Unions and Partners – transition to Functional Skills

1. Unions and Partners – transition to Functional Skills Judith Swift

2. Where we are • English and Maths is established and integral to union learning • Standing “ core” component of Learning Agreements with employers • “ Core offer” in Union Learning centres • Models for learners and e levels who feel Functional skills is too big a leap • ULRs are key – strong partnerships with providers

3. Successes • Very effective ( unique) promotion and recruitment through ULRs • Training and resources to support • Advocacy to employers • Strong partnerships with providers • Good bedrock to support transition to Functional Skills • Big rebalancing of maths to english – promotions of Maths and maths Champions is working • Good models E levels to L2 – Kirkless and GMB

4. Benefits of Functional Skills • Learners enjoy Functional Skills – practical application and problem solving • Unions value the context and depth • Unions reluctant to engage with Skills for Life are now engaged • Providers value the expertise of unions in arranging effective delivery of functional skills

5. Issues • Employers like the framework in theory, but not necessarily the time required • Unions are increasingly providing support for Functional skills in Apprenticeships and possibly Traineeships • Demand for progression pathways in Englsih and maths – not just GCSEs

6. Thank you Judith Swift jswift@tuc.org.uk