by the education and training system."

The Centre is situated at 27 Woodford Road, Watford and is funded by the Union Learning Fund (ULF). The ULF was set up by the Government to encourage unions to encourage and support learning.

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