This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New skills project for metal workers
06/06/2003
A new project to create more training and development opportunities for steel and metal workers was launched today.
The ISTC Trade Union - Scottish Advocate Workers for Learning Support Network Project, which has secured funding through the Scottish Union Learning Fund (SULF), aims include training and developing 30 Learning Representatives in the workplace, building new links with training providers, and recruiting 120 new entrants into education and learning.
Speaking at the launch, First Minister Jack McConnell said that trade unions have a key role in fostering the new skills and ambition for success in their members which will help drive up Scotland's economic growth.
Mr McConnell said:
"Growing the Scottish economy is the fundmental building block of our future prosperity and creating a Scotland of opportunity for our people.
"Trades Unions have a key role in working in partnership with business to forge a highly-skilled, ambitious workforce, in rewarding jobs and ready to succeed. I am delighted that ISTC is taking on this challenge.
"A competitive Scottish economy needs investment in the skills of workers in manufacturing industries every bit as much as in the new economy. That is why the Partnership Agreement commits the devolved Scottish government to increasing the number of modern apprenticeships to 30,000 and we are backing new lifelong learning initiatives like this.
"If we are to seize the opportunities for growth in the 21th century, we must ensure our greatest resource - our people - are able to be smarter, quicker and sharper in the global economy."
The Scottish Union Learning Fund was established in August 2000 with a budget of £1.6 million over 4 years, representing £400,000 per year until March 2004. The Scottish Budget 2003-06 doubled the Fund to £800,000 with effect from 2003/2004 until 2005/2006. All projects are assessed by an independent advisory group, which includes senior representatives from the STUC, Scottish Enterprise (Glasgow) and learndirect scotland.
ISTC secured £44,937 from Round 3 of the Fund. The project will be run by Steel Partnership Training Ltd.
The First Minister was joined by Michael Leahy, the General Secretary of ISTC, Eddie Lynch, the Assistant General Secretary of ISTC and Victoria Shaw, the Chief Executive of Steel Partnership Training Ltd.
ISTC - The Community Union represents members in current and former steel and metal communities. ISTC is the largest union in the UK steel and metal industries and also increasingly represents members in a wide variety of manufacturing industries. It currently has 3000 members in Scotland.