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TUC's unionlearn celebrates first birthday

At unionlearn's 'one year on' conference, TUC general secretary Brendan Barber revealed that there are now 18,000 union learning representatives (previously 15,000), who have supported over 150,000 people to access courses, an increase of 50% on last year.

The conference, held in London on Monday, was designed to celebrate unionlearn's first year and was attended by secretary of state for education and skills Alan Johnson MP.

The conference saw the launch of the new unionlearn Learning Careers Advice Line provided by learndirect Advice and the signing of memoranda of understanding with Sector Skills Councils and with learndirect Advice.

Skills for Life Advocate awards were presented to seven union learning reps by unionlearn board chair and CWU general secretary Billy Hayes. The conference also saw Alan Johnson present new unionlearn Quality Awards to nine colleges.

Alan Johnson said: "Union learning reps have been hugely successful in reaching those workers who have been traditionally least likely to get involved in training.

"The role of the TUC has been central to the Government's skills agenda and unionlearn has been the most important development in taking this exciting agenda forward to meet the challenges which Lord Leitch set out so clearly in his report."

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "Today marks a real milestone, not only for unionlearn but also for all trade unionists who are involved in education. Union-led learning has changed the lives and prospects of hundreds of thousands of people, giving them the confidence to move forward in their personal lives and in their work lives."

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