Give unions bargaining rights on training issues

The TUC has raised concerns about aspects of the government's new white paper, Skills: getting on in business, getting on at work.

While welcoming the white paper overall, the TUC's response to the government noted that its strategy was highly skewed towards employers' needs rather than the lifelong learning needs of individuals - with no mechanism to ensure that employers provide training.

The TUC also noted that, despite incentives, many employers are still denying training opportunities to their workers; it called for statutory rights on collective bargaining and paid time off to train, as well as statutory levies on employers in sectors where they are failing to address skills problems.

Although the white paper recognised that union learning reps have worked with employers to tackle organisational and individual skills needs through learning agreements, the TUC was disappointed that the role of collective bargaining in raising skills levels was not recognised - even though it featured in the 2003 white paper, 21st century skills: realising our potential.

International research has confirmed that the "skills gap" between the UK and other European economies is explained by the presence of co-ordinated collective bargaining and employment rights in those countries, which generate productivity gains - but the white paper does not address this issue.

According to the TUC, demand for skills could be significantly increased if collective bargaining on training issues were made a legal right for unions in workplaces where they have recognition (including voluntary recognition).

"If we are serious about raising the level of skills in this country then employers must back training in the workplace, especially the 40% who currently offer no training whatsoever," Said TUC general secretary Brendan Barber. "Bosses must recognise the work of union learning reps and allow their staff either time off to train or some flexibility in their hours so they can take advantage of training available. Improving the skills base in this country has immeasurable benefits for both the economy and the individual."