Learning attracts new women reps

A new TUC survey of union learning reps has found that more than one in four had never had a union role before, and that nearly two in three (59%) of these new reps are women.

More than 6% of learning reps are from an ethnic minority, compared to 2% in a similar survey conducted in 2000.

The survey, carried out by York Consulting for the TUC, also reports considerably increased activity since union learning reps were given legal status.

More than half (55%) say they have helped colleagues with little or no experience of learning; nearly three in four (71%) have encouraged colleagues to continue learning; one in three (33%) have helped colleagues improve basic skills; and one in four (26%) say they have increased interest in union membership.

The commonest learning need identified in workplaces was help with basic IT skills (84%), closely followed by basic skills (64%) and vocational qualifications (58%). One in five reported a need for English as a second language training.

Half the reps say they have a formal learning agreement with their employer with half of these saying this was as part of a wider partnership agreement.