Wales Union Learning Fund (WULF) projects
*Although WULF cannot fund University degree courses, learning such as Access courses can be supported.
The Wales Union Learning Fund (WULF) is provided by Welsh Government to help support union led adult learning in the workplace.
All Welsh workers have the opportunity to access the fund to take advantage of the support, advice and guidance and training offers provided through WULF projects.
Does your workplace have a union(s)? Click on your union below to see what's available. If you‘re not a member of a union, don’t worry, you can still access support.
Find out which union(s) work in your sector by using our union finder tool.
ASLEF
BECTU
BFAWU
Community
CWU
FBU
FDA
GMB
NAPO
NEU
NUJ
PCS
POA
RCM
UNISON
Unite
URTU
Usdaw
Alternatively find out about online learning that is available and for free to everyone – see our list of online learning opportunities.
How does WULF work?
Trades unions bid for funding for up to three years in order to organise and or pay for learning opportunities for union members and their non-member colleagues. The delivery of union led learning initiatives helps everyone up-skill and progress in their working and personal lives.
WULF projects are adaptable and meet the needs of industry, government and individuals by delivering union led Fair Work and Learning and Skills commitments.
WULF projects are managed and delivered by passionate, experienced union learning leaders. These leaders; project managers and their teams have expert in depth knowledge of their sectors, they know how to deliver flexible, quality and relevant opportunities to a wide audience in a safe, fair way.
Projects can source online, blended, and hybrid courses, they are able to organise meetings, briefings and events, they are available to support and guide you in your lifelong learning journey.
Trades unions are represented in workplaces and industry sectors Wales wide. Even if you aren’t a member there will be a trade union (and probably a WULF project), that covers your area of work. Use our union finder tool to find out which union(s) work in your sector.
What are the benefits of learning with WULF?
According to research by Wavehill which we commissioned, the Wales Union Learning Fund during 2020-21 supported increased participation, better equality of access and enabled workers to progress in both their own personal development and in their careers.
In 2020-21:
- Over 8,000 workers accessed workplace learning and learner satisfaction was up.
- WULF helped workers to progress both in learning and in their work with 16 per cent of respondents saying that the learning resulted in a change of job role and 52 per cent saying it led to a pay increase.
- WULF delivered for vulnerable workers and under-represented groups - 70 per cent of learners were women and 22 per cent of those surveyed reported to have physical, sensory, learning or mental health impairments.
WULF 22-25
ASLEF: The Learning Partnership Programme
Contact ASLEF
Emma Penman
Education Development & Project Worker
07817 145 754
emma.penman@aslef.org.uk
www.aslef.org.uk
Twitter: @ASLEF_Education
ASLEF Project Offer
ASLEF’s The Learning Partnership Programme is offering a range of online learning courses which are available to ASLEF members, family & friends and rail workers throughout the network. The courses are available to do online, and are completed during personal time. All you need is access to the internet and some free time to commit to your learning goals. Online courses are flexible and will allow you to complete your learning at times to suit you.
These courses are ideal for anyone wanting to develop their knowledge, broaden their horizons, continue with their professional development, or just learn for fun.
Many of the courses are bitesize courses which only take a few hours to complete. Other courses will take a few weeks to complete and are ‘accredited' courses; enabling you to achieve a nationally recognised qualification (which can enhance your CV and improve employment prospects).
To enrol on the courses you will be required to complete some basic documentation. For more information and to enquire about enrolling on courses, please contact your workplace Union Learning Representative. Alternatively, contact Emma at ASLEF - Education.
Bectu Sector of Prospect: CULT Cymru
Contact Bectu
Siân Gale
Skills & Development Manager
CULT Cymru
Bectu
029 2099 0132
sian@bectu.org.uk
www.cultcymru.org
Twitter: @cult_cymru
Facebook: @cultcymru
CULT Cymru Project Offer
CULT Cymru is a learning programme led by Bectu in partnership with Equity, the Musicians’ Union and the Writers’ Guild. We work with industry workers, employers and other organisations to arrange learning activities and networking events throughout Wales.
We work with creative workers by:
- Finding out what you’d like in terms of learning / continual professional development and wellbeing options and how you would like to learn these. We aim to offer most of these activities at a highly subsidised rate and sometimes free.
- Identifying innovative ways of utilising the skills, knowledge and experience of creative workers and enabling those that want to, to share these skills with others. This would include experienced trainers as well as those who want to know more about skills share and delivering training.
- Sign-posting you to other available information and support both industry specific and generic training via our website.
- Working with organisations to bring about cultural change in the creative sector so that it is a fair, inclusive and safe place to work where all have the ability to reach their full potential.
A major part of our work at CULT Cymru is to help you identify your personal learning and professional development needs. We need to learn more about you, the skills you want to develop and the type of education and training you prefer, so that we can ensure you have access to high quality learning that is relevant and affordable.
BFAWU: Inspiring Achievement
Contact BFAWU
Claire James
Project Development Manager
BFAWU Learning Project Wales
02920481518 opt 4 or
07896550460
Education and Training – Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU)
Twitter: @bfawu1
Facebook: @bfawu
BFAWU Project Offer
The BFAWU are here to support you.
In Wales, the BFAWU have an established Wales Union Learning Fund (WULF) project in place which helps hundreds of individuals each year by providing access to training courses.
The BFAWU learning project Wales, has a proven history in the promotion of education and understand the importance that learning plays, both formal and informal, in the lives of our members at work, as well as in their family and social lives.
The project will work tirelessly to ensure you, as a learner, is supported throughout each stage of your leaning journey, after all, your success enables our success, and it is this joint approach that allows the project to continue to successfully provide this important service and assist individuals in developing skills, achieving qualifications and engage in lifelong learning opportunities within the workplace and outside.
Working in partnership with of the largest training providers and colleges in Wales, the project not only has a wide range of courses relating specifically to the food industry but is able to also provide courses that will help your personal development that can be delivered flexibly through various methods.
The learning opportunities available can provide you with skills for your current role, increase qualifications to enable promotion and career progression or even change your career!
There is a strong focus on developing the essential skills and employability of the workforce in Wales, with a particular emphasis on removing barriers for traditional non-learners, as well as providing you skills to enhance day to day digital inclusion as well as providing support for health and well-being.
Currently, the most popular courses are.
- digital Literacy
- language courses,
- literacy and numeracy
- management and supervisory skills
- mental health awareness
Other courses offered include accounting & bookkeeping, project management and a variety of personal development courses, amongst many, many more!
Contact us
If you are interested in gaining a qualification to further your career and would like to find out more or would like to know how to access any of the training courses available, please contact Claire James, Project Development Manager on the following details:
Email: Claire.james@bfawu.org
Tel: 02920481518 opt: 4
Mobile: 07896550460
Or visit the website https://bfawulearning.wales and complete the enquiry form.
As a union, we welcome interest from members and their family members, as well as employees of companies the BFAWU works alongside.
COMMUNITY: Community Learn; Supporting a greener, fairer Cymru
Contact Community
Lisa Francis
Learning Organiser
07834745809 or 02920668800
Community Learn - Community Trade Union (community-tu.org)
Twitter: @communityunion
Facebook: @CommunityUnion
Community Project Offer
Community believes that access to learning, skills development and training is key to success at work and beyond.
We know that every one of our members has different needs and requirements when it comes to learning. That’s why we have an in-house learning team who provide you with practical and flexible opportunities that are unique to you. Whether that be short online training or in person sessions at your workplace or one of our recommended learning centres.
Our WULF project can give individual sponsorship towards learning and development with around £200 available for any training that increases employability skills. We have arranged for training such as; Mental Health and First Aid, Excel, IOSH, First Aid to name a few. More recently we are looking to introduce training around green skills, environmental awareness and more equality-based training such as menopause awareness, alcohol and drug misuse awareness.
Community recognises that people learn in different ways and may need more flexibility with their qualifications therefore we have secured discounts from various online learning providers so you can take a course without a financial worry, here are some examples;
Community has unlimited access to a Staff Skills Training platform with CPD accredited training. Courses range from admin, computer skills, personal development, social care, and education.
Browse the e-learning options below and contact Lisa Francis on the details above before enrolling.
Courses (staffskillstraining.co.uk)
Community is currently offering a range of courses via e-careers. These courses include accounting & bookkeeping, cyber security, IT and project management. Community has secured 15%-30% off all courses on e-careers for members as well as the opportunity to apply for an additional £200 off our WULF project. See link for full range.
This opportunity provides access to interactive and engaging learning content from The Skills Network, a company that has partnered with a number of leading awarding organisations, including NCFE, CACHE and TQUK, to develop outstanding learning resources that meet a diverse range of learning needs. Courses from AAT, business and childcare. See link for full range.
https://communitylearnwales.theskillsnetwork.com
CWU: Learning for the Future | Dysgu i'r Dyfodol
Contact CWU
Kim Johnson
07710854891
Twitter: @CWUnews
Facebook: @ThecommunicationsUnion
CWU Project Offer
All our members are Key Workers and the CWU WULF project would like to support you, your families, friends and colleagues living and working in Wales with access to a wide variety of learning opportunities.
These learning opportunities can provide you with skills for your current role, fill gaps to apply for promotion and even change your career! They can also provide you with methods to enhance digital inclusion, living a greener life to help the planet, as well as providing support for health and well-being.
If you’re a CWU member visit our CWU website for free online courses. These courses may help you in your daily life; at work, at home, for your personal development, for your hobbies – or just for the fun of it! Some of the courses have been produced by the CWU, others are signposted by other providers.
For both CWU members and non-members there are many online providers as well as local providers with a huge range of courses available to you. We can assist with finding a good course and also funding up to £300 of the course fees.
Get in touch with Kim Johnson for more information on kjohnson@cwu.org or 07710 854 891.
FBU: Fire Brigades Union Ladder to Learning
Contact FBU
Simon Fleming
FBU WULF Project Manager
07809 725 684
www.fbu.org.uk/wales
www.fbueducation.org
Twitter: @FBULearn
Facebook: @FireBrigadesUnion1918
FBU Project Offer
This project seeks to improve access to learning for firefighters, especially the high numbers of part-time workers in the service, by providing individualised learning and skills support. Delivering certified, accredited qualifications, as well as essential skills learning.
The project will also have a significant focus on improving workforce wellbeing.
FDA: Pathways to Inclusion - a Fair Work approach to secure a diverse public sector in Wales
Contact FDA
Neil Rider
Head of FDAlearn
07984 789268
neil@fda.org.uk
Twitter: @FDA_union
FDA Project Offer
Our project’s aim is to significantly increase diversity at the most senior levels of the Public sector in Wales. We are building on and expanding our programmes to supporting job progression for those from the widest range of diverse backgrounds.
A focus is the emerging priorities from the Welsh Government Race Equality Action Plan, and making sure that approaches to post COP26 just transition fully embraces diversity challenges. We have also enhanced our offer to take account the additional diversity challenges as we emerge into a COVID normal work environment.
We know that Fair Work principles are vital to the work we do. We offer forums for FDA members to encourage leaders in Central Government Departments and the NHS in Wales to adopt Welsh Government Fair Work principles, especially in recruitment and promotion.
We deliver our work through employability courses, forums, conferences and workshops, using a mixture of wholly remote, classroom based and live streamed (hybrid) delivery.
GMB: Essential Skills Learning Advocacy
Contact GMB
Mike Wilson
GMB WULF Project Manager
07462 575 666
michael.wilson@gmbactivist.org.uk
www.gmb.org.uk/region/walesandsouthwest
Twitter: @GMB_union
Facebook: @GMBunion
GMB Project Offer
The GMB Essential Skills Learning Advocacy project (2022-2025) focuses on developing sector specific skills pathways. The key aims of the project are to increase participation in adult learning and to support workers to upskill and reskill by developing sector specific pathways.
The key sectors will be foundational economy, local government, health, energy and utilities, retail and distribution, social care, housing, Advanced Manufacturing and Material (AMM) and education sectors. In addition, the project will expand its offer into new sectors such as hospitality, leisure and tourism.
GMB is currently offering a range of free courses via e-careers. The courses include accounting & bookkeeping, cyber security, IT and project management.
There are many other ways that the GMB can advise and support you during these times. For more information about the GMB union visit our website - www.gmb.org.uk/region/walesandsouthwest
NAPO: Skills and Learning for All (SALFA)
Contact NAPO (The trade union and professional association for staff working in Probation and Family Courts)
Ian Freshwater
NAPO WULF Project Manager
ifreshwater@napo.org.uk
NEU: Edify
Contact NEU
Beth Roberts
NEU WULF Co-ordinator
029 2049 1818
beth.roberts@neu.org.uk
Twitter: @neucymrutrain
Facebook: @neucymrutraining
Instagram: @neu_cymru_training
NEU Project Offer
NEU Cymru's “Project Edify” aims to provide education professionals with opportunities for skills development and professional growth. All learning opportunities and updates can be found on:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/neucymrutraining
Eventbrite: http://neucymrutraining.eventbrite.com
#mhwcymru #getinvolved
NUJ: Continuous Skills Development in a Rapidly Changing Industry
Contact NUJ
Rachel Howells
Project Manager
NUJ Cymru Training Wales
07974 376 631
trainingwales@nuj.org.uk
www.nujtrainingwales.org/resources
www.nuj.org.uk/where/wales
Twitter: @NUJTrainWales
NUJ Project Offer
NUJ Training Wales is continuing to provide essential training for journalists and communications professionals in Wales.
NUJ provide much of our training remotely as webinars, including a Survive and Thrive webinar for freelance journalists to help them understand their rights and the support available to them.
We know that diversification and additional skills are important and are making many of our courses available as webinars, including podcasting, video, web and writing workshops. Workers who are now suddenly working from home or facing the challenge of reporting the crisis may require wellbeing, mental health or resilience training.
Please visit the NUJ training website and sign up to our mailing list to find out the latest webinar dates as they become available.
PCS: Gaining Accessible Learning in Wales 5
Contact PCS
Jayne Smith, Project Manager
Steven Donoghue, Project Officer
02920 666 363
wulf@pcs.org.uk
Facebook: @PCSWULF
PCS Project Offer
PCS staff in Wales continue to work hard to provide PCS members with support and advice during this difficult and uncertain time, especially members on the front line who continue to deliver vital services.
GALW5 will provide ongoing support to workers by offering workplace learning, individual learning support and organising courses that benefit all staff and the wider community in which they live.
GALW5 will deliver training and learning support for workers and source workplace courses. The project will expand on the online and remote learning provision developed in the previous project to make learning more accessible. The project will focus on accredited learning that supports career development and also on improving workforce wellbeing.
The project will support the civil service workforce, but also build on established links with community learning groups in order to increase participation in adult learning across the board.
The PCS WULF Project team continue to be available via email wulf@pcs.org.uk Contact the project team for further detail of the 2022-25 PCS WULF Project Gaining Accessible Learning in Wales 5 (GALW5) project
POA: Learning and Skills Wales
Contact POA
Nigel Williamson
POA WULF Project Manager
07951750889
POA Project Offer
The focus of the project will be on prison officers and other staff working within the prison and probation service in Wales, delivering dedicated learning services, including individual learner support and the provision of information, advice and guidance creating a platform that ensure that lifelong learning and skills development over a whole career is a possibility for all.
Our website details the range and variety of learning opportunities that we can assist individuals to access, these include a raft of continuing professional development courses and a range of distance learning qualifications. In addition, we work with several partners including other Wulf projects and learning providers to arrange other learning opportunities such as British sign language skills and providing an understanding of the civil service success profiles recruitment and promotion framework.
The website also carries links to other organisations who may be able to assist the individual with developing their careers or pursuing personal learning objectives.
RCM: Personal and Professional Learning for Midwives and Maternity Support Workers in Wales
Contact RCM
Hazel Marsh
RCM Learning Organiser Wales
07825168258
Hazel.Marsh@rcm.org.uk
Twitter: @MidwivesRCM
Facebook: @MidwivesRCM
The RCM Wales WULF Project : 2022 - 2025 will support midwives and maternity support workers in their personal and professional development. We will provide advice, information and learning online and in the workplace, restrictions permitting.
The project will:
• Provide advice, guidance and support for learners, who self-identify or through learning representatives.
• Focus on younger learners entering the workforce on their preceptorship. The ‘Once for Wales’ preceptorship support programme provides a standardised framework for Wales, on which WULF project directed support can be based.
• Develop a suite of courses for Maternity Support Workers (MSWs), which provides progression in learning and helps to support the skills need in the workforce.
• Offer learning for digital skills through online training and face-to-face sessions.
• Provide training in Mental Health, Well-being, Communication and work skills, Interview and job application skills; Positive working cultures; resilience and race awareness to help promote a good and fair working environment, and promote understanding of diversity and BAME communities.
UNISON Cymru Wales: Connecting Learners in Social Partnership 2022 – 2025
Unison Contact
Richard Speight
Area Learning & Development Organiser - North Wales
01492 511656
r.speight@unison.co.uk
Jenny Griffin
Area Learning & Development Organiser - South Wales
Connecting Learners in the Public Services in Wales
02920 729 463
j.griffin@unison.co.uk
cymru-wales.unison.org.uk
Facebook: @unisoncymruwaleslearning
UNISON Project Offer
If you are a public service worker in schools, local councils, social care or the NHS, our Wales Union Learning Fund (WULF) project is here to help you to increase your skills, confidence, wellbeing, and employability.
As we deal with the consequences of pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis, and decarbonisation we will continue to support thousands of front-line workers like you from all over Wales to access a wide range of tutor led webinars, e-learning and grants, as well as face-to-face sessions on digital skills and confidence raising.
We hope our learner stories will inspire you to get involved too. We can help you through our programmes of tutor led webinars, via self-directed e-learning, or we can work in partnership with your UNISON branch and employer to provide specific learning opportunities for you and your colleagues.
Our online courses include:
- Employability Skills like CV & Application Writing, Interview Skills
- Essential Skills of literacy, numeracy and digital skills
- Health and wellbeing, e.g. Mental Health Awareness, Stress & Anxiety, Dealing with Grief
- Continuous Professional Development opportunities like The Aspiring Manager, Managing for the First Time, Time Management, and Coping with Change
- Equalities courses such Race Awareness, Trans Awareness, Menopause Awareness and Bullying in the Workplace
- Sector specific training for those working in schools, health and social care, e.g. Behaviour Management, PTSD Awareness, Principles & Values in Social Care, and Lego-Based Therapy.
Our Partnership with Access e-Learning gives public service workers in Wales a fantastic mobile learning app to help you to develop your knowledge and skills for work wherever you are.
Topics include:
- Coronavirus Awareness
- Health & Safety
- Health & Social Care (including AWIF)
- Online Safety & Cyber Security
- Mental Health & Wellbeing
- Communication & Teamwork
- Leadership & Management
Visit cymru-wales.unison.org.uk/elearning/ to register for the app and discover all your e-learning options with provider like Wranx, Staff Skills Academy, Work Welsh, the Open University, and more!
Our website cymru-wales.unison.org.uk/learning/ is regularly updated with the latest opportunities for everyone to learn more and if you are a UNISON member you can also access the learning support of UNISON’s Learning and Organising Services (LAOS) team who offer free, grants, bursaries, discounts and so much more. To find out more, visit: https://learning.unison.org.uk/
UNITE: Learn with Unite - Pathways to Progress
Contact Unite
Sue Da’Casto
Regional Learning Organiser
Mobile 07768 931 284 / 02920 022759
Richard Jackson
Union Learning Organiser
Mobile 07764 655 762
Email: Learnwithunite.WULF@unitetheunion.org
Eventbrite https://unitewulf.eventbrite.co.uk/
Unite WULF Website: https://unitewulf.cymru/
Learn with Unite (national site) https://www.learnwithunite.org
Twitter: @UniteWales
Facebook: @learnwithunite.unitetheunion
Unite Project Offer
Unite has an extensive range of training opportunities available for members across all sectors in Wales. Much of what’s on offer is accessible online with tutor support, to replicate face to face training as much as possible, so learners feel motivated and supported. Hybrid and classroom-based training will be making a return in 2022.
We are encouraging members in Wales to take on some form of training and development during this challenging time.
In particular, we welcome applications from:
- Key workers wishing to complete a qualification to further their career
- Workers under threat of redundancy who need help with digital and employability skills, and who want to upskill or retrain to improve their career and job opportunities
- Workers looking at redeployment and in need of qualifications and training.
Unite WULF has thousands of fully funded and discounted online courses that cover a diverse range of subjects including vocational and industry qualifications, essential and digital skills, personal development and health and wellbeing.
Unite WULF offers individual training bursaries to help with training costs if you are in any type of employment. We can fund any work-related course accredited up to level 4
The national Learn with Unite platform also offers funded member-specific training, which includes ECS Assessments, 18th Edition, digital skills and bite size accredited and non-accredited courses.
For more information, please contact us directly or check out the website links provided.
URTU: Driving Skills for the Future
Contact URTU
Agnieszka Zamonski
WULF Project Manager
07903 319 995
URTU Project Offer
The URTU WULF project offers a wide range of learning opportunities available to URTU members in Wales, their family and friends. We recognise that working in road haulage, distribution and logistics often means facing multiple barriers to accessing educational opportunities due to long shifts or unsociable work hours.
Most of the courses offered through the project can be accessed remotely and learning can be flexibly planned around work and personal commitments. Many of the opportunities are informal, bitesize courses accessible from any mobile device and which can be completed in a short period of time.
It is also possible to gain new knowledge, skills and enhance employment prospects with short online CPD courses and nationally recognised qualifications. You can also participate in face-to-face sessions and learning events.
The project will continue to develop new and progressive bespoke skills assessments, training and learning opportunities. Our current learning offer can be accessed on our website.
For more information and to enquire about enrolling on courses, please contact your workplace Union Learning Representative. Alternatively, contact Agnieszka on:
07903 319 995 or agnieszka.zamonski@urtu.com
Usdaw: Sustainable Skills Shop for the Future of Wales
Contact Usdaw
Pam Stanton
Usdaw Lifelong Learning Project Worker
02920 731131
Pamela.Stanton@USDAW.ORG.UK
www.usdaw.org.uk/learninggateway
South Wales – Cardiff@usdaw.org.uk Tel 029 2073 1131
North Wales – Warrington@usdaw.org.uk Tel 019 2557 8050
Twitter - https://twitter.com/UsdawUnion
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/UsdawUnion
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/usdawunion
Usdaw Project Offer
You, as Usdaw members and your families have been at the forefront of ensuring Wales is able to access essential food and medicines during this crisis. Usdaw is here for you by offering information, advice and guidance, along with course funding, to help you gain qualifications, adapt to changes in your workplace, change career or improve your Health and Wellbeing.
Visit the Usdaw Learning Gateway
The Usdaw Learning Gateway:
- Links to courses to improve your English, Maths, Digital Skills and Health and Wellbeing
- You can learn at a time that suits you.
- You can use the Gateway for personal and career development or just for fun.
- Families as well can take part - why not get the kids involved?
- Many of the courses are free or subsidised
- Discretionary grants available through WULF (funded by Welsh Government)
- Redundancy information and support (contact Pam at Cardiff Office for more information specific to Wales)
- Includes links to Union Learning Rep and rep development courses
- New for 2022 The Skills Network Level 2 and CPD short courses via our dedicated Usdaw Wales TSN page
- Access Information, Advice and Guidance through our ULRs and Project Team. Many of the courses we offer are fully funded or subsidised with discretionary grants available through WULF for courses.
- Please contact Pam Stanton on 02920 731131 or Pamela.Stanton@USDAW.ORG.UK for more information.
North Wales – Warrington@usdaw.org.uk Tel 019 2557 8050 - We have a dedicated retail team: Crian Williams and Helen Couppleditch – South Wales and Tina Davies – North Wales.