Skills minister hears how unions and employers work together

Collaborative working between unions and employers on skills development is the way to ensure modern workplaces are geared up for the challenges of the twenty first century. This is the message that Skills Minister David Lammy MP will hear at the first joint conference to be organised between an individual Sector Skills Council and the TUC's learning and skills organisation unionlearn, where TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber will also speak.

The conference 'Working Together for Learners' takes place today at TUC's Congress House in London. The Minister will hear at first hand how Union Learning Representatives ( ULRs ) and employers in passenger transport are working together to raise the skills levels of people employed in the sector. He will also present certificates acknowledging the commitment companies have shown to skills development.

David Lammy said:

'I am looking forward to this conference and celebrating the success of partnership working in passenger transport. I hope to see more of these types of event so we can demonstrate good practice and grow the numbers of employers committing to skills development. This Government's skills strategy will achieve social justice and economic success by meeting the needs of both employers and employees. The national network of Union Learning Representatives and employer-led Sector Skills Councils we have set up are working together so we can give people the skills they need for good jobs and ensure we have the productivity to remain competitive in the world."

Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary said:

'Unionlearn's work with GoSkills , the Sector Skills Council for Passenger Transport, is bringing together employers, Union Learning Reps, and trade unions, so that we can make a serious contribution to raising skills. By introducing the Skills Pledge, the Government has shown its commitment to workplace training and education and I call upon employers to take up the challenge. Sign the Skills Pledge, train your workforce and make the UK more competitive'

GoSkills ' Chief Executive, Peter Huntington, said:

'We prize the relationship we are developing with unionlearn. It's in our interests, as we can take the GoSkills message further. It's in the interests of learners and it's certainly in the interests of our employers that all are pulling together in the same direction for a fully skilled, adaptable workforce.'

The conference is designed to spread the word to a wider audience and will use case studies to show what is working well. Following short speeches delegates will have the opportunity to put questions to the Minister, Brendan Barber and GoSkills ' Chief Executive, Peter Huntington.

In the afternoon delegates will move on to a series of workshop that explore some of the skills issues and developments in qualifications, funding and the impact of legislation such as the new PCV Driver CPC.

Members of the Work Place Learning Centre team are available to provide journalists and media organisations with expert comment on all aspects of learning at work.

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