New funding for Scottish learners

The Scottish Trades Union Congress has welcomed a new funding scheme for adult learners.

The new Individual Learning Account (ILA) Scotland offers £200 to encourage over-18s with an income of £15,000 or less back into education. Later this year it will be extended to offer £100 a year to people (regardless of their income) studying information and communications technology.

For both offers, learners will be asked to contribute at least £10 for each course they undertake.

"This initiative will bring much-needed funding for learning opportunities to many union members," said STUC deputy general secretary Grahame Smith. "It will also strengthen the role that unions have in the promotion of and support for learning in workplaces throughout Scotland."

For details of the ILA Scotland, call 0808 100 1090.