6 July 2022 – 18:00 pm – 20:00 pm

 Online via Zoom, please book at this link: https://www.history.ac.uk/events/trade-union-education-history-and-future

This seminar will explore the history of Trade Union Education – both learning for activists and broader learning for members. It will discuss current issues and how to shape future Trade Union Learning. It aims to guide the planning for a much larger all-day conference in early February 2023.

Join us for a lively debate on a highly topical area. The loss of the Union Learning Fund and almost all Trade Union Education funding was of course deplorable. On the other hand, the Unison College shows the appetite for growth and new ideas. There is almost universal agreement that UK skills are comparatively low, yet government funding in Adult Education and employer investment in skills remain completely inadequate. The Pandemic has shown the capability of online learning, helping thousands of Union members and activists to access education, including many women and others who might previously have found it difficult to find time to travel to a classroom – but is this at the cost of face to face solidarity? What is the role for Unions in their members’ education?

ChairProfessor John Holford of Nottingham University who will both Chair and provide an initial historical overview, looking at the key issues including the role of employers, funding from government, the Trade Union Curriculum, the role of the TUC and meeting the needs of a rapidly changing trade Union membership.

Speakers:

  • Teresa Donegan (Head of Learning at Unison)
  • Kevin Rowan (Head of Organising, Services and Learning at the TUC)
  • John Lloyd (Academic and former Trade Union National Education Officer)