Winter 2013 Volume 7 Number 2

ISSN 2045-0206

Scottish Union Learning News

www.scottishunionlearning.com • twitter: @unionlearning • www.facebook.com/scottishunionlearning

Learner of the Year AnnouncedThe 2012 Learner of the Year is Robert Higgins of Unite the Union

Union Learning ConferenceULRs are the Crucial Connection at the 2012 Learning Conference

In partnership with Scottish Union Learning, UCATT accessed the Learning Fund to provide a three-day course in “Signwriting” for 12 painters. Delivered by Anniesland College, the tradespeople learned skills in gold leaf gilding, script lettering and shading and lining. By the end of the course, participants had created their own hand painted sign on green board.

The union secured18 hours of paid release and the course was held over three consecutive Thursdays at Queenslie Training Centre workshop.

Painter Elaine McGrath said: “I have really enjoyed the course. I have extended my trade skills as well as my knowledge. If it wasn’t for the union negotiating time off, I would not have been able to do this course.”

Michael Conroy, UCATT Project Worker, said: “I have worked closely with the ULRs at City Building to provide support to tradesmen looking to access lifelong learning opportunities. By training new ULRs and increasing our presence, we have now established a solid foundation for the future.”

Signwriting Boosts Trade Skillsfor UCATT MembersBy Michael Conroy, UCATT Project Worker

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Bite Size Briefings

Four meetings took place at the STUC from September to December 2012 in a series of workshops called “Bite Size Briefings”. These workshops, run by the Scottish Union Learning Marketing Officer, were aimed at Project Workers and union officials interested

in learning more about raising the profile of union learning in Scotland. Topics included:

Case Studies for Beginners; An Introduction to Social Media; Effective Award Nominations; and Writing Press Releases.

Feedback from participants was 100% positive. Scottish Union Learning intends to continue Bite Size Briefings in the future.

BITESIZEBRIEFINGS

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I have lived in Scotland for seven years. My training is in social work; however, I have also worked in the Citizens Advice Bureau in Inverness. Working for UNISON on the Learning and Organising Migrant Workers project is not just a fantastic opportunity to use these strands of my experience to support and encourage migrant workers, but also all employees, to be aware of what trade unions have to offer and in particular, to recruit new members into UNISON.

Together with the UNISON Lifelong Learning Project Worker in the Highlands and Islands, Philippa Clark, I try to visit as many workplaces as possible to tell people about the opportunities for learning. Many courses are funded through Scottish Union Learning, and all of these opportunities help us to promote UNISON. One of our project’s main targets is the care sector, where staff have few opportunities to learn. We telephone several care homes in an area, ask to meet the manager to explain what we can offer

and then meet staff to make them aware of the kinds of courses for which we can apply for funding. This often leads to new learning activity in new areas. For example, a visit to a Shetland care home has resulted in a UNISON migrant worker helping me to organise a First Aid course – the first activity of this kind on the island. On another visit, we approached an ordinary looking house on Skye – a small care home - thinking that perhaps we wouldn’t have much success. However, we were met by an enthusiastic manager who worked with us to organise a British Sign Language course for nine staff. There is also high demand for computer training.

What will help UNISON to follow up and build on these visits is a new Union Learning Rep – Carol Mackenzie. In her job, Carol has to drive around Wester Ross and Skye. She is, therefore, able and very keen to call into these small but significant workplaces in our remote and rural communities to get the message across that UNISON is here for them.

Over the Sea to Skyeand Other Places Too!By Marta Chaba, UNISON Learning & Organising Migrant Workers Fieldworker

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Celebrating Book Week Scotlandfor the First TimeBook Week Scotland was Scotland’s first national celebration of books and reading. It took place from 26 November to 2 December 2012. The week-long programme of events was bursting with fantastic opportunities for people from all ages, interests and reading abilities, to embark or continue on a reading journey.

Scottish Book Trust worked with partners across the country to create a diverse programme of events with some of Scoland’s best loved authors including Iain Banks in Loch Leven, Val McDermid in Orkney, Janice Galloway in Benbecula, Christopher Brookmyre in Greenock, Vivian French in Glenrothes and many more. Unite members also took part in the National Reading Hour on 30 November at the First Bus Blantyre Depot.

Other highlights included:

A national Reading Hour on St Andrew’s Day;

The League of Extraordinary Book Lovers - a band of volunteers, aged from five to 75 who will make reading recommendations throughout the week;

A pack of three free picture books by leading Scottish authors for all Primary 1 school children in Scotland;

A pop-up festival at the Mitchell Library in Glasgow with events for all ages;

Distribution of 150,000 free copies of My Favourite Place – a collection of stories and poems written by the people of Scotland; and

Celebrations in schools, including a live poetry slam broadcast.

Visit www.bookweekscotland.com for more information on Book Week Scotland.

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Historic Training in UCATTUCATT ULR Ritchie Haldane utilised his employer’s newspaper, “The Historic Times” to promote opportunities to learn for all Historic Scotland workers. From the ad, UCATT received rapid demand for a “Easy Access to Locks” course. UCATT secured the onsite workshop for course delivery and full paid release for nine joiners to participate.

Hannah Rose, Apprentice Joiner, said: “The course is fantastic. It opened my eyes, especially when learning new methods of accessing locks. I would recommend to any joiner to go on the course.”

In the last 18 months, UCATT has organised six courses between two Historic Scotland depots - all with full paid release. Michael Conroy, UCATT Learning Project Worker, said: “This employer’s commitment to learning and workplace skills for union members is commendable. Learning is now fully integrated within Historic Scotland and this could not have been achieved without the support of the ULRs and the employer. Long may it continue.”

H&I LearningFifteen workers from Argyll to Orkney have started a two-year distance learning journey with the Open University to complete a Certificate in Higher Education Open in Business Management (CHEO) through the Learning Fund, which is supported by ESF. The learners were selected from the many applicants for the heavily over-subscribed course following an evaluation of the applications and interviews. A key aim of the CHEO project was that it was accessible to learners anywhere in the Highlands and Islands. This aim has been realised through the efforts of ULRs who publicised the course. Six of the learners are from the Western Isles, two are from Orkney, four are from the Inverness area and two are from Argyll.

In August, a two-day induction and orientation workshop for the learners was held in Inverness. Following the workshop, CHEO student and UNISON member, Susan Simpson, said: “I was so nervous about returning to study, but feel so much more confident.” Scottish Union Learning Manager, Sylvia O’Grady said: “Trade unions have supported the development of this course at every stage, which exemplifies their role in helping workers to improve their life chances through education.” The union learners began their studies in earnest on 6th October with the first module, Introduction to Business Studies.

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2012 Learner of the Year:Robert’s StoryOnce homeless, Robert Higgins of Wishaw has been working as a Cleaner at the First Bus Depot in Blantyre for the last seven years. Robert is a member of Unite the Union, and earlier this year, he approached his Union Learning Rep, Ewan McLean, in the workplace learning centre for help with his literacy and numeracy skills.

Robert said: “I never went to school. I could not read or count and would be lucky to recognise numbers above 15, but there was nothing wrong with my work...I just remembered the buses I had cleaned by memory instead of filling out a checklist.” In April, Unite the Union arranged for Adam Smith College to provide a tutor once a week who comes along to the First Learning

Centre in Blantyre to assist the staff with literacy and numeracy. This was arranged through support from the Development Fund, and Ewan, as a Unite Learning Rep, encouraged Robert to attend.

Ewan said: “I encouraged Robert to come along to the weekly sessions in the Learning Centre. On his first day, I introduced him to the tutor and gave her a bit of background to his situation. Mainly, he was unable to deal with money and every time he would go away from home on a trip, his partner had to split up his money into bags with exact money: one for the hotel, one for the train, and one for spending money, as he was unable to work out the cost and what change he should receive.”

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Robert has progressed immensely over the weeks and is now able to recognise numbers in tens of thousands and add, multiply and divide. He has also been learning how to calculate and budget money. Robert gained his SVQ level 2 in reading and writing, and is currently working towards a SVQ level 2 in numeracy.

Robert has reacted positively to informal learning at work in a non-structured environment. Robert said: “At first, I was a wee bit scared, but you don’t get treated like a child - you get treated like an adult. They show you how to do things the best way, and if you make a mistake, they help you go through it again and again. The support from my tutor and union has been just amazing.”

Ewan said: “The progress Robert has made is simply outstanding! He is working on measurement and time and he has added ICT skills to his learning plan and bought his own laptop. You can really see the difference union-supported learning has made to his self-confidence. He’s talking to more people in the depot and is really enjoying his work a lot more.” When asked what difference workplace learning support from his union has made to his life, Robert said: “I cannot believe I can do this now, after all those years of hiding it from friends, colleagues and my son. Now I can recognise the fleet numbers on the buses and when I go away on my yearly trip, I can manage my own money.”

Evidence of his continued progress has been retained, and the next steps for Robert are to work towards a SVQ level 2 in numeracy and SVQ level 3 in all literacies. Robert has been named as the 2nd Annual Learner of the Year by Scottish Union Learning. The Learner of the Year Award was introduced by Scottish Union Learning in 2011 to recognise the range of

learning journeys currently undertaken by lay learners in the workplace, supported by trade unions. Robert was nominated by his union, Unite, because of what he is achieving in learning through his own sheer hard work and dogged determination to succeed.

Robert was presented with the Award by Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary, at the Scottish Union Learning Conference in Falkirk. Upon receiving the Award, Robert said: “I can’t believe it. If my learning story even helps one person to do the same thing and access learning, all of this will be worth it. This has been the best year of my life.”

A short film on Robert’s achievements, produced by Unite, can be viewed at www.scottishunionlearning.com.

Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary, presents the Award to Robert Higgins, with his tutor Jennifer Haining and ULR Ewan McLean.

Unite member Robert Higgins, a Cleaner for First Bus in Blantyre, is the 2012 Learner of the Year.

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ULRs: The Crucial ConnectionLearning Conference SuccessThe 5th Scottish Union Learning Conference was held in Falkirk on Wednesday, 14 November 2012, chaired by Anne Douglas, Chair of the Scottish Union Learning Board.

Supported by Skills Development Scotland and the Scottish Qualifications Authority, the Conference focused on the crucial role of ULRs in delivering learning for workers across Scotland. Around 150 delegates from 19 trade unions and trade union councils attended this important annual event.

The Conference began with an Early Session on Twitter for ULRs delivered by Keith Moore, a Unite Union Learning Rep based in Wales. Keith was the 2011 TUC ULR of the Year who has a keen interest

in using social media to help organise learning. You can follow Keith on Twitter @KeithMooreULR.

Following a short film on the recipient, the Scottish Union Learning Learner of the Year Award was presented by Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary to Robert Higgins of Unite. Robert’s story, outlining his learning journey, was well received by delegates, resulting in a standing ovation following his speech.

The Conference was then addressed by Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary, who said: “Today’s Conference focuses on ‘The Crucial Connection’ - the connection that unions, particularly ULRs, make with their members. This can have a profound impact on the lives of individuals and

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those around them...but it is the crucial connection that individuals themselves make with their own skills and their own capacity to learn which makes the impossible possible.”

Angela Constance MSP, Minister for Youth Employment congratulated ULRs on their achievements and confirmed that funding for Scottish Union Learning was included in the Scottish Government’s draft budget for 2013/2014, subject to approval by the Scottish Parliament in February 2013.

Delegates were then invited to participate in a networking session followed by workshops covering a range of topics including ULRs: Breaking Down the Barriers, delivered by the WEA; Trade Unions and the Importance of Digital Participation, delivered by the Scottish Government Digital Participation Team; Credit Where Credit’s Due: Understanding the SCQF, delivered by the SCQF; Skills Development Scotland and ULRs, delivered by the SDS My World of Work Team and, Making Social Media Work for You delivered by Keith Moore, Unite ULR.

During the afternoon session delegates heard from Janette Dunbar, Unite Union Learning Rep who was the recipient of the 2012 Helen Dowie Award for Lifelong Learning. Janette talked about her experiences and the challenges she had faced as a ULR at Diageo in Kilmarnock following the announcement of the plant closure. She also shared her experiences as the recipient of the Helen Dowie Award, and thanked Helen Eadie MSP and Bob Eadie for sharing their memories of Helen Dowie during a tour of the Scottish Parliament. Janette was also named as the 2012 TUC ULR of the Year, and is the first ULR to be honoured with dual awards from the STUC and TUC.

Author, Daniel Gray then addressed the Conference outlining his own learning journey and his interest in labour, social and working class history. Daniel Gray is the author of “Homage to Caledonia: Scotland and the Spanish Civil War” and “Stramash”, a travelogue about Scotland’s smaller towns and football teams. You can follow Keith on Twitter @d_gray_writer.

Feedback from delegates, exhibitors and facilitators was extremely positive and it appears that a good day was had by all.

Angela Constance MSP, Minister for Youth Employment, visits the exhibitors and chats with Skills Development Scotland.

Keith Moore leads a workshop on social media to delegates at the Learning Conference.

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The first Women’s Employment Summit in Scotland was held on 12 September 2012 at Our Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh. Delegates from the public, private and voluntary sectors attended.

The First Minister, Alex Salmond MSP, opened the event; the Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, addressed the Summit before lunch and the Minister for Youth Employment, Angela Constance MSP, closed the event. Agnes Tolmie, STUC President, chaired the main event. Professor Ailsa Mackay, Glasgow Caledonian University, gave a keynote address, and an additional STUC contribution was made through a short film of interviews with women working in Scotland, including some senior trade union officials.

There was a panel discussion in the afternoon. Workshops ran on topics including: Childcare; Research and Analysis; Occupational Segregation; Workforce issues; Multiple barriers to

Employment; and Women in Enterprise. Short discussion papers can be found on the Scottish Government’s website at www.employabilityinscotland.com/news/201208-women-s-employment-summit-12-september-2012.

Two half-day video link roundtable sessions were facilitated from Dumfries and Inverness, which heard the main speeches and opening plenary, discussed some of the Commission themes, and fed questions back into the Summit live, before the lunchbreak. Topics that emerged from these two events included childcare and rural public transport.

Action points and priority themes for the future were identified, and in most cases, it was understood that responsibilities for taking work forward rested not solely with Government. Other partners also gave commitments to follow up on action points. Stalls were provided by a number of organisations, including Scottish Union Learning.

First Women’s Employment Summit Held in Scotland

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Recently, two members of the Scottish Union Learning Team undertook some learning of their own. Ann Garscadden, Admin Manager and Eleanor Adam, Development Officer - Highlands and Islands attended the Union Women Professional Officers course organised by the TUC in October 2012.

The course, aimed at updating the knowledge and skills of women officers, provided information and resources on a wide range of issues, as well as the opportunity to hear from senior women officers about their careers and experiences in the trade union movement. Course participants were welcomed by Liz Rees, Trade Union Education Manager, who was instrumental in establishing the course. Speakers included Kay Carberry, TUC Assistant General Secretary and Mary Bousted, General Secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers and Chair of the Unionlearn Board. The course covered issues such as Equality and Employment Rights, the Economy, Organising, Pensions, Leadership and Presentation Skills.

Ann said: “This was an extremely worthwhile course which I enjoyed very much. There were a number of activities which I was a bit apprehensive about beforehand but, while challenging, with the support of the tutors and other course participants these proved to be effective and beneficial to all of us. Course participants came from areas across the UK and from a variety of unions and workplaces. I would highly recommend this course to other women who are given the opportunity to participate.”

Eleanor added: “I feel more aware of the issues and barriers facing women, in particular. I intend to use what I’ve learned on the course to support and encourage other women to become involved.”

The course also included a visit to the Westminster Parliament where the women officers were given the chance to question women MPs on their journeys towards becoming MPs and on issues of specific interest to the trade union movement. The course is held at Congress House in London on an annual basis.

TUC Education andWomen Professional Officers

A limited number of bursaries to support participants on the Union Women Professional Officers course are available through the TUC.

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Movie Magic BudgetingOrganised by BECTU in Glasgow

Learners’ Voices:With the Learning Fund

Can’t praise it highly enough! Tutoring level excellent! Thank you!

This was an invaluable opportunity and one I would love to see available more often. I thoroughly enjoyed it and benefited greatly from it.

The vast experience of the tutor was invaluable and made the course much more than just a software introduction.

CV Writing Skills & TechniquesOrganised by RCM in Glasgow and Edinburgh

Great course! Good teaching skills used! Good information!

Well presented course, good pace and structure.

I am really pleased I signed up for this course, I feel more confident in writing a personal statement.

Excellent tutor, very friendly and co-operative. Had a great time!

Great course! I would highly recommend it!”

Tutor was patient, helpful and very knowledgeable, he made learning fun.

TheLearning andDevelopmentFundswith Scottish Union Learning

BSL Signature Unit 101Organised by USDAW in Glasgow

Since April 2012, a total of 97 successful Learning Fund applications have been received from 19 different unions. One cross union application has also been received and a further 42 courses have recently been submitted and await approval. It is expected that up to 2,000 participants will benefit from applications received to date which include computer

skills and web page design, accounting and bookkeeping, British sign language, workplace literacy and numeracy skills, signwriting, locksmithing and stone carving. It is hoped that up to 3,000 learners from various unions will receive transferable skills training over the life of the project as a result of ESF and Scottish Government funding received.

The Learning Fund Progress to November

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Angela Constance MSP, Minister for Youth Employment, visited Dawnfresh Seafoods in Uddingston on 10 October 2012. This workplace visit, organised by Scottish Union Learning, gave the Minister a hands-on look at how the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) supports workers as well as Dawnfresh’s wider skills and employment strategy. The workplace’s first Learning Agreement, which gives workers access to a range of work-based courses organised by the BFAWU, was signed in September. The Learning Agreement also established a joint employer/trade union steering group, which commits both parties to work together to support the learning development of the Dawnfresh workforce. This work is supported by the Learning and Development Funds, accessed by the BFAWU, through Scottish Union Learning. The Minister participated in a tour of the factory, met union members and learned more about the Steering Group.

Angela Constance MSP said: “Developing employee’s skills will have a direct and lasting benefit on business and our economy. The Union Learning project at Dawnfresh is a great model of partnership working and I am interested to learn more about how this benefits both the business and its employees.”

Jim McClelland, BFAWU Regional Organiser, said: “The visit showcased the good work already undertaken and ensures the Dawnfresh site becomes a beacon of how unions, Scottish Union Learning, the Scottish Government and employers can work together to create a workplace learning culture to everyone’s mutual benefit.”

Ministerial Visit with the BFAWU at Dawnfresh Seafoods

(L to R) BFAWU member Jim Shannon chats with Angela Constance MSP and Willie Brennan, BFAWU Learning Rep.

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Everyday Skills Event: 28th February 2013

For further information, visit www.scottishunionlearning.com/events. Up-to-date information on conferences and events is also available by following us on www.twitter.com/unionlearning or www.facebook.com/scottishunionlearning.

The 5th Scottish Union Learning Everyday Skills Event will take place on Thursday, 28th February 2013 at the COSLA Conference Centre in Edinburgh.

The theme is ‘Everyday Skills – Making a Difference’. There will be opportunities for ULRs to find out more about digital skills, financial capability and English for non-native speakers. To arrange attendance and release for this event, please contact your own trade union.

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© 2011 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft and the Microsoft logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies or products mentioned herein may be the trademark of their respective owners.

Get online at a cost you can affordDon’t miss out. Get your own ‘no nonsense’ computer to discover all that the internet offers.

• Easy to afford – a well-powered, refurbished computer package for a fraction of the cost of a new computer

• Easy to get started – with all the latest Microsoft® software, including free accessibility software, already set up and working

• Easy to stay in touch with friends and family – through email, instant messaging, Facebook and more

• Easy to make your money go further – do your shopping, pay your bills and get the best deals online to save hundreds of £££s a year

• Easy to pick up IT skills – necessary for everyday life and almost any job.

Get Online@ HomeThe easy place to get your first, very affordableand internet-ready computer.

Go to www.getonlineathome.org

Start now: visit www.getonlineathome.org or phone 03719 100 100

In association with

© 2011 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft and the Microsoft logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies or products mentioned herein may be the trademark of their respective owners.

14 Live & Learn

STUC Helen Dowie Awardfor Lifelong LearningThe 2012 recipients of the three STUC Union Rep Awards visited the Scottish Parliament and met with First Minister Alex Salmond MSP on 31 October 2012.

The recipient of the 2012 STUC Helen Dowie Award for Lifelong Learning was Janette Dunbar, a Unite Union Learning Representative at the now closed Diageo site in Kilmarnock. As a recipient of the STUC Helen Dowie Award, Janette was invited to visit the Parliament by Helen Eadie MSP, a long-time supporter of the Award. Janette was also treated to a tour of the Scottish Parliament by Bob Eadie. Jennifer Payne, Marketing Officer, accompanied Janette during the visit.

In the afternoon, Janette joined the other recipients of the 2012 STUC Union Rep Awards for a meeting with First Minister Alex Salmond MSP and Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary.

Subjects they discussed included funding for workplace learning, health and safety issues and equalities issues.

Do you know an outstanding ULR or group of ULRs who go the extra mile for learning? Nominations for the 2013 STUC Helen Dowie Award for Lifelong Learning can be submitted until 30 January 2013. Forms and guidance can be downloaded by visiting www.scottishunionlearning.com/support/helen-dowie-award.

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January15 Scottish Union Learning Operational Group Meeting18 Closing Date for Congress Motions30 Closing Date for STUC Union Rep Awards Nominations

February14 Scottish Union Learning Union Advisory Group28 Scottish Union Learning Everyday Skills Event

March6 Local Learning Forum, Dumfries13 Local Learning Forum, Fife14 Scottish Union Learning Partners’ Advisory Group Local Learning Forum, Tayside17 Scottish Union Learning Highlands and Islands Operational Group Meeting19 Scottish Union Learning Highlands and Islands Awards Night

April10 Learning and Development Funds Workshop (LUPS)16-18 STUC Annual Congress

Go Green! You can download extra copies of the Scottish Union Learning News online! Visit us on the web at www.scottishunionlearning.com/news. You can download and print only the pages you are interested in or just view the newsletter online.

What’s up in 2013?Learning Matters

Scottish Union Learning

STUC Centre: 333 Woodlands Road • Glasgow G3 6NGTel: 0141 337 8111 Fax: 0141 337 8101

Highlands and Islands: UNISON Building • 53 Shore Street • Inverness IV1 1NFTel & Fax: 01463 248 905

Email: learning@stuc.org.uk • www.scottishunionlearning.comwww.twitter.com/unionlearning • www.facebook.com/scottishunionlearning

Copyright in this publication is held by the STUC unless otherwise stated. For further copies of this item contact Scottish Union Learning on 0141 337 8111 or at learning@stuc.org.uk. This text may also be made available, on request, in accessible formats such as braille and audio tape.

Live&Learn

Available in large print

* Please contact your own trade union to make arrangements to attend these events. Organisation of attendance and release is by your own trade union and is not the responsibility of Scottish Union Learning.