Home > News > October 2005 > 17-Oct-2005

Thousands more to be trained through union fund says LSC

According to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), almost 70,000 more people will gain access to training and development at work this year as a result of around £3 million in new contracts recently awarded by the LSC through the Union Learning Fund.

With an estimated 3.5 million people going to work every day who are unable to read well, the LSC said the funding will enable unions to respond to employees' needs by supporting training in literacy and numeracy and providing opportunities to gain NVQ qualifications at Levels 1 and 2.

The Union Learning Fund was set up in 1998 to help unions to encourage learning in the workplace. To date over 170,000 people from more than 50 trade unions have completed courses, involving 4,000 different workplaces. The LSC said that for 2005/06 unions as diverse as GMB and the Musicians Union have been successful in winning funding and as a result over 300 new learning agreements will be signed by employers.

Pam Vaughan, director of skills for employment at the LSC said: "Many of the individuals who access training funded through the Union Learning Fund find it a life-changing experience.

"The majority haven't taken part in learning since leaving school and the opportunity to gain formal qualifications can give them new-found confidence and enthusiasm in their work. The latest funding round gives us the opportunity to support a range of new projects as well as existing ones, ensuring that even more people can benefit."

The LSC said that a large proportion of the funding will go towards training more Union Learning Representatives (ULRs). ULRs aim to work with employers and their staff to identify people with training needs and help them access the most appropriate course.

"Many people find it difficult to admit that they lack skills such as literacy and numeracy," continued Pam Vaughan. "The benefit of Union Learning Representatives is that they are seen very much as colleagues who can be trusted. There are currently 12,000 ULRs and we are now able to fund another 4,000 in 05/06."

Among the union projects receiving funding is the GMB's Caretrain project which aims to ensure that all care sector workers achieve the vocational qualifications as set out in the Care Standards Act 2000. Project Manager, Steve Wellings, said: "Many staff are reluctant to participate in training because of poor basic skills and low self-confidence. That's why we are developing a network of learning reps to help people who have traditionally been excluded from learning to take advantage of these new opportunities."

The Musicians Union (MU) are receiving funding under the scheme to develop tailored learning programmes for their members. According to the MU, 70% of its members are freelance and struggle to access regular training. The project aims to establish a network of Union Learning Representatives who will work with MU members to help them take up courses of study ranging from Skills for Life through to Continuing Professional Development.

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