Future of Union Learning

Catherine McClennan

Confirmed Funding

CSR October 2010

£15.5 Million Union Learning Fund

Core grant for unionlearn

1 year funding

New Government Policy

Adult and Community learning – big society

Apprenticeships (push at Level 3)

Continuing priority for the least skilled

Fewer targets, more freedom for providers?

Skills integrated into modernising the workplace

Will it work?

Train to gain withdrawn

25% funding cut

Co-Investment (employers and learners make up the shortfall?)

Voluntary levies, Minimum performance levels, License to Practise??

More employer engagement essential

Modernising the workplace?

Skills Utilisation - skills should be integrated into wider strategy

High performance working, more flexibility, using skills should lead to better jobs – and pay

But that only works where workers are involved

Training needs consultation/negotiation - Unionlearn delivers on employee engagement

Informal Adult Community

Marked shift of emphasis - £210M ring fenced

Govt accepts community role of Colleges

And social, civic, as much as economic, value of skills

Govt want employers more engaged in community

Via learning centres – (unionlearn delivers community learning)

Learners

Except for Skills for Life all funding for over 24 year olds will be cut

Co-Investment via fee subsidies and loans: £129M in 2012/13 and £398M in 2014/15

Learner Accounts from Sept 2011, priority for IAG via new, unified Next Step service

Workers will need more advice (ULR’s –deliver advice to learners)

Why Unionlearn was supported (1)

Unionlearn has been a success....best of co-operation between Government, business and unions. ....impressive track record of Union Learning Representatives and the ULF in promoting and supporting learning in the workplace, especially in reaching out to those who are poorly-qualified and most in need of support.

....support unionlearn to enable trade unions and ULRs to work more effectively with employers to increase the number of high quality Apprenticeship places available; in particular by promoting the benefits of Apprenticeships to disadvantaged groups in the workforce and to employers who have not previously trained apprentices.

Why Unionlearn was supported (1)

Unionlearn has played a major role in promoting formal and informal learning in workplaces and wider communities, especially in reaching out to those who are poorly qualified and most in need of support....

Government Skills Strategy – Skills for Sustainable Growth 2010

Why Unionlearn was supported (2)

....support ULRs to play a more active role in helping individuals in the workplace to access careers information and advice. For example, they might help individuals use the tools available through the Next Step online channel, including the skills health checks, course directory, relevant market information and funding support available, or open a Lifelong Learning Account.

As a further step we will work with other relevant bodies to explore how we can promote the development of workplace learning champions in non-unionised workplaces drawing in particular on the experience and success of Union Learning Representatives and Community Learning Champions.....

Government Skills Strategy – Skills for Sustainable Growth 2010

Reaching Non – Union workplaces?

Sensitive Opportunities? Unions already do this, learning is a key aspect of

recruitment and organising The friends/family/community approach e.g. Via learning

centres Union/employer relationship essential Expand what already do Encourage links between ULRS and ‘Learning

Champions’

New unionlearn priorities

Already prioritise disadvantaged, community and informal learning, employer engagement

Do more on apprentices, including on progression, quality and gender segregation

More on web/e-learning and IAG/Next Step

More clarity, transparency, MI/Data, performance management of outcomes, better impact evidence

More flexible, generic, responsive service to unions

New ULF Priorities

Engaging disadvantaged learners

Tackling skills gaps and shortages

Developing High Performance Workplaces

Reaching out to non-unionised workplaces

Issues

Changing influencers Spending constraints (LAWD?, incentives for employers,

regional funds) Restrictions – facility and release time, right to request Funding - (Access for disadvantaged, course fees,

flexibilities, learning accounts, loans) L3 and HE Cuts to public services Increased scrutiny Sustainability

How ULRs can help

Support the disadvantaged Digital inclusion IAG and peer support Negotiate co-investment

models Convince the sceptics Employer engagement Work with other union reps

and officials Develop Partnerships

Quality of learning experience

Follow union and ULF protocols

Promote literacy, numeracy, esol, dyslexia support

Support for Apprentices Community engagement Work with non-unionised Impact Evidence Learner feedback

What do you need?

Tell us what support you need