This autumn marks 25 years of the Wales Union Learning Fund.

A quarter of a century of union-led, learner-focused projects, upskilling workers in Wales.

During the last 25 years over 200 projects have used this vital funding to provide quality training, health and wellbeing support and employability skills, and given learners across every part of Wales the opportunity to develop and progress.  Join us to celebrate some of the incredible achievements.

The event is sponsored by Sarah Murphy MS, Minister for Mental Health and Early Years.

Jack Sargeant MS, Minister for Social Partnership, will be speaking, and we’ll also hear from speakers who have personal experience of the benefits of WULF during the last 25 years.

Join us to celebrate WULF’s 25th birthday

Date: Thursday 19 September 2024
Location: The Pierhead building, Cardiff Bay
Time: 11:30 - 13:30

Lunch will be provided

#WULF25

Speakers:

• Jack Sargeant MS, Minister for Social Partnership

  In 2018, age 23, Jack Sargeant became the youngest-ever Member of the Senedd representing the constituency, Alyn and Deeside.

  Born and bred in Connah’s Quay, Jack’s politics is shaped by his community and experience serving an apprenticeship in manufacturing before completing a degree at Glyndŵr University in Wrexham and working as a development engineer in Deeside specialising in problem solving in manufacturing processes.

  Jack is a passionate advocate for mental health and a champion for Welsh manufacturing and engineering as well as sport and social housing.

  Re-elected to the Sixth Senedd in May 2021, and up to his appointment to Cabinet, Jack served as the Chair of the Petitions Committee, and also sat on the Health and Social Care Committee and the Children, Young People and Education Committee.

  Jack was appointed Minister for Social Partnership in July 2024 by First Minister Vaughan Gething, following a cabinet reshuffle.

• Prudencia Orridge - FDA

  Pru Orridge was born in Tanzania and came to Wales aged 18. After finishing her education, she worked with refugees and asylum seekers before joining HMRC as an Administrative Assistant. Pru worked in several roles before specialising in Customs work. Until recently, she led on Customs issues for HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service and visited several countries to advise on Customs compliance. Pru is now a senior manager in HMRC’s Large Business Directorate.

  Pru is passionate about diversity and inclusion and has played a leading role in HMRC’s race equality work. Until recently, Pru was HMRC’s Race Lead for Wales and oversaw a significant increase in representation at more senior roles for Black and Asian colleagues. Her mini-blogs on anti-racism and Black history have reached thousands of people in HMRC. Pru has also presented on these subjects across government, including at Civil Service Live. Pru was proud to receive an MBE for her services to diversity.

• Steve Donoghue – PCS

  Steve has been involved with WULF for over 20 years, since first becoming an ULR for PCS in the Inland Revenue. His early learning experiences were not the most pleasant and despite attending a Grammar School, he had always felt learning was for others and not for him. It turns out that this was far from the truth. In 2002 he started his first Open University course, which ignited a spark that continues to burn as brightly today and has completed 14 courses attaining a BSc(hons) in Social Psychology, Diploma in Sociology and Certificates in Law and Social Science. He is also an Ambassador for the Open University and provides support for other learners.

  This enthusiasm for learning has spilt over in to his work and voluntary life. He has supported hundreds (if not thousands) of workers through his involvement as the PCS WULF project Officer since 2011. He also provides community learning opportunities, through a number of local organisations in Carmarthenshire, and continues to work with a number of groups to deliver opportunities for all.

• Ian Freshwater, Project Manager, NAPO

  Ian has worked in the Criminal Justice sector for thirty years which includes twenty years in the Probation service.

  During his time in probation, he became a committed member of the Napo union (National Association Probation Officers) where he took an active part in the local branch executive.

  Having gained experience of WULF by becoming a ULR (Union Learning Rep) over a ten year period, Ian became the Napo WULF Project Manager in 2020.

• Mark Church, GMB Learner

We want everyone attending TUC events to have a safe and enjoyable experience. If you require any adjustments or assistance to participate at this event, please let us know.