Understanding the learning and skills landscape

There are a number of national policies which influence learning, from children through to adults, and from learning in the workplace to learning for leisure. Some have become key drivers in determining what will attract funding and what unions, supported by unionlearn, should work towards in the workplace.

Implementing ‘World Class Skills’ - the Leitch Review of Skills in December 2006 reported that much good progress had been made: more than a million adults in England and Wales achieved a Level 2 qualification, and over 1.7 million adults gained literacy and numeracy qualifications through the Skills for Life programme. However, more still needs to be done, with unions and unionlearn expected to contribute towards Leitch’s ambitious national targets and meet specific targets of their own.

Leitch also noted that as over 70% of the current workforce will still be in employment by 2020, developing the skills of this group of people is crucial.

Continuing to raise the rates of literacy, numeracy and full Level 2 qualifications is essential to allow people to progress on to Levels 3 and 4.

The Skills Pledge offers unions and employers a real opportunity to demonstrate a joint commitment to support the skills development of the entire workforce to a minimum of a full Level 2 qualification, including Skills for Life. Unions play a pivotal role in engaging and supporting learners in the workplace and the role of ULRs has greatly strengthened this role in recent years.

Train to Gain supports the delivery of learning to meet the Skills Pledge. It is a national service aimed at improving the skills of the workforce in England and meeting the needs of employers. Train to Gain brokers offer employers impartial advice to identify the training needs of their organisation, to source appropriate learning provision, and to help evaluate the impact of the training. Unions have a key role in working alongside brokers to negotiate the right package of training for their members.

Much of the learning provided through the Train to Gain service is subsidised by the Learning and Skills Council, and some of it is free. Priority learning - which includes literacy, numeracy for those with identified needs below Level 2, and first full Level 2 courses for those without a first full Level 2 qualification – is free. There is also an entitlement for 19 -25 year olds who are studying for their first Level 3 qualification.

The Government has recently introduced some extensions to the Train to Gain offer:

• Apprenticeships for those aged 19 and over
• Inclusion of the self-employed and people whose lack of skills is preventing them from returning to work
• Skills for Life to be widely available as a stand-alone option, not just embedded within a Level 2 programme
• Funding (in specified circumstances) for those doing a second Level 2 qualification
• Extension of the support available at Level 3

For up-to-date information on Train to Gain visit the Train to Gain website.

Whole Organisation Approach to Skills for Life ensures that Skills for Life is considered in relation to all of an organisation’s systems and procedures at all levels. This means that individuals are encouraged to address any gaps in their literacy, language and numeracy skills at all stages from recruitment to appraisal. The WOA makes the positive promotion of Skills for Life a priority for all staff and thereby helps to minimise any stigma or embarrassment.

Unionlearn has implemented a WOA for itself through a network of Skills for Life Advocates, who are encouraged to influence their own unions to adopt this approach. An Advocate (who is typically a senior trade union officer such as a general secretary, national officer or regional secretary) can influence policy nationally, regionally or sectorally, and is in a position to inspire and enthuse members, peers and partners. Advocates aim to promote Skills for Life as a union issue within their own organisation and champion Skills for Life in all their current roles.