Author: unionlearn news releases

Union officials, project leaders and reps had their hard work and innovative contributions to learning and training celebrated at a glitzy Union Learning Fund award ceremony at Congress House, last week (March 18).

GMB General Secretary Paul Kenny joined unionlearn regional manager Helen Cole to open the Babcock Marine learning centre.
The state-of-the-art facility gives the 300-strong workforce at the Appledore shipyard the chance to learn new skills in their workplace.

Commenting on the government’s announcement of a range of new skills policy initiatives, Tom Wilson, director of unionlearn, said: “One year on from the announcement of the New Jobs, New Industries Agenda, the government is demonstrating that positive government support for skills development can help build industry and help people in to jobs…”

Two hundred delegates gathered at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton to hear the positive impact unions are having by introducing their members to training and learning and increasing equality in the workplace. The conference at the Devere Whites hotel on March 17, heard how unionlearn are supporting projects across the region on issues such as; older workers; Mental Health in the workplace; The gender pay gap; Workplace cohesion; LGBT: Issues in the workplace; Development of a Cultural Awareness Toolkit

Winners of a unionlearn writing competition won a special tribute from Sarah Brown, the Prime Minister’s wife, at a reception at Downing Street to celebrate World Book Day.

The creation of more than 20 workplace learning centres are playing a crucial role in providing new skills to workers in the West Midlands, helping them to survive the current recession and preparing them for the jobs of the future.

Pioneering courses to prepare young people for the world of work received a boost today (February 19, 2010) at Stephenson College with the signing of an agreement to promote skills and learning in the workplace.

This week’s employment figures, on the back of the disappointing decision that Tata Corus are going ahead with mothballing the Redcar Steelworks, shows that there remains a good deal of work required to lead the region out of recession. Trade unions are key partners in aiding this recovery.

A union-run learning centre which is persuading workers on the Olympic site to down their tools and learn computer skills and a range of courses has been recognised as an innovative and exceptional project inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Unionlearn is working with the Financial Services Authority (FSA), the UK’s financial regulator, as part of its Skills: Recession & Recovery project to help those facing redundancy or in danger of losing their job. The FSA has published a handbook providing information on how to manage personal finances during volatile times in workplace. Many people during this recession have had their hours cut, some have lost their job and others face an uncertain future.