This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Funding for union learning
21/04/2004
Thousands of Union members in Scotland will be able to take advantage of valuable learning opportunities thanks to a further £600,000 of funding, it was announced today.
The Executive funding - for the Scottish Union Learning Fund (SULF) - was unveiled when the Deputy First Minister and Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Jim Wallace addressed the STUC's Annual Congress in Glasgow.
SULF has already helped 46 learning projects run by unions across Scotland and the new funding will ensure more can be set up over the next two years.
Mr Wallace said:
"The importance of skills in helping us grow the Scottish economy cannot be underestimated. SULF is performing a vital role in helping thousands of workers develop new skills - skills which are an essential part of helping career progression and contributing to increased productivity.
"Unions are uniquely placed to promote learning in the workplace and to reach those who are not in learning. Learning is one of the areas where unions can make a difference, where you can see that 'unions work'.
"Since it was created, the fund has helped 21 unions set up learning projects, making excellent use of the Executive's £2.7 million investment.
"The money has helped shop workers take up sign language training, ensured footballers are equipped for life beyond the game and those in the rail industry learn new skills.
"By helping workers nurture and develop their talents, the money will benefit not just the individuals concerned but the economy as a whole. I am therefore delighted that we have been able to continue this investment over the next two years."
Mr Wallace will also announce the creation of an STUC Learning Portal during his address.
Funded by the Scottish Executive and taken forward by the STUC (in conjunction with learndirect scotland) the Portal is an Internet site which will provide a modern tool for unions to use in their learning activities.
Mr Wallace said: "The Portal will provide a shop-window on union learning activity and make communication among all those involved much easier.
"Along with the funding I have announced today, the Portal will ensure the future of union learning activity is bright."
SULF was established in August 2000.
There have been four rounds of projects so far, involving a total of 46 projects from 21 unions with grants totalling £2.7m being awarded.
This round of money will be distributed over the next two years. The Executive hopes to work with the STUC to help Unions prepare bids for the latest round of funding.
There are no set targets for SULF - each project is individual and will have its own objectives and performance measures. The operation of SULF contributes to the Smart, Successful Scotland priority to "increase the demand for high quality in-work training".
5. Examples of how the money was spent in the last round of funding include:
• Musician's Union - £117,000 to run Music Wise - a project to help musicians develop skills to improve their employability.
• National Union of Journalists - £141,000 to make further use of the development of an on-line grammar training programme.
• Scottish Professional Footballers' Association (SPFA) - £108,000 to run Teams for Learning - a project to change the anti-education culture within football through the promotion and active provision of appropriate learning.