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The Union Role in Opening Doors to Learning

The Union Role in Opening Doors to Learning. Judith Swift National Union Development Manager . Basic Skills – Barriers for Adults . Previous educational experiences I get by -what is the need and relevance for my life? Not a priority

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The Union Role in Opening Doors to Learning

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  1. The Union Role in Opening Doors to Learning Judith Swift National Union Development Manager

  2. Basic Skills – Barriers for Adults • Previous educational experiences • I get by -what is the need and relevance for my life? • Not a priority • Busy and complicated adult lives – fitting personal learning in?! • Fear of failure

  3. The Union Model • Central to the union value base – fairness and justice • Doing learning with people, not to them • Positive message – what people could do, not can’t do • Bringing learning to where people already are e.g. • workplaces, community venues, learning centres • Support and encouragement by peers

  4. The Role of the Union Learning Representative (ULR) • They are just like their workmates and friends • Often basic skills learners themselves • Understand the barriers and issues first hand • They receive approved and accredited training for the role • Recognised by the government inspectorate Ofsted as “an outstanding model of peer support for learners”

  5. The Importance of Partnerships • Unions cannot “go alone” – learners need strong partnerships to support their learning • Employer support is very important – time off to learn, premises e.g. learning centres/room, learning agreements with unions • Working with providers to deliver the learning – unions know their industries and learners and can advise on where, when and how learning can happen • Government and funding bodies • Others organisations with expertise in learning

  6. The Union Model Making Difference On the basis of the government survey completed in 2011 in England: • It is estimated that 8.1 million adults aged 16-65 have difficulties with everyday maths.

  7. What does this mean? In everyday life • making sense of food labels, work out best buys • household bills, VAT • read and understand train timetables, charts • helping children with homework At work • check pay slips • managing time • manage maths at work (recognising numbers, drugs calculations, measurement, etc etc

  8. Making a Difference in Maths • The union model in practice • 800 Maths Champions trained through our Union Learning Representative network • “Maths Positive” materials and resources including Maths4Us.org website • Attitudinal change to maths was needed • More maths learners coming through the Union Learning Fund – an increase of 17% more maths learners this year

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