Citation
(2003), "New rights for union learning representatives", Journal of European Industrial Training, Vol. 27 No. 8. https://doi.org/10.1108/jeit.2003.00327hab.007
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2003, MCB UP Limited
New rights for union learning representatives
New rights for union learning representatives
Trade union learning representatives in the UK can now take paid time off to advise fellow members on their training, educational and development needs.
More than 4,500 union learning representatives have been trained to carry out these duties since 1998, mainly through the UK government's union-learning fund.
"Union learning representatives now have a statutory right to reasonable time off with pay to carry out their duties and undergo training themselves for the job", said a government spokesman. "This is a significant step forward as evaluation has shown that they make a valuable impact in raising interest in training and development among both workers and employers.
"Unions have a vital role to play in promoting the development of learning and skills in the workplace. The new rights for these learning specialists will help to reinforce this role, boost their numbers and enable them to open up new learning opportunities to many thousands of workers who need them. By 2010, there could be as many as 22,000 in place, helping more than 250,000 workers a year back into learning.
"Union learning representatives are particularly effective in reaching low-skilled workers and those with basic skills needs in literacy and numeracy – these are the very people who so often miss out on existing opportunities for training and development."
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "There are lots of employers out there who are well aware of the gains that come from a good and close learning relationship with unions. Union learning representatives are in a great position to know who is up for training at work and who perhaps needs a little persuading before they sign up for learning. Union learning representatives can also help their bosses to plug skill gaps in the workforce."