‘All aboard for learning’ - Skye & Outer Hebrides

The STUC Highlands & Islands Skills & Lifelong Learning Team took to the road aboard MOLI (Mobile Online Learning Initiative) bus for a learning awareness road show on Tuesday 14th August to Friday 17th August 2007. The main aims of the road show were to raise awareness about union learning; identify union members interested in becoming Union Learning Reps (ULRs); inform Gaelic speakers about the newly developed NUJ’s online Gaelic writing skills course, Sgilean Sgriobhaidh Gaidhlig and provide workers with information about local learning opportunities and Individual Learning Accounts.

Among other things, workers who visited the bus were able to register an interest in an ILA; find out what was available at the local college/learning centre; get information about particular courses, attempt short learning exercises from the NUJ’s E into English online course and the Gaelic writing skills course on the bus’ computers and find out about union led learning and the role of the Union Learning Rep. Workers were also able to test their stress levels on the stress meter!

For more information on initiatives in the Highlands & Islands contact Pam Urquhart, Development Officer – Highlands & Islands, by phone on 01463 248 905 or by email at purquhart@stuc.org.uk

Helen Dowie Award for Lifelong Learning

The 2007 Helen Dowie Award for Lifelong Learning recipient, Rachael Bonner, visited London in July. As part of the prize for receiving the award, Rachael was invited by the STUC to spend a day in London where she and her mother were given a private tour of Westminster by Frank Doran MP (Aberdeen North) and sat in on Prime Minister’s Question Time in the House of Commons. This was followed by a meeting with Gordon Brown in which they discussed the award and Rachael’s role as a PCS Branch Coordinator, and what it is like to promote lifelong learning in a pressurised climate of job and pay cuts. Finally they visited and toured Number 10 Downing Street. Rachael and her mum both enjoyed the visit with the Prime Minister and felt the trip was a good learning experience. Rachael Bonner will visit the Scottish Parliament in early September.

STUC Highlands & Islands Everyday Skills Event

The STUC Highlands & Islands Everyday Skills Event will take place on Wednesday, 26 September in Inverness. For more information contact Wendy Burton, Development Officer – Everyday Skills, on 0141 337 8121 or by email at wburton@stuc.org.uk