Report - Fire Brigades Union

SECTION H — EDUCATION
officials who have encouraged these outstanding levels of
participation are thanked for their continuing effort in
supporting the training and development of our officials.
H8 Tutors
In accordance with the policy of the FBU, all trade union
education tutors used on courses should be TUC-approved
tutors, except in exceptional cases where a TUC tutor is not
available.
The executive council wishes to place on record its thanks to all
tutors and officials who have assisted in the union’s education
provision throughout the period covered by this report.
The executive council would like to thank in particular for their
contribution to the education programme for officials and active
members: John Botterill, Katherine Fry, Julie Heselwood,
Catharyn Lawrence and Neil Harrison, TUC tutors, Leeds City
College, Department of Trade Union Studies; Paddy
Hutchinson, TUC tutor, Newcastle College, Department of
Trade Union Studies; Richard Young, TUC tutor, Bridgend
College, Department of Trade Union Studies; and Brian
Corrigan, TUC tutor, Stow College, Glasgow.
H9 Union Learning Fund
It was pleasing to report that following the submission of a
new FBU Union Learning Fund (ULF) bid at the end of 2009,
approval was given to a further £1m of funding over two years
(2010-2012), but with the caveat that second year contractual
arrangements would be reviewed following the general
election given the possibility of a new government being
elected.
The focus of the FBU ULF project bid was built on future
sustainability and, with the agreement of senior officials, the
delivery of previous projects was reviewed with a
recommendation that the number of project workers should be
reduced. This resulted in the reorganisation of the ULF team
and the reduction of the nine regional coordinators to five
project support organisers (PSOs) with wider responsibilities.
These new posts were advertised throughout the union and,
following interview, the five PSOs were appointed during
February and March 2010.
In November 2010 the new government announced its skills
strategy, which included plaudits for the work done in
increasing the skills and qualifications of workers through
Unionlearn, the ULF and union learning representatives (ULRs).
Further to this was a commitment to maintain the current
levels of investment in the ULF. Given the proposed reductions
in funding across so many different areas of public life and the
abolition of numerous quangos this can only be seen as a
massive vindication for the investment in the ULF and
acknowledgment of the role that unions play in delivering
learning and education on behalf of their members.
Unfortunately not all is so positive within the skills strategy and
there are numerous changes to the way that further education
funding and the funding of qualifications will be allocated –
especially for adults. The introduction of a “shared cost” for
Skills for Life qualifications and a no-funding clause for Level 3
learners (outside of an apprenticeship) are just a couple that
come out of the strategy. And, of course, we should not forget
the imposition of a huge fee increase for higher education. The
FBU ULF staff and FBU ULRs will continue to support and
offer guidance on access to qualifications and guide our
members on costs and who pays.
The ULF has provided the FBU with the opportunity to make
further progress in embedding and mainstreaming lifelong
learning across the union structure and, importantly, to allow
us to continue in the delivery of learning opportunities to
thousands of FBU members, families and friends. The FBU
continues to sit on the Unionlearn Advisory Group and on the
Unionlearn U-net Steering Group.
The FBU ULF has engaged with over 20,000 members.
Around 8,000 members have obtained qualifications in
subjects such as numeracy, literacy, information technology
and leadership and management.
During the last year the project has widened its ability to deliver
qualifications and following approval from the executive council
has been involved in two pilot areas. Firstly, in conjunction with
Wigan and Leigh College we have provided over 500 courses in
leadership and management and, secondly, have provided a
distance learning health and safety course.
The health and safety course has particular relevance. Using
resource materials from the distance learning company
Tribal, badged with the FBU logo, the course is being delivered
by our own project staff and accredited through the national
awarding body NCFE via the FBU learning centre in
Northumberland FRS HQ. It is, in effect, the first such course
that the FBU has overall responsibility for and all 30 courses
were snapped up by FBU members within days of being made
available!
The ongoing take-up of courses by FBU members confirms
that lifelong learning provision is another clear benefit of being
a member of the FBU.
The 2010 National ULR School was held in July at Wortley Hall,
Sheffield and as with previous years’ schools, was fully
subscribed. The programme covered: developing union learning,
workforce development, the right to request time off to train,
and dyslexia. Guest speaker Tom Wilson, director of Unionlearn,
covered the changing political climate for union learning.
A joint seminar between the ULF project staff and the regional
education and learning organisers (RELOs) took place at Stoke
Rochford Hall, Lincolnshire. This was held as part of the
transfer of knowledge and responsibility from the ULF team to
RELOs as agreed by annual conference.
FBU Annual Report 2011 147