Future of Union Learning

1. Future of Union Learning Catherine McClennan

2. Confirmed Funding • CSR October 2010 • £15.5 Million Union Learning Fund • Core grant for unionlearn • 1 year funding

3. 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

4. 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 • Train to gain withdrawn • 25% funding cut • Co-Investment (employers and learners make up the shortfall?)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

5. 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

6. 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)

7. 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)

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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’

12. 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

13. New ULF Priorities • Engaging disadvantaged learners • Tackling skills gaps and shortages • Developing High Performance Workplaces • Reaching out to non-unionised workplaces

14. 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

15. How ULRs can help • 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 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

16. What do you need? Tell us what support you need