Home > News > November 2005 > 07-Nov-2005

Chancellor backs TUC learning at work film

The TUC today launches a film highlighting the work trade unions are doing to encourage workers to take up learning at work. The new film 'This is what we do' features the Chancellor Gordon Brown backing the work unions are doing to get people on to workplace learning programmes.

The short film highlights the work of three trade union 'skills for life advocates' talking frankly about the work their unions are doing to get people learning at work. The TUC describes Skills for life advocates as ‘key players’ in the trade union movement who have pledged to support learning in the workplace. The advocates featured in the film are the bakers' union chief, Joe Marino, Unison West Midlands regional secretary, Valerie Broom, and Amicus deputy general secretary, Ed Sweeney.

Commenting on the video, TUC deputy general secretary Frances O'Grady who, in the summer of 2004, signed up as the first TUC skills for life advocate said: "The learning at work agenda is opening up a whole host of opportunities to a new generation of workers. Many may have struggled at school and been put off learning for life. The skills for life advocates play a vital role in ensuring that everyone in the union movement fully understands the new learning revolution that is sweeping our workplaces.

"The advocates are a real boost for the 12,000 union learning reps in the country who are helping their colleagues access training, often for the first time in years. This new film is another useful tool in our campaign to open up learning opportunities at work to everyone who wants them."

Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown MP said: "The work of union learning reps is crucial to giving everyone the chance to develop the skills they need in the modern workplace. I know first hand the difference the reps make to people's lives - people who never had a formal qualification but are now learning vital skills in areas such as reading, writing and computer skills.

"The foundations have been laid and now skills for life advocates and union learning reps need to ensure that all union members, and potential members, in every workplace, in every town, in every region of this country are given the opportunity to learn at work and gain new skills and qualifications to equip them for the future."

Skills minister Phil Hope MP said: "The union learning fund has exceeded all expectations, becoming an established part of the lifelong learning agenda and benefiting thousands of people in the workplace through union-led learning projects. Unions have shown that they can put together a wide range of innovative projects. The Government is working with unions to take workforce development into a new era and sustain it through new long-term projects.

"Union learning representatives are uniquely placed to understand the needs of the workforce. The Government is committed to increasing their numbers in the workplace to give lower skilled adults the confidence, motivation and support to return to learning. Union learning reps have an impressive track record reaching those that are hardest to reach. By working in partnership with employers and learning providers they are changing the learning landscape, benefiting many thousands of people while doing so."

'This is what we do' will be launched at a TUC learning and skills policy network event in central London. Speakers at the event include the Skills Minister, Phil Hope MP, TUC Deputy General Secretary, Frances O'Grady, and one of the featured advocates, Valerie Broom from Unison.

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