Learning and Skills Policy
The TUC has long campaigned to raise the skills of Britain's work force. It's good for the country's competitiveness and helps people find more fulfilling and better paid jobs. Here are links to our most recent policy and research work on skills, education and lifelong learning. You can find older material using the search facilities. The TUC is also actively involved in promoting lifelong learning through unionlearn.
Unionlearn was formed from the merger of TUC Education and Learning Services in May 2006. This new initiative has been developed by the TUC to help unions meet the education and skills needs of their members.
Unionlearn aims:
- to help unions become learning organisations
- to help unions to broker learning opportunities for their members
- to research union priorities on learning and skills
For further information on unionlearn, visit http://www.unionlearn.org.uk
The most recent documents available on this subject are:
Minimum wage will help apprentices complete their training, says TUC
Responding to the announcement today (Friday) by Business Minister Pat McFadden that the Low Pay Commission has been asked to consider a national minimum wage for apprentices, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
12 June 2009
Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for England (SASE) - TUC Response
The Government is currently legislating to provide a statutory framework for Apprenticeships, including the development of a Specification of Apprenticeship Standards setting out the required content of the new Apprenticeship framework. As part of this process the Government is consulting on detailed aspects of the new specification as it will apply in England. The TUC response to the consultation makes the case for Government to set universal minimum standards for the Apprenticeship framework in a number of important areas whilst also promoting flexibilities to meet the needs of particular groups, especially adult apprentices. It is also recommended that the employment rights and responsibilities element of the framework is strengthened and that the role of trade unions, including how to join one, is covered in more detail.
PDF version available for download
2 June 2009
TUC welcomes ‘Ambition 2020' report by UK Commission for Employment and Skills
Commenting on the report – Ambition 2020: World class skills and jobs for the UK – published today (Thursday) by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
7 May 2009
Government departments to encourage contractors to provide skills training and apprenticeships in all publicly let contracts
New guidance has been launched by Skills Secretary John Denham and Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Angela Eagle.
1 May 2009
London is leading the way in taking on new apprentices
With recent Government figures showing that the number of apprenticeship starts in London increased by 30 per cent in 2008, the TUC has today (Tuesday) published a new guide for unions to encourage more employers to take on apprentices.
24 February 2009
Government is practising what it preaches on apprenticeships, says TUC
Responding to the Government's announcement today (Monday) of 21,000 new Apprenticeships across the public sector, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
23 February 2009
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