Summer 2014 Volume 8 Number 4

ISSN 2045-0206

Scottish Union Learning News

www.scottishunionlearning.com • twitter: @unionlearning • www.facebook.com/scottishunionlearning

Success at H&I ULR ConferenceHighlands and Islands ULRs link learning and organising at work

Learning Fund in Full SwingRead examples of six different unions bringing learning to workers

Johann Lamont MSP, Leader of the Scottish Labour Party, presented certificates to 10 CWU members who recently completed a two-year CISCO Discovery course provided by Glasgow Clyde College on Friday, 13 June 2014.

In late 2012, David Dick, a CWU ULR, undertook a survey of workers at BT in Glasgow to gauge their demand for learning opportunities which were not otherwise being provided through employer-led training.

The survey results demonstrated a latent demand for accredited IT training. On further exploration, David found the most appropriate course of learning was CISCO Discovery. The costs of the course were prohibitive and the work patterns of the workforce made studying this course through traditional routes inaccessible to the BT workers. Therefore, the CWU applied to the Learning Fund through Scottish Union Learning as a means of delivering the course in a way that eliminated these barriers.

A cohort of learners started the first of four modules on the CISCO Discovery Course in December 2012 and completed the last module in April 2014. As the

pressures of the course were high and the number of workers that wanted a place on the course exceeded places available, the CWU worked with Glasgow Clyde College to ensure those undertaking the course would be able to successfully complete it. As a result of the certification, one of the learners has moved from a temporary contract to a permanent contract with BT.

Johann Lamont MSP said: “I am delighted to be presenting certificates to the CWU members who recently completed the CISCO Discovery course at Glasgow Clyde College. This is a great achievement and it serves as an important reminder that trade unions, working in partnership with employers and our colleges, play a crucial role in creating better opportunities for workers across Scotland.”

Craig Anderson, CWU West of Scotland Area Secretary, said: “I am delighted that the hard work and dedication of these learners is being acknowledged. It is a fantastic achievement by all our learners to gain their CISCO certification and I am sure this will provide individuals with future career and employment opportunities in a highly skilled employment sector.”

Scottish Labour Party Leader Presents Certificates to CWU

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PCS Signs Learning Agreementand Gets Moving on Learning PCS and the Scottish Government officially launched their Union Learning Agreement on 20th June 2014. The agreement was launched by Cheryl Gedling, President of the PCS Scottish Government Group and Nikki Richards, Scottish Government. The Launch was followed by a presentation from Dr Angela O’Hagan, Glasgow Caledonian University, on feminising the Scottish budget.

As a result of the Union Learning Agreement with the Scottish Government, a Time and Stress Management course was held in the Glasgow Office of Transport Scotland on 19th June. Research carried out by the PCS ULRs within Transport Scotland highlighted the need for this type of course, and through positive employer engagement, and the work of the Learning Organiser and the ULRs, PCS was able to deliver the course within a fairly tight deadline.

The course supported 12 learners and the funding for this course was acquired through the Learning Fund, administered by Scottish Union Learning. The course was delivered by the University of Glasgow.

There was extremely positive feedback from all the course attendees as well as the ULRs within Transport Scotland who helped in its delivery. One learner said: “Covered more than I thought. Didn’t realise things until they came up today in the course. Very useful, glad I attended.” Another said: “A good introduction into the subject. Would possibly benefit from further courses going deeper into the subject.” The course also gave the ULRs within Transport Scotland an invaluable opportunity to promote the benefits of union learning and union membership.

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Hannah’s Table Time with theFirst Minister and UCATTHannah Ross is a UCATT trade union member and a Modern Apprentice at Historic Scotland in Edinburgh. At the invitation of First Minister Alex Salmond MSP, Hannah met with him in July 2014 at Bute House to view a miniature replica of a Lorimer Table which she made during her apprenticeship.

There are two full size Lorimer Tables in Edinburgh Castle. In her first year as a Modern Apprentice, Hannah made a miniature replica of the Lorimer Tables at Edinburgh Castle to be used as a coffee table. That table is now located in the First Minister’s office at the Scottish Parliament.

The First Minister met Hannah in February 2014 during an event held by Scottish Union Learning during STUC Trade Union Week at the Scottish Parliament. On

hearing that Hannah had made the coffee table that is now located in his residence at Bute House, which is maintained by Historic Scotland, he invited Hannah and her colleagues to his residence to view the table in situ.Hannah said: “It was exciting to see the work I have undertaken as part of my Modern Apprenticeship in an historically significant location such as Bute House. I’m delighted that the First Minister invited me and my union colleagues to see the miniature Lorimer Table and that Scottish Union Learning was able to arrange the meeting.”

Over the past four years, Hannah has also enjoyed working on projects such as conservation. Most recently, she undertook vocational training through a Locksmith course, which was organised

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by UCATT through the Learning Fund. Hannah was offered a permanent position as a Joiner (Grade B) with Historic Scotland upon completion of her Modern Apprenticeship in August 2014.

Michael Conroy, UCATT Project Worker, said: “UCATT congratulates employers like Historic Scotland for positive employment practices where women have the opportunity to engage in Modern Apprenticeships. While we are aware there is a problem in attracting young and female workers into the sector, Modern Apprenticeships can help to address this sectoral issue by providing employment aligned with industry recognised accredited training. This attitude to jobs and skills will help contribute towards a healthier construction sector.”

First Minister Alex Salmond MSP said: “I was delighted to meet Hannah Ross, she had made a fantastic table that is used every day in my office in the Scottish

Parliament. The skill and craftsmanship that went into producing the table are simply outstanding.

“Hannah is an excellent role model for others considering undertaking Modern Apprenticeships. She has progressed through the modern apprenticeship programme and gained skills that she can take with her as she enters the world of joinery. This is absolute evidence of the opportunities that exist for young people, as outlined in the Modern Apprenticeship Toolkit from Scottish Union Learning.

“Hannah is one of thousands of apprentices who have benefited from an invaluable support system offered by trade unions as they enter employment. I would encourage others to listen to Hannah’s story and consider a Modern Apprenticeship as a potential career path.”

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Professional Development AwardsEarned by CWU Learning RepsFive CWU ULRs based at the Glasgow Royal Mail Centre received an SQA Professional Development Award (PDA) in Developing Literacies Learning Programmes for the Workplace. The course was paid for through the Learning Fund and was delivered by the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA).

The Learning Reps began the first module of the PDA in 2012. Craig Brown, one of the WEA’s team of Workplace Literacies Learning Co-ordinators, delivered most of the teaching on the PDA programme. He said: “Unit 1 was the most difficult. The requirements are very high and whilst everyone knew a great deal about organising workplace learning and adult literacies, adapting to the requirements of writing in academic language was a significant a challenge.” On top of that, work commitments were considerable. Two of the ULRs, Derek Frizzle and Callum McLennan, juggled studies with working on night shifts.

The PDA enables the Learning Reps to respond much more directly to the specific learning needs of their colleagues on matters related to reading, writing, numeracy and communication. The ULRs can now develop and deliver their own learning programmes, relying less on outside agencies and resources. To complete the final module, the Learning Reps were required to submit a 2,500 word report. Each chose to write about a learning programme they had previously been involved in as part of their union work. Derek Frizzle, CWU Scotland Regional Learning & Education Committee Secretary and Union Learning Rep, said: “The ULRs at the Glasgow Royal Mail Centre in Springburn have completed the Professional Development Award in Developing Literacies Learning Programmes for the Workplace to assist our learners. This course has given us the foundation to take the learning experience in our workplace that bit further.”

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Unite and UNISON LearningSuccess at Midlothian Council Workers at Midlothian Council celebrated their achievements with a presentation ceremony during Learning at Work Day on Thursday, 22nd May. More than 30 staff who successfully completed European Computer Driving Licence and British Sign Language courses received certificates, presented by the Lord Provost. The courses were paid for through the Learning Fund from Scottish Union Learning and organised by Unite and UNISON’s network of dedicated Union Learning Reps at Midlothian Council who encourage a culture in which education and training is available and accessible for all workers.

Participants on these courses come from all services across Midlothian Council and included all levels of staff. Unite and UNISON have worked in partnership with Midlothian Council to arange staff time off, and to provide venues for staff to be able to take part on these courses.

The courses were organised in various locations, including Stobhill, Newbattle and Penicuik Community Learning and Development Centres and Midlothian Council Libraries.

Over the past decade, Unite and UNISON have worked in partnership at Midlothian Council to promote and facilitate lifelong learning courses for Midlothian Council workers. Together, the unions have successfully organised accredited courses in Computing, British Sign Language, Social Media Skills and Locksmithing. They have also arranged Everyday Skills courses in Literacy, Numeracy, Financial Skills and Employability Skills.

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Highlands & Islands ULR ConferenceOrganising to LearnOn Friday, 13th June 2014, ULRs gathered together at the 7th Annual Scottish Union Learning Highlands and Islands ULR Conference held in Eden Court Theatre, Inverness. The theme of the Conference was ‘Trade Unions Working, Learning and Organising Together in the Highlands and Islands’ and it was supported by the European Social Fund. Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary, was the keynote speaker at the Conference.

Research consistently shows that in workplaces with high union density, workers benefit from better pay and conditions, as well as more learning opportunities. Statistics published by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills show that the average earnings for union members are greater in both

public and private sector. Specifically, the report reveals that trade union members across the UK have pay rates which result in salaries of up to £4,000 per year higher than non-union members.

Often, the only learning opportunities available to workers are brought to them by trade unions. Union learning can support the increase of union membership. Scottish Union Learning in the Highlands and Islands aims to support unions in recruiting ULRs to strengthen the union infrastructure. This will then encourage workers to connect with their trade union so that their learning needs are supported through a strong network of ULRs in the Highlands and Islands.

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Statistics show that 37% of the workers who have undertaken courses supported by the Highlands and Islands Learning Fund are non-union members. The Scottish Union Learning Highlands and Islands ULR Conference focused on maximising opportunities to engage with and promote the benefits of trade union membership to non-union learners, as well as recruiting and developing more ULRs to strengthen the union learning infrastructure in the workplace. The Conference also reflected on the importance of strong unions and well-trained ULRs in delivering the benefits of union-led learning to workers in the Highlands and Islands.

Eleanor Adam, Scottish Union Learning Development Officer - Highlands and Islands, said: “There are two main reasons why union members become Learning Reps: they are committed to trade unions and/or they support lifelong learning. Many Union Learning Reps in the Highlands and Islands are workers who had a positive experience with workplace learning and wanted to take a more active role in spreading the benefits of lifelong learning and upskilling to their fellow workers. We are looking for more people who might be interested in becoming Union Learning Reps in their own workplaces across the Highlands and Islands.”

Scottish Union Learning will be in touch with ULRs in the coming months to take forward the Conference’s organising theme and priorities, such as establishing an Organising Group, as agreed by the ULRs present. Opportunities for recruiting learners to trade unions and encouraging more people to become ULRs will be explored, with ULR Forums and communication through social media also up for review.

A dedicated Facebook Group has been set up to provide a forum for ULRs in the Highlands and Islands at www.facebook.com/groups/scottishunionlearning.highlandsandislands. The Group will be used to keep ULRs updated and to get your views on what’s important in the Highlands and Islands. Scottish Union Learning hopes ULRs based in the Highlands and Islands will engage with and help develop the Group to reflect the unique character of union learning in the region. Please ‘join’ the ULR Group so you can keep in touch with other ULRs in the Highlands and Islands. This is also a chance for you to share news and pictures of union learning activity in your area or workplace! There is also a more general Scottish Union Learning Page at www.facebook.com/scottishunionlearning.

RMT ULRs try out new skills in working apps after a tablets session at the Conference.

One Big Drum performed at the close of the Conference at Eden Court.

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USDAW Links Literacy to ACTSAon Mandela International Day Designated by the United Nations as Nelson Mandela International Day, on 18th July, people throughout the world are encouraged to give voluntary service to the community in whatever way they choose, to help change the world for the better.

USDAW supported a book collection event in Tesco Bellshill as part of ACTSA Scotland’s campaign to mark the day this year. ACTSA’s campaign asked people to donate children’s books to be sent to school libraries in Nelson Mandela’s home Province of Eastern Cape, with which Scotland has a particular link. The union asked staff in store to donate children’s books of all kinds, in English, to encourage reading for fun. These books help to develop fluency in reading English which is vital for all parts of the children’s education. On the Eastern Cape, their mother tongue is mainly Xhosa, but education is mostly in English.

USDAW linked this project to adult literacy by organizing a book swap event in the store’s canteen. Staff were encouraged to bring in a children’s book which they could then swap for a Quick Reads book and an info pack about learning with their union. There was a great response from the store, and other partners, with over 100 books collected in Bellshill and in other workplaces. These books will be sorted and sent over to be put to good use in schools in South Africa.

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September5 Learner of the Year Nominations Due10 Local Learning Forum, Fife11 Local Learning Forum, Tayside29 STUC Offices Closed

October1 Local Learning Forum, Dumfries 4 STUC Black Workers’ Conference15 A Just Scotland: Decent Work, Dignified Lives - STUC Conference18 A Just Scotland: Decent Work, Dignified Lives - March & Rally

November3-4 STUC Women’s Conference15 STUC Disabled Workers’ Conference18 Scottish Union Learning Conference, Dundee

Go Green! You can download extra copies of the Scottish Union Learning News online! Visit us on the web at www.scottishunionlearning.com/news. You can download and print only the pages you are interested in or just view the newsletter online.

Highlands &Islands ULRsHave you joined the new Highlands and Islands ULR Facebook Group? Visit www.facebook.com/groups/scottishunionlearning.highlandsandislands to connect with other ULRs in the region!

What’s up in 2014?Learning Matters

Scottish Union Learning

STUC Centre: 333 Woodlands Road • Glasgow G3 6NGTel: 0141 337 8111 Fax: 0141 337 8101

Highlands and Islands: UNISON Building • 53 Shore Street • Inverness IV1 1NFTel & Fax: 01463 248 905

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Copyright in this publication is held by the STUC unless otherwise stated. For further copies of this item contact Scottish Union Learning on 0141 337 8111 or at learning@stuc.org.uk. This text may also be made available, on request, in accessible formats such as braille and audio tape.

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* Please contact your own trade union to make arrangements to attend these events. Organisation of attendance and release is by your own trade union and is not the responsibility of Scottish Union Learning.