Usdaw says Education Ministers response to English language training provision encouraging

Retail union Usdaw has welcomed Education Minister Bill Rammell’s encouraging response to concerns raised by the union over proposed changes to how English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses are funded.

The Minister made his comments in speech yesterday addressing some of the concerns raised by a broad coalition of unions and employers that the proposed changes to funding would mean students would have to pay for their courses.

Usdaw believes that proposed changes introducing course fees would be a barrier to migrant workers, including hundreds of Usdaw members, taking up ESOL courses.

“Usdaw has been at the forefront of the debate about the proposed changes to funding and we regard Bill Rammell’s commitment to sit down with unions, employers and other stakeholders to discuss the future of ESOL as a very encouraging step forward,” says Usdaw General Secretary John Hannett.

“Many migrant workers find work in the retail sector, particularly the distribution network, when they join the workforce and our experience is that ESOL is hugely popular with migrant workers keen to learn English as quickly as possible. Last year alone, hundreds of Usdaw members took advantage of ESOL classes.

“Usdaw has an outstanding track record in providing ESOL courses which benefit all of us by creating a fully integrated workforce.

“There is no doubt that improved language skills mean vulnerable workers are less likely to be exploited and are essential in maintaining health and safety standards in the workplace and making sure there is greater social inclusion for migrant workers.

“Usdaw works with employers to provide ESOL courses and we believe that employers should make some contributions to the cost of ESOL courses and some do but many won't without regulation to make them contribute.

“We look forward to sitting down with Bill Rammell to discuss the future of ESOL which benefits so many of our members and take a considered view of who pays what in the future.”

• For more information visit: www.usdaw.org.uk/campaigns/esol/

Notes to Editors:

• Contacts for newsdesks: Usdaw’s Media Officer, Paul Clarke, can be contacted on 0161 249 2469 or e-mail paul.clarke@usdaw.org.uk.
• Usdaw (the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK’s fifth biggest trade union, with over 340,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
• More information and news releases are available at our online Newsroom.
• Journalists can subscribe to receive Usdaw news releases via our online e-news service.

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