date: 27 March 2006

embargo: Immediate release

TUC on Further Education White Paper

Welcoming the White Paper 'Further Education: Raising Skills, Improving Life Chances' published by the government today (Monday), TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber, said:

'This White Paper is a welcome boost for employees who want to advance their careers through improved skills and training. And it quite rightly puts colleges at the centre of a strategy for economic growth, and it still maintains their crucial social role. I am pleased to see that the Government continues to recognise the role of unions in learning and skills. This is a tribute to the outstanding work of our union learning representatives. These reps involve large numbers of workers in training, and their efforts will be further advanced by the new union learning organisation the TUC will launch next month. This white paper gives more employees opportunities to learn at work, and recognises the importance of extra resources for FE colleges and staff support.'

Contacts:

Media enquiries: Ben Hurley T: 020 7467 1248; M: 07881 622416 ; E: bhurley@tuc.org.uk
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248; M: 07778 158175; E: media@tuc.org.uk

Press release (200 words) issued 27 Mar 2006