Home > News > November 2006 > 20 November 2006

unionlearn links up with National Extension College

Cash savings on courses and targeted help for disabled, young and ethnic minority trade unionists feature in a new agreement between unionlearn (the TUC's learning and skills organisation) and the National Extension College (NEC).

The new agreement was signed at a House of Commons ceremony by Alison West, chief executive of the National Extension College, and Liz Smith, director of unionlearn.

Bill Rammell, Minister for Higher Education and Lifelong Learning, said: "This is a partnership that makes sense. The NEC has long experience of helping disadvantaged or excluded groups access education. And unionlearn has thousands of union learning representatives that can reach potential students.

"While they are studying, the students can be supported and encouraged by their union learning rep. The NEC knows that this additional support is vital to success in learning. From unionlearn's point of view, a partnership with NEC will give access to over 120 Level 2 and 3 accredited courses and the security of working with a long-established educational charity that shares the values of mutuality that the trade union movement is based upon."

Brendan Barber, TUC general secretary said: "It is always easier to deal with partners who share some fundamental values with you. Both the NEC and the TUC, and in turn unionlearn, share a commitment to combating disadvantage. In practical terms, the type of provision offered by the NEC will be a very useful range for our learning representatives.

"The NEC's ability to move students from Level One, through Level Two and Level Three will contribute to one of our key objectives - progression. Both NEC and unionlearn work closely with the Open University and this double partnership will offer a wide range of subjects covering a variety of levels."

Dr Ann Limb, NEC chair said: "We reach and support key groups of people through partnership working. We value our good working relationships with organisations such as One Parent Families, the Prisoners' Education Trust, the Gifted and Talented support organisations, Parenting UK, School-Home Support, the WEA, UfI and of course the OU. It is a great pleasure to add to this list by reaching a partnership agreement with unionlearn."

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