Learning Works www.unionlearn.org.uk/southwest
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Learning lessons for the future
Tim Lezard reports from unionlearn’s South West annual conference on how equalities should be at the heart of encouraging trade unionists to return to education More than 60 people attended the South West unionlearn conference, entitled Lessons for the Future, in Bridgwater where they were told union learning reps (ULRs) were more likely to be women or people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds. This was a cause for celebration, according to Equality South West Chief Executive Katie Pratt. “Trade unions do a lot of terrific equality work and it’s heartening to know ULRs are continuing that work,” she said. “ULRs could ask themselves if they have reached everybody they could at work, or are there barriers already in place before courses begin? “It’s worth remembering that when people are thinking
about whether or not to go on a course, many of them will have negative memories from their childhood, memories of sitting in the classroom and being told what to do. “There are things ULRs could do to ensure they have reached everybody. For example, they could create a safe and nourishing environment. Even putting up posters saying ‘We’re all different, we all have different needs, but we’re all welcome’ can make a difference to someone who might be undecided about whether or not to come.” She proposed ULRs monitored who was registering for courses and seeing if there was any group of people who missed out. She also suggested ULRs looked at the tutors who were delivering the course. “Is there a good range of men, women, black people, teachers who are gay?” she asked. “It shouldn’t be the main point but having a diverse group of tutors might help encourage more people to become learners.” Earlier, Helen Cole, regional manager for South West unionlearn, thanked all ULRs and trade union officials in the region for working so hard and making the year a successful one.
Left: Katie Pratt, Equality South West Chief Executive Above: Delegates at the conference Images: Clint Randall www.pixelphotography.co.uk
Helen Cole, Regional Manager for South West unionlearn
She said: “Given the extreme difficulties we’re facing economically and industrially, it’s a real testament to everyone here that our work with unions and learning and skills is still going on, and that we’re still bringing people into learning, still managing to network and still managing to organise trade unions generally. “What we’re doing is, I think, a real help to working people and to people who want to be working, and we need to keep on representing people and supporting them in the way we do – and in the way that only we can.”