GREEN SKILLS - A Union Learning Issue

Ros EtheridgeUnionlearn Regional coordinatorExeter10 July2012

Why do we need Green Skills – You know this

• Climate Change is predicted to have a massive impact on the world

• Resources are also being put under pressure so new technologies and solutions are desperately needed

• Workplaces and workers need to adapt to these changes in an uncertain job market, green skills may be a solution to improve employment chances, as well as a way to cut costs and improve the viability of workplaces.

Green skills - a trade union issue?

3 key areas for us

1.New skills / Re-skilling

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2. Saving the employer (organisation) Money

3. Saving the Members money through home/domestic savings

Skills for a Green Economy: Evidence Report’, BIS, October 2011Green Skills are:-• Skills to deliver an economy that has “value and growth”

• Skills to manage natural assets sustainably

• Skills to deliver a thriving low carbon and environmental goods and services sector

• Skills that would see environmental damage reduced

• Skills that would increase energy security, resource efficiency and resilience to climate change

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What can Union Learning Representatives (ULR) contribute?

Where do green skills fit with the Union Learning Fund ULF?• Developing responses to redundancy• Tackling specific sectorial skills issues• Targeting areas of economic growth and future

skills• Developing the skills and role of the ULR to

provide high quality specific support and advice• Raising the profile of informal learning• More effective skills utilisation and greater

employee involvement

Case Study : A&P Marine

Case Study : A&P Marine

• Repair dockyard mainly doing MOD work

• 450 staff and up to 250 casuals

• Multi union site: Unite, GMB, UCATT

Case Study : A&P Marine

• Invited union member to join management “Energy Team”

• Trained ULR on 3 day TUC course

• GMB/SWTUC has set up short energy awareness at work training sessions rolling out for entire workforce

• 12 % reduction in energy costs over year

• Workforce more informed taking ownership on energy and waste issues

Magor Brewery

Magor Brewery

• Brewery producing 8% of British beer

• Employees around 400 staff and covers 57 acres

• Used up to 35,000 litres of water a day

Magor Brewery

• Union set up a team of Energy Guardians• Workers involved with management on energy saving -

regular meetings• Successfully argued for training and awareness

throughout the company• Installed energy saving equipment• Since working together the company has saved

£2,000,000• Water use - down 46%, Electricity use down 49%,

Heating down 23%

Magor Brewery

• 3 step approach

- Step 1 Immediate - quick fixes, thermostats, lighting etc.

- Step 2 Evolution - replacing kits such as fridges and laptops with energy efficient version

- Step 3 Self Sufficient Stage - explore installation of wind turbines and solar PV

Magor Brewery - Tony’s Top Tips

Tony Bates is the Green Rep at Magor

• Find members with an interest in the issues• Work closely with the workforce to raise

awareness and increase involvement• Make sure its a stand alone initiative• Ensure meetings are open, inclusive and equal• Above all: Be positive and take the project slowly

Keith Hatch

South West unionlearn

Mob: 07917 415 487E-mail: khatch@tuc.org.uk

www.tuc.org.uk/greenworkplaceswww.greenworkplacessouthwest.org.uk