Scottish Government

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Contents

Foreword
Background to the Fund
The Scottish Union Learning Fund Round 6
About SULF funding
What are the main criteria for SULF 6 projects?
Financial and Management Information
Who is eligible to apply?
How will the money be allocated?
How do we submit an application?
What help is available?
Contacts
When do applications have to be submitted by?

Foreword by the Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning

We are committed to working in partnership with unions on learning initiatives and so I am pleased that we are inviting proposals for Round 6 of the Scottish Union Learning Fund. This is a time of change and real opportunity for union-led learning in the workplace. This Round of SULF gives us the opportunity to continue to develop union-led learning.

Our approach since Round 4 has been to encourage unions to take a longer term view of their work by taking forward
multi-year projects. I want this to continue for Round 6 and so I am inviting proposals for projects to cover any period between
1 April 2006 and 31 March 2008. Over this period I am making available £1.6 million and hope that unions will bring forward projects of a high standard which can be funded from this money.

I have seen at first hand how the unions have helped members fulfil their latent potential. Not only helping them in work but also in life. I am keen that unions continue to bring forward those projects that help people challenge themselves and make as full a contribution to society as possible. I am also keen to ensure that the widest range of opportunities is provided and so look for unions, especially the smaller unions, which have not yet taken forward a SULF project to make proposals that will benefit their members.

Last year we introduced the Individual Learning Account scheme " ILA Scotland". I am glad that unions are playing a supportive role in ensuring that as many of their members as possible take up the opportunity of this funding. In August I announced the introduction of the universal scheme for ILA Scotland. I would very much like to see unions take full advantage of the ILA scheme in their SULF 6 projects.

It is clear from previous successful SULF projects that where union and employers co-operate in learning the benefits to employees multiply. Having employers,
not only at boardroom level, but across the business working together with unions towards a shared goal is key to the successful delivery of lifelong learning in the workplace. It is with this in mind that the Scottish Executive supports the work of Sector Skills Councils in Scotland and is making available £1.25 million to enhance Sector Skills Agreements. Unions and union learning have an important role to play in these Agreements and I would like to see proposals for SULF 6 which include a Sector Skills dimension.

SULF 6 takes place at an exciting time for union learning in Scotland. In April I announced that we were making an extra £1.4 million available to the STUC over three years to enhance its ability to support union-led learning. This additional funding will allow the STUC to build its capacity to develop union learning in Scotland. The goal is to move towards a position where unions are able to do more for their members in workplace learning.

I know this is a real challenge but I know that it is a challenge that needs to be met for the sake of unions, their members and employers. It is one I look forward to seeing you strive to achieve.

Allan Wilson, MSP
Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning

Background to the Fund

Better skills for future prosperity

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 raised awareness among members to the benefits of lifelong learning in all its forms. The projects have ranged from developing job specific skills to help attain future employment to developing interests ( e.g. in languages and ICT) for personal fulfilment.

Rounds 4 and 5 looked to train an additional 1,300 Union Learning Representatives (on top of more than 1,000 already trained through SULF 1-3) as well as develop courses, establish dedicated posts for staff to deliver learning and negotiate employer learning agreements.

In Rounds 4 and 5 we removed the ceiling on funding and extended the time for projects to be delivered. 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 6

Round 6, sets out clear criteria to guide new union learning projects. We are looking both to continue the strategic approach of Rounds 4 and 5 and encourage new unions to get involved. As with Round 5, the focus will be on unions "Delivering for Learners". Funding is available for the financial years 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 to support projects that are due to start no earlier than 1 April 2006 and are due for completion no later than 31 March 2008. As with Rounds 4 and 5 there will be no cap on the upper limit that projects may apply for. However, unions are encouraged to think carefully about the amount of funding for which they are applying and the planned level of activity and outcomes related to that funding. There is £800,000 available for each financial year (2006-2007 and 2007-2008) - a total of £1.6 million. Unions are reminded that value for money will play a key part in the final evaluation of projects.

The criteria set out below give clear indications for projects. The criteria are almost an exact replica of the criteria given for SULF 5 - we are looking to continue to build up a union's capacity to promote people development and workplace learning, especially by encouraging and supporting non-traditional learners, and also to deliver 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 application 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 they should use both the targeted and universal ILA Scotland as a way to provide additional funding for their projects. Should you require further information on the operation of ILA Scotland and the eligibility of your members please contact the STUC Skills and Learning Team in the first instance.

In previous rounds we have developed a Project Management Toolkit for SULF projects - Scottish Union Learning Fund Project Toolkit and Guide. 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 the STUC Skills and Learning Team for more information about the toolkit.

About SULF Funding

Applications for Equipment

Unions should ensure that applications 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 Web Portals

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 application. 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 the STUC Skills and Learning Team. While SULF will not contribute a project's costs for the development of an independent learning portal, 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 applications 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 Fund 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, applications 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.

Applications 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 web sites:

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 the STUC and Communities Scotland as well as the National awareness raising campaign The Big Plus.

Sector Skills Agreements - The role of Trades Unions

Sector Skills Councils ( SSCs) represent employees as well as employers. There is a powerful common interest for both in ensuring that together they can secure and develop the skills needed to achieve organisational success. Sector Skills Agreements ( SSA) will need to be developed in close consultation with relevant trades unions. This will complement the work that is being done to engage unions in SSC work more generally, for example through Board membership, the Scottish Union Learning Fund and the network of Union Learning Representatives.

We look for employers to work in partnership with recognised unions. We also look for Union Learning Representatives to develop workplace learning agreements and, in particular, to address the needs of learners with literacy and numeracy needs - an area in which a number of unions have developed considerable expertise.

Therefore, in proposals for SULF 6, we expect to see evidence that projects will actively engage with SSCs and SSAs.

What are the main criteria for SULF 6 projects?

Developing the knowledge economy

This round of SULF funding will be a progression of the previous multi-year strategic Rounds 4 and 5. The theme of this round will again 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 applying 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 6 as was the case for SULF 5. Full consideration will be given to every application.

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 application 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 application adopts.

Further information can be found at Futureskills Scotland http://www.futureskillsscotland.org.uk and more specific information on Industry and Occupation classifications can be found at: http://www.futureskillsscotland.org.uk/uploadedreports/IndustriesOverview.pdf

and http://www.futureskillsscotland.org.uk/uploadedreports/OccupationsOverview.pdf

A copy of the refreshed A Smart, Successful Scotland can be obtained from: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/enterprise/sssen-00.asp

And a copy of the Lifelong Learning Strategy is located at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/lifelong/llsm-00.asp

Criterion 2. We also look to applications 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 applications that demonstrate they are addressing upskilling or reskilling of the membership in relation to identified skills gaps. Those applications 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 application 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://www.futureskillsscotland.org.uk, or reference work done by the Sector Skills Council that covers your industry or reference work done or commissioned by your union.

Geography

Criterion 3. We are looking for applications 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 application 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 application 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 application might be sustained without further access to the Fund. Those unions that are seeking funding for the first time or are submitting an application for funding for new activity, and not work that is a continuation of a previous application to the Fund, should show how this activity would be unlikely to take place without access to the Fund. If your application 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 an application. 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 application 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 the Fund 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.

Delivering for learners

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) applications or funds provided by employers, unions, Sector Skills Councils ( SSCs), especially in relation to Sector Skills Agreements, or learning providers. However, you must ensure that any additional funds are not used to fund those aspects of the application 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 applications 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 applications to make full use of ILA Scotland funding. Applications should make clear how ILA funding, targeted and universal, will be used in the project and contribute to delivering the project's outputs.

Criterion 8. Your application 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 applications that show activity to address the skill needs of the groups listed below. SULF 6 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 and 5 we are looking for applications to show clear quantitative outputs that demonstrate value for money. You should demonstrate clearly the relationship between the aims of the project 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 application 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 have less easily quantifiable results but, may still be important outcomes for the project.

Unions

A step change in union learning

Criterion 12. We welcome applications from any union. However, we would particularly welcome applications from unions which have not received SULF funding before. Those unions that have not applied for SULF funding before may find it useful to contact the STUC Skills and Learning Team to help them develop their application.

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 applications from unions. Joint applications should clearly identify a lead union and a single project management structure - unions working together on a project should not submit separate applications but should submit one application.

Financial and Management Information

The Scottish Executive has now developed a coherent framework for the performance measurement, monitoring and evaluation of the overall SULF programme. 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 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 Skills and Learning Team to review project and progress performance information. Project Managers should, therefore, be in a position to provide the performance information required from the start of the projects. This means project managers, project workers and learning representatives will need to keep records that demonstrate the levels of activity and achievement 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, unions will receive a formal offer of grant support from the Fund setting out the terms and conditions of the offer. All successful unions, and unsuccessful unions if they wish, will meet with the Scottish Executive and the STUC to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of their proposals and how they may be built on or mitigated.

How do we submit an application?

Your application should be made using the application form enclosed with this Prospectus. Please ensure that any letters of support from employers/partners, accompany the application. Applications 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/sulf6

What help is available?

The STUC's Skills and Learning Team is willing to offer advice and support to all trades unions interested in applying for a grant from the Scottish Union Learning Fund.

You may also wish to contact the STUC Skills and Learning Team - Highlands and Islands if you need advice on structuring your application to include the work and focus being undertaken in this area - Contact Pamela Urquhart.

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 the STUC Skills and Learning Team for more information. Once Scottish Ministers have made decisions on projects to be funded, the STUC Skills and Learning Team will hold workshops to support project managers and the workshops will make use of the Project Management Toolkit.

In addition, the STUC's Skills and Learning Team can provide prospective unions with case studies of earlier workplace learning projects run successfully by unions with financial assistance from the Fund. Contact the STUC Skills and Learning Team for these case studies.

Contacts

STUC Skills and Learning Team

Tel: 0141 337 8100
Email: salt@stuc.org.uk

Pamela Urquhart
STUC Skills and Learning Team - Highlands and Islands

Tel: 01463 - 248905
Email: purquhart@stuc.org.uk

Rob Lennox
Skills for Life and Work Division

Tel: 0141 242 0289
Email: rob.lennox@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Tony Coultas
Skills for Life and Work Division

Tel: 0141 242 0220
Email: tony.coultas@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

When do applications have to be submitted by?

Applications for funding should be made no later than Monday 7 November 2005. The start date for projects should be set no earlier than 1 April 2006 and end on or before 31 March 2008.

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

Final payments for all projects must be made no later than 31 March 2008. Please nominate an authorising officer whose signature confirms that the application has the support of the union leadership.