Supporting learners through trade unions

Abstract

This article examines the role of voluntary trade union activists in delivering information advice and guidance about
learning, work and careers to members of their unions. The context for this work is the learning and skills system in England, not for the United Kingdom as a whole. It presents a case study of the way in which we in unionlearn, the learning and skills organisation established by the Trades Union Congress (TUC), have developed a model and strategy for supporting learners in unions. Unions in other European Union (EU) countries may wish to consider how this model could be contextualised in their own industrial relations systems when developing the role of their union representatives and officers in learning and skills.