Notice of Motion

labour group

save the union learning fund

This Council notes with concern the letter received by the TUC in October from the Department for Education, outlining Ministers’ decision to end the Union Learning Fund (ULF) from March 2021, and;

This Council recognises the excellent results that have been achieved by the Union Learning Fund;

· 68% of learners with no previous qualifications gained a qualification;

· 68% of employers say unions are particularly effective at inspiring reluctant learners to engage in training and development;

· 70% of learners would not have taken part in learning without union support;

· Every £1 invested in the Union Learning Fund generated a total economic return of £12.24;

This Council further requests the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Education, outlining this Council’s support for the work of the Union Learning Fund, and urging;

· The Government to continue investing in the Union Learning Fund.

          Proposed by: Cllr Childs                                Seconded by: Cllr Grimshaw

Supporting information:

https://www.tuc.org.uk/campaigns/dont-let-government-cut-union-learning

https://www.tuc.org.uk/research-analysis/reports/future-union-learning-fund

Unionlearn’s main functions are to support unions to:

· Become effective learning organisations and broker learning opportunities for their members.

· Improve union engagement with and influence on learning and skills policy.

· Engage effectively with employers, employees and providers to help support the most disadvantaged learners in the labour market; focusing on supporting maths and English learners and the take-up of high quality apprenticeships and traineeships that will contribute to the Government’s commitment to support the delivery of 3 million apprenticeship starts by 2020, as well as promoting the Apprenticeship Levy and new employer-led apprenticeship standards.

· Engage with employers to support them in developing new apprenticeship standards to replace frameworks.

· Provide support and advice to apprentices and trainees and help resolve any issues.

· Engage effectively with employers and other stakeholders to support the learning and skills developments required to tackle poverty and disadvantage and promote employment and the growth of the economy.

· Engage effectively with employers to develop learning and skills strategies that address both organisational and individual skills needs.

· Evaluate and provide an evidence base for the unique contribution that unions make to improving economic and social mobility through learning and skills.