Union Learning Fund boost

Learning in the workplace will now be cheaper for thousands of Usdaw members thanks to pressure from Usdaw to change the Workplace Learning Funding Rules.

Up until September 2002, the funding rules assumed that the employer commissioned most learning in the workplace. This meant that, in reality, doing a course at work could be more expensive than doing it outside of work.

Usdaw raised this with the minister for adult learning and now the regulations have been amended. The new rules mean that most of the learning that Usdaw learning reps arrange should receive the full public subsidy.

If you are involved in arranging learning in the workplace for Usdaw members, talk to the college you are working with and make sure they are applying the new rules. The regulations are complicated, if you have any problems contact the education department at central office.

Meanwhile, the Union Learning Fund (ULF) is set to benefit from a further £34 million in Government funding over the next three years. Ivan Lewis, the minister for adult learning made the announcement last month at a special conference.

The ULF helps trade union members access training and learning in the workplace. Over the past five years it has supported over 350 projects from over 50 unions, encouraging a large-scale take up of learning at work. The extra money will help trade unions to build on this success and give members more access to quality learning and training opportunities.

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