news and events

Cartoon of person looking at an events calendar

This section contains the latest news and upcoming events around trade union learning in Northern Ireland.

Get money off vouchers and free promotional items from Quick Reads

You and your colleagues can now get £1 off vouchers and free promotional items from 'Quick Reads'
If you are involved in workplace learning this is an offer you won't refuse. You can help yourself and others to get any of the 12 new Quick Reads books and save £1. You can also get some great free promotional materials.

Visit the Quick Reads website now at http://www.niace.org.uk/quickreads/tokens.html. Here you will be able to download the money saving voucher and order posters, pens, mugs, pencils, bookmarks, erasers, window stickers from the site. You can also order materials by calling 0116 204 7072.

You will be able to buy the books from Thursday 18 May, when they will be in the shops. This important initiative aims to make books and reading accessible to all.

How can you help

Print off the £1 voucher (pdf) and give them out at work to encourage others. People can have as many vouchers as they like
Order and give out the pens, bookmarks etc to promote the initiative http://www.niace.org.uk/quickreads/tokens.html
Put up some posters on noticeboard
Tell anyone in your workplace about Quick Reads who would like to read more or improve their reading.
How about going to a branch of Asda, WHSmith,, Waterstones, or participating independent bookshops on or after 18 May to help your colleague choose a Quick Reads books?

Hain gives thumbs up for trade union learning

Secretary of State Peter Hain MP announced a cash injection for trade union learning at the NIC ICTU Unions Learn conference, 29 March, Belfast.

Pledging the Government’s continued commitment to the Northern Ireland Union Learning Fund and to expanding and developing the role of the trade unions in encouraging the uptake of skills training, Peter Hain told delegates
“Unions have always recognised the value of encouraging learning among members and in-work education. In partnership with employers and training and learning providers through the Union Learning Fund you are building the necessary capacity and skills base for future economic success.”

NIC ICTU’s Clare Moore said “through the Union Learning Fund, trade unions have been working in partnership with major Northern Ireland employers to encourage people back into learning.”

“Trade unions are ideally placed to support workers to return to learn and brush up on their skills. Through our network of union learning representatives we can work in partnership with employers and learners to ensure that a culture of learning is developed in the workplace,” she said.

“ We are very encouraged that the vital role of the trade union movement has been recognised by government and that there has been a renewed commitment to the Union Learning Fund in Northern Ireland."

Click here for a full version of Peter Hain's speech to the Unions Learn conference.

resources

workplace innovation fund