27 November 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TRADE UNION WEEK: LEARNING IN THE HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS
As part of Trade Union Week, Inverness Union Learning Representatives (ULRs) from a host of different trade unions will gather on Monday 11 December to meet with Maureen Macmillan MSP to discuss union led learning in the Highlands & Islands.
The Inverness ULR forum was established in 2004 and allows ULRs from different unions to get together to discuss how local ULRs can best help workers take up opportunities to develop their learning and skills.
Highlands and Islands Maureen Macmillan Labour MSP said: “As a former teacher I have maintained a life-long interest in education and learning. It is something that can continue throughout our lives and is always beneficial to the student and often the wider community.
“I am looking forward to meeting the Union Learning Representatives and finding out about the various learning initiatives being undertaken by the different unions. Those involved in this project in the Highlands and Islands are to be commended for giving union members the opportunity to widen their learning and skills base.”
Scott McBride, Firefighter and Fire Brigades Union (FBU) ULR said: ”In my workplace at Inverness Fire Station, nine Highlands & Islands Fire and Rescue Workers are currently learning BSL (British Sign Language) as part of the Sign Here project, a Highlands & Islands trade union learning initiative.”
“This meeting will provide me and other ULRs with the opportunity to talk with Maureen about some of the learning taking place in workplaces across Highlands & Islands…and where we need to go from here to be most effective.”
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
Maureen Macmillan MSP will address the Inverness Local Forum on Monday 11 December at 11.15am to discuss ‘unions and lifelong learning in the Highlands & Islands’ in the Unison Building, 53 Shore Street, Inverness.
ENDS
For further information, please contact: Jennifer Payne, Marketing Officer STUC Skills & Lifelong Learning Team Tel: 0141 337 8100 Mob: 07702 836 478
Pam Urquhart, Development Officer – Highlands & Islands STUC Skills & Lifelong Learning Team Tel: 01463 248 905 Mob: 07702 836 481
Notes for Editors
The first Trade Union Week will be held at the Scottish Parliament 4th – 7th December 2006. On Wednesday, 6th December, Union Learning Representatives (ULRs) will travel to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh to participate in a meeting with MSPs and Parliamentary Assistants to discuss the lifelong learning agenda. The meeting will include a presentation of trade union learning achievement and a discussion of how local Union Learning Reps see the path of trade union led lifelong learning in the future. ULRs will have an opportunity to highlight their main concerns regarding lifelong learning by directly engaging with members of the Scottish Parliament – both its successes and where it falls short. This opportunity will give ULRs and Local Learning Forums a chance to influence the lifelong learning agenda throughout Scotland.