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Become a Union Learning representative

 

Introduction and Background to the Union Learning Rep

In 1997 the Labour Government had a vision to raise he educational standards of Adults through their Lifelong Learning Strategy. To further develop the strategy on Lifelong Learning the Labour Party appraoched the Trade Union Congress - TUC - to assist with the development of workplace educaion and training opportunities. This included the development of training in the workplace for Basic Skills development, now known as Skills for Life Literacy and Numeracy, which is soon to include basic IT training. 

The TUC recognised that this was a great opportunity to organise the workplace around education and training, a key principle of the Trade Union movement since it's establishmnet over a 100 years ago. 

From this partnership bewteen the TUC and the Labour Government was born the Union Learner Rep, a role that has become pivital to the development of workplace learning within organisations where Trade Unions are recognised and accepted, so much so that ULRs are mentioned in the new Government White Paper on Skils, published in November 2009

In 2002 Union Learner Reps gained recognition in Law with the enactment of the Employment Act 2002, which amended the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act 1992.

UNISON in 2002 introduced the Eastblishing a Culture of Learning Project which became the National Project for recruiting Union Learning Reps. This has now been superceded by the Learning, Equality and Diversity in Unison project in 2008, which supports the development of learning initiatives locally, regionally and nationally, as well as the continued support of the recruitment and training of ULRs. To date UNISON has recruited over 3000 ULRs and overall the TUC have over 20,000 ULRs.

Becoming a Unison Learning Rep

It’s easy to get involved! You can be a ULR if you are interested in:

  • Learning with UNISON
  • Helping out others who are getting back into learning
  • Getting more involved in UNISON
  • Working with others in your branch to get your employer to think about training opportunities or UNISON members
  • Raising awareness about the learning needs of you and your colleagues
  • helping involve more people in your branch

Contact

Phil Kemp Regional Learning and Development Officer, p.kemp@unison.co.uk or via his mobile number on 07908 672908 if you want more information on becaoming a Unison Learner Rep

See webpage - Learning Opportunities in Unison - for more information on Lifelong Learning intiatives.

Carole Proctor SHA ULR Project Lead & Sarah Gwynn, Lifelong Learning co-ordinator, Cambridge Health Branch

Not a member?

If you're not a member of a union, join one now! Union members get a better deal at work all round. To find out more go to Join UNISON?

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