Scottish Government

SULF5
Scotish Union Learning Fund Prospectus

This document is also available in pdf format (356k)

Contents

Background to the Fund
The Scottish Union Learning Fund Round 5
About SULF Funding
What are the main criteria for SULF 5 projects?
Financial and Management Information
Who is eligible to apply?
How will the money be allocated?
How do we submit a bid?
What help is available?
Contacts
When do bid have to be submitted by?

SULF 5 Application Form (PDF version, 36k)
SULF 5 Application Form (Word version)

Foreword by the Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning

It is now over a year since we published our lifelong learning strategy - Life Through Learning; Learning Through Life; Over that time I have been encouraged by the progress made in working towards the vision that we set out. Unions have played a central role in bringing the opportunities set out in the strategy to their members and making a real impact on their lives.

The investment of 2.7m that Scottish Ministers have already made in SULF has allowed unions to take an active role in learning. And it is important that unions continue to do this. Learning is the key skill for our common future. Learning is an essential requirement, not an optional extra, in today's knowledge economy. For jobs, for personal fulfilment, for stronger communities and for a more secure future; the ability to learn and relearn is vital.

In SULF 4 we looked for a step change in union learning - we funded fewer projects and gave them more funding to show what difference they could make in the learning of their members. We want to continue that approach, but we also want to see new unions get involved in learning. It has been clear that those who have participated to date have brought many benefits to their union and its members. We want to expand the "family" of unions that have been involved with SULF. We want as many unions, union members and employers as possible to be exposed to the benefits of lifelong learning. SULF has proved invaluable in giving unions the chance to show these benefits and put in place the systems and people - especially the hundreds of union learning representatives - that can secure the position of lifelong learning in their companies and organisations for years to come.

This year sees the launch of Individual Learning Accounts Scotland. I am very pleased that we have been able to restart this important scheme for learners. I have no doubt that unions will welcome this new scheme with the same enthusiasm that they had for the original scheme. The union movement, as a whole, were major contributors to the success and targeting of those whom we wished to see benefit. By the time your projects are due to start, ILA Scotland will be up and running. I would urge you to ensure that your projects take advantage of this valuable resource in delivering real learning benefits to your members.

Finally, I would like to say that it has been a pleasure to see at first hand the work and to appreciate the benefit that union learning brings. I am very encouraged by it. I have been particularly pleased to see the new partnerships that are emerging, involving unions, employers, learning providers and others in sustainable learning. These partnerships are innovative and important for the future. I have also recognised the real enthusiasm and commitment shown by those who have taken up the role of Union Learning Representative. We need to build on their hard work and effort.

In SULF 5 I am setting out clear criteria for the sorts of projects that we want to see unions take forward. I look forward to seeing unions rise to the challenge and bring forward innovative and exciting projects for the benefit of us all.

Dr Lewis Macdonald, MSP
Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning

Background to the Fund

The Scottish Union Learning Fund was established in 2000 to promote activity by trades unions in support of the Scottish Executive's vision for lifelong learning in Scotland. The Fund is intended to assist effective and sustainable activity by trades unions and their partners to encourage workplace learning in its widest sense. During rounds 1, 2 and 3 of the Fund, successful projects have raised awareness among members to the benefits of lifelong learning in all its forms. The projects have ranged from developing job specific skills that help attain future employment to developing interests (e.g. in languages and ICT) for personal fulfilment.

It was during these three rounds of funding that the unions developed their capacity to support learning. Including Round 4 projects, over 1,000 Union Learning Representatives have been trained with the support of SULF as well as learning centres set up, courses developed, dedicated posts established for staff to deliver learning and employer learning agreements negotiated.

In Round 4 we removed the ceiling on funding, extended the time for projects to be delivered and increased the amount of funding available. This helped unions in the development of more strategic, multi-year projects that built on the infrastructure and capacity within the unions to deliver the benefits of learning to their members. However, new unions were also successful, demonstrating the continuing need to build capacity.

The Scottish Union Learning Fund Round 5

Round 5, sets out clear criteria to guide new union learning projects. We are looking both to continue the strategic approach of Round 4 and encourage new unions to get involved. The focus of this round will be on unions "Delivering for Learners". Funding is available for the financial years 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 to support projects that are due to start no earlier than 1 October 2004 and are due for completion no later than 31 March 2006. As with Round 4 there will be no cap on the upper limit that projects may bid for. However, unions are encouraged to think carefully about the amount of funding for which they are bidding and the planned level of activity and outcomes related to that funding. The Deputy First Minister and Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, Jim Wallace, announced at the STUC Annual Conference on 21 April 2004 that there would be 600,000 available for Round 5. This is less money than was available in SULF 4 and, given that projects will last for about 18 months, we do not anticipate granting funding at the same level as SULF 4. Unions are reminded that value for money will play a key part in the evaluation of projects.

The criteria set out below give clear indications for projects. Generally speaking we are looking to continue what we have done in the past - building up a union's capacity to promote people development and workplace learning, especially by encouraging and supporting non-traditional learners, and also delivering learning for members. The Fund is not intended to replace employer-funded training, such as funding purely job-specific courses for employees, except where these have been arranged as a result of an employer-union partnership initiative and the union has shown within their bid that this upskilling or reskilling is necessary. Where projects include an element for course funding, unions will need to make clear in their application how this helps to build union capacity to support learning in the workplace.

We would remind unions that ILA Scotland will be re-introduced this year. We would expect unions to make full use of ILA funding for their projects. Should you require further information on the operation of ILA Scotland and the eligibility of your members please contact Dec McGrath at the STUC Lifelong Learning Unit.

In previous rounds we have developed a Project Management Toolkit for SULF projects - Scottish Union Learning Fund Project Toolkit and Guide (November 2003). You should look at this toolkit before completing the application form. The toolkit gives much useful information on taking forward a SULF project, including the arrangements for monitoring expenditure against agreed outcomes and the management information which the Scottish Executive will expect unions to record. Projects will be expected to make use of the toolkit in taking forward their projects. Contact Dec McGrath at the STUC Lifelong Learning Unit for more information about the toolkit.

About SULF Funding

Bids for Equipment

Unions should ensure that bids for hardware / equipment are not included in the SULF funding that is requested. Costs for hardware / equipment should be met from partner contributions or other sources of funding.

Learning Websites

If your project requires a web presence (e.g. to deliver learning to your members or to disseminate information, advice and guidance or to provide a discussion forum for learners or Union Learning Representatives), you should not include this in your bid. The Scottish Executive has funded the STUC to develop and maintain a "Learning Portal" for all unions. Further information on this resource can be obtained from Dec McGrath at the STUC Lifelong Learning Unit. While SULF will not fund the development of an independent website, you can look for SULF funding to support the development of web-based courses.

Other Funding Sources

Funding from the Scottish Union Learning Fund can be used as matching funding for bids to other sources - for example, ESF Objective 3. However, it must be clear that any such funding will be used for different elements from those for which SULF money is being sought - there must be no double funding.

Contributions from Partners

There is no specific requirement for projects to include additional funding. However, bids that lever-in contributions from partners will be particularly welcome. Where an employer is likely to derive particular benefit from the project a union is proposing, such as employees receiving accredited training, we are especially keen to see a strong partnership commitment from them, including an actual financial contribution rather than contributions in kind, such as the use of office space, IT equipment or resource material. Partner contributions may also include the adaptation or use of courses, materials, etc. that have been developed by another union and you should estimate the worth of these to your own project.

Bids will be particularly welcome from trades unions forming partnership with others, such as employers, colleges and universities, local enterprise companies (LECs), Sector Skills Councils (SSCs), local authorities or community-based organisations. Each partner will be required to provide written evidence detailing the precise extent of its commitment to the project.

Adult Literacy and Numeracy

Any proposals by trades unions to address adult literacy and numeracy levels should take account of the 2001 Scottish Executive report Adult Literacy and Numeracy in Scotland and the Literacies in the Community material produced by City of Edinburgh Council, including the Good Practice Framework. This material can be downloaded from the following websites:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/lifelong/alan-00.asp
http://www.communitiesscotland.gov.uk/Web/Site/cl/lc_information.asp

We would also expect trades unions to take account of the work already being carried out by STUC in this field as part of the STUC Pathfinder Project as well as the National awareness raising campaign
" The Big Plus".

What are the main criteria for SULF 5 projects?

This round of SULF funding will be a progression of the previous multi-year strategic Round 4. The theme of this round will be "Delivering for Learners". The support offered by SULF will continue to balance the need to allow for continuing capacity building, particularly through the training and engagement of union learning representatives, and for going beyond capacity building by making full use of union learning representatives in the work place. While there will always be a place for capacity building in new bidding unions, we are looking for other unions to make use of the capacity building they have already completed, both with the aid of SULF funding and through their own means. Over the previous rounds we have seen that the unions not only have the imagination but also the enthusiasm and endeavour to deliver for their members. We, therefore, are now looking for unions to focus on promoting the demand for learning and work on the delivery of learning initiatives for the benefit of their members.

The criteria that we set out below are not exhaustive and unions should not attempt to fulfil every single aspect of the criteria. Rather the criteria are given as an indication of the general direction that we want to see projects take under SULF 5. Full consideration will be given to every bid.

Industrial Sectors

Criterion 1. We wish to have a particular focus on sectors that contain large numbers of employees who are not employed in managerial, professional or associated professional occupations. The sectors are:

Manufacturing
Wholesale & retail
Hotels & restaurants
Transport, storage & communication

Your bid can, of course, make the case for focusing on other sectors and may address particular skills issues highlighted through information from Futureskills Scotland, in Smart Successful Scotland or the lifelong learning strategy. You should set out clearly your reason for whatever sectoral focus your bid adopts.

Further information can be found at Futureskills Scotlandhttp://www.futureskillsscotland.org.ukand more specific information on Industry and Occupation classifications can be found at:-http://www.futureskillsscotland.org.uk /uploadedreports/IndustriesOverview.pdf andhttp://www.futureskillsscotland.org.uk /uploadedreports/OccupationsOverview.pdf
A copy of A Smart, Successful Scotland can be obtained from:-http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/enterprise/sss-00.asp

Criterion 2. We also look to bids to address in particular the identified skills gaps within different sectors. Futureskills Scotland has produced a large amount of information about skill gaps in different sectors. We welcome particularly bids that demonstrate they are addressing upskilling or reskilling of the membership in relation to identified skills gaps. Those bids that look to address adult literacy and numeracy issues will need to show how the work that they are undertaking will give added value to the initiatives that are already being undertaken by Communities Scotland and the STUC.

Your bids should include a description of the skills gaps you wish to address and how their presence is affecting your membership. You should make use of evidence about these skill gaps - e.g. information from Futureskills Scotland,http://futureskillscotland.org.uk, or information from the Sector Skills Council that covers your industry or studies carried out by your union.

Geography

Criterion 3. We are looking for bids that will take forward activity on a Scotland-wide basis or which are pilot projects that seek to extend activity more widely in the future. To show that your bid is Scotland-wide you may wish to provide information in particular describing activity outwith major cities of high population. You may also wish to show how you are looking to address the different needs of members in different areas of Scotland. You may also wish to provide information about the local partners you will work with in different areas. For instance we would welcome evidence that shows you are working with Local Enterprise Companies to take forward your project. We would also welcome evidence that you are working with employers in different areas, with colleges, local Chambers of Commerce, etc. to take forward your project in ways that meet local needs.

You will need to state at what level your project will be engaged (local regional or national) and why you have chosen this approach. You should chose the approach that is most appropriate for your project.

If the focus of your project is local or regional, please specify which areas you are working in and explain links to appropriate local or regional strategies e.g. Local Enterprise Company plans for lifelong learning and workforce development, Community Learning and Development Plans, local plans to address adult literacy and numeracy, etc.

If your project is Scotland-wide, please explain how you will deal with any specific regional or local differences that you have identified. What significant outcomes exist in the bid that differentiate it from a local/regional?

Sustainability

Criterion 4. We want to ensure that activity supported by SULF has sustainable benefits for unions and their members. So we are interested in how the activity of your bid might be sustained without further access to the Fund. Those unions that are seeking funding for the first time or are bidding for funding for new activity, and not work that is a continuation of previous bids to the Fund, should show how this activity would be unlikely to take place without access to the Fund. If your bid looks to carry on work from previous rounds, you will need to justify clearly why you need further funding to carry on this work.

Criterion 5. One important aspect of sustainability is that a project fits within a wider strategy for your union to address the learning needs of members. Projects that demonstrate they are part of a wider strategy have more chance of delivering lasting benefits.

If your union does not have a wider learning strategy you may wish to say something about how your project might help to develop such a strategy.

Criterion 6. As we have already stated, we are looking for projects that make use of any existing union learning reps in a sustainable way and which, therefore, do not depend as much on the existence of a project worker/manager. Previous experience has shown that project worker/manager salary costs account for the single largest expense of a bid. We are seeking to limit the amount of funding that is given to projects for project worker/manager costs in order to maximise spending on learning for members. You will need to justify the amount of funding you are seeking for project workers/managers. You should set out the grade or level for project workers/managers and justify this grade or level according to the activity and outputs that the project expects to deliver. We are seeking to keep salary costs to a minimum. You may wish, therefore, to propose that additional staff costs, over and above that of the project worker/manager, will be met from other funding sources. We would expect that unions that have received 3 or more awards of funding from SULF should normally show a minimum 50% contribution for total salary costs from other funding sources. All salary costs will need to be justified within the bid and these will be considered carefully by the Advisory Group.

Ideally, trades unions should be planning to devote permanent staff time to the promotion of learning and bearing the associated salary costs themselves, by securing funding through mainstream funds or support from other partners. This should be reflected in applications for funding. Grants from SULF cannot be used to subsidise the salary costs of National Officers of trades unions. The only exception to this would be when a National Officer is seconded to manage a project full-time, with their normal duties being carried out in their absence by a deputy.

Criterion 7. We particularly want to encourage unions to make use of other sources of funding for their projects. Other sources of funding may include successful European Structural Fund (ESF) bids or funds provided by employers, unions, Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) or learning providers. However, you must ensure that any additional funds are not used to fund those aspects of the bid that you expect SULF to fund i.e. no double funding. So it would be useful to set out what activity and outputs the SULF funding will support and what activity and outputs the additional funding will support. In the past some bids have specified "in-kind" additional funding (e.g. use of office space, provision of IT equipment or resource material). While we welcome this "in-kind" funding we also wish projects to attract real cash support from other sources. We would encourage bids to make full use of ILA Scotland funding. Bids should make clear how ILA funding will be used in the project and contribute to delivering the project's outputs.

Criterion 8. Your bid should demonstrate how you intend to continue activity beyond the life of the funding. Your project should deliver some real benefit that can be sustained beyond the period covered by the funding. We think that the lasting activity of the project will very much focus on the role and work of union learning representatives once SULF finding has finished. You should explain in detail what lasting activity will be taken forward and what outputs you expect from such activity.

Closing the Opportunity Gap

Criterion 9. We want to encourage bids that show activity to address the skill needs of the groups listed below. SULF 5 projects should seek to address the needs of the wide range of members and their needs but these are groups which we wish in particular to target:

Disabled workers
Older workers
Part Time workers
Workers from ethnic minorities

Which types of workers and workplaces will your project be targeting and why? You should make reference to any research or training needs analysis that support your targeting of particular groups. Explain how the activities in your project will enable equality of opportunity and widening of access to learning. This should include any activities planned to target non-traditional learners and those who may currently be prevented from accessing learning due to real or perceived barriers.

Outputs

Criterion 10. As for SULF 4 we are looking for bids to show clear quantitative outputs that demonstrate value for money. You should demonstrate clearly the relationship between the aims of the bid and the outputs that it will deliver. You should be clear about the sort of activity that your project will take forward and the appropriate outputs from that activity. Your project may well cover a wide range of activity and outputs or may focus on particular activity and outputs. What is important is that you are able to give some indication of the outputs that you are working to deliver.

Criterion 11. In addition you should specify the cost of the outputs of your bid on individual budget lines. You should be able to do this from combining the cost profile for the project (broken down in quarters) with the project targets (again broken down in quarters).

Forecasting outputs provides the basis for planning your project and measuring progress towards your project's goals and objectives. Forecasting outputs should also be related to forecasting the spending profile for your project. Some outputs are "hard" or quantitative and are easily measured, for example,

by keeping a count of the numbers of learning representatives trained, number of people who seek advice and guidance through the project. Other outputs can be more qualitative, or "soft" and are less easily measured because they are less easily quantifiable but, may still be important for the project.

Unions

Criterion 12. We welcome bids from any union. However, we would particularly welcome bids from unions which have not received SULF funding before or unions which were unsuccessful in SULF 4 and were asked to consider resubmitting bids.

If such unions intend to resubmit a bid then they should also seek to ensure their bid fulfils the criteria set out here for SULF 5.

Criterion 13. As unions have developed their learning activities, they have sometimes found it useful to join with other unions in promoting learning activities on a joint basis. We would welcome any such joint bids from unions. Joint bids should clearly identify a lead union and a single project management structure - unions working together on a project should not submit separate bids but should submit one bid.

Financial and Management Information

The Scottish Executive has now developed a coherent framework for the performance measurement, monitoring and evaluation of SULF projects. This framework is designed to support the collection of robust and relevant management information. The Project Management Toolkit has been written to support this framework and to guide unions on how to take forward projects.

All SULF projects are required to produce reports on a quarterly basis and a report on completion of the project that records how successful the project has been in meeting its original aims and objectives and the main lessons that have been learned. In addition, regular monitoring and support visits will be made to projects by the STUC Lifelong Learning Unit to review the project and gather performance information. Project managers should, therefore, be in a position to provide the performance information required from the start of their project. This means project managers, project workers and learning representatives will need to keep records of their activity as the project progresses.

Who is eligible to apply?

Any trade union with membership in Scotland, or any national organisation representing trades unions with membership in Scotland, whether or not it is affiliated to the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), will be eligible to apply for funding. Both the Scottish Executive and the STUC are keen to involve unions who have not yet applied to the Fund.

How will the money be allocated?

Scottish Ministers will make the final decisions on applications after taking advice from an independent Advisory Group, the composition of which will be decided between the Scottish Executive and the STUC. If successful, bidders will receive a formal offer of grant support from the Fund setting out the terms and conditions of the offer. Every effort will be made to provide unsuccessful applicants with feedback on why their bid is not to be funded.

How do we submit a bid?

Your bid should be made using the application form enclosed with this Prospectus. Please ensure that any letters of support from employers/partners, accompany the bid. Bids must be accompanied by a letter, signed by the union's nominated officer, to confirm that the application has the support of the union leadership.

Further copies of this Prospectus and the application form can be obtained from the Scottish Executive web site at; http://www.scotland.gov.uk/sulf5

What help is available?

The STUC's Lifelong Learning Unit is willing to offer advice and support to all trades unions interested in applying for a grant from the Scottish Union Learning Fund - Contact Dec McGrath.

You may also wish to contact the STUC Highlands and Islands Lifelong Learning Unit if you need advice on structuring your bid to include the work and focus being undertaken in this area - Contact Jacqueline McGuigan.

The Scottish Executive will also give advice on a "without prejudice" basis to any union wishing to discuss their project - Contact Rob Lennox or Tony Coultas.

The SULF Project Management Toolkit is a useful guide for any project - contact Dec McGrath for more information. Once Scottish Ministers have made decisions on projects to be funded, the STUC Lifelong Learning Unit will hold workshops to support project managers and the workshops will make use of the Project Management Toolkit.

In addition, the STUC's Lifelong Learning Unit can provide prospective bidders with case studies of earlier workplace learning projects run successfully by unions with financial assistance from the Fund. Contact Dec McGrath for these case studies.

Contacts

Dec McGrath
Lifelong Learning Development Officer
STUC
333 Woodlands Road
GLASGOW
G3 6NG
Tel: 0141 337 8117
Email: dmcgrath@stuc.org.uk

Jacqueline McGuigan
Lifelong Learning Officer
STUC Highlands and Islands
Unison House
53 Shore Street
Inverness
IV1 1NF
Tel: 01463 248905
Email: jkmcguigan@stuc.org.uk

Rob Lennox
Skills for Life and Work Division
Europa Building
450 Argyll Street
GLASGOW
G2 8LG
Tel: 0141 242 0289
Email: rob.lennox@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Tony Coultas
Skills for Life and Work Division
Europa Building
450 Argyll Street
GLASGOW
G2 8LG
Tel: 0141 242 0220
Email: tony.coultas@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

When do bids have to be submitted by?

Applications for funding should be made no later than Monday 21 June 2004. It is recommended that the start date for projects is set no earlier than 1 October 2004 and end on or before 31 March 2006.

Please send one hard copy of the completed application form (with one copy of all accompanying information including letters of support) and one electronic copy to:-

Rob Lennox
Skills for Life and Work Division
Europa Building
450 Argyll Street
GLASGOW
G2 8LG
Email:rob.lennox@scotland.gsi.gov.uk