Union launches learning fund replacement

The PCS civil service union has launched a new national learning programme for members in response to the government’s abolition of the England Union Learning Fund (ULF).

The programme includes online workshops and courses delivered through its PCS Academy, and provides learning in the core subjects previously run by the ULF.

The union is also launching a campaign to recruit more union learning reps (ULRs) and reinvigorate its ULR network post-lockdown.

National learning organiser Kim Hendry said, while it was “a major blow when we lost our team of wonderful regional learning organisers”, there were benefits of the fact that future national learning events will be for PCS members only. “It’s a powerful recruitment and organising tool, and gaining access to our learning will hopefully become a major reason to join PCS.”