This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Funding to improve learning opportunities
29/04/2005
More than £2.5 million will be invested in two learning
programmes to help workers develop and improve their
skills.
£1.4 million has been awarded to the Scottish Trades
Union Congress (STUC) for union learning services to
develop an infrastructure for learning.
And £1.25 million awarded to 25 Sector Skills Councils
to continue their work in addressing the skills needs of
industries.
Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Jim
Wallace said:
"Sector Skills Councils are about bringing employers,
employees and industry bodies together to improve skills
and identify future needs. Our top priority is continued
economic growth.
"We can only hope to achieve this by ensuring everyone
has the opportunities they need to reach their full
potential. The investment we are announcing today will not
only help individuals, but will ensure Scotland's workforce
has the skills necessary to ensure we can compete in
today's dynamic global market."
Christopher Duff, Chief Executive of the Sector Skills
Development Agency said:
"This additional funding is good news for Scottish
employers. Thanks to this, we will be able to accelerate
the work we are doing to ensure that they get the right
people with the right skills at the right time, making
Scotland an even better place in which to live and
work."
Deputy Enterprise Minister Allan Wilson said:
"Unions can play a crucial role in delivering our
lifelong learning agenda. They are able to reach employees
directly and ensure employees are able to take up the
learning opportunities available to them.
"The money we are announcing today will help improve the
infrastructure through which unions promote workplace
learning. It will allow the STUC to develop a union
learning service in parallel with developments in England
and Wales. This is good news for employees, unions and the
Scottish economy as a whole."
STUC Deputy General Secretary Grahame Smith said:
"The STUC warmly welcomes this award of funding from the
Executive, recognising as it does our success in
encouraging, supporting and providing access to skills and
learning opportunities for trade union members in
Scotland.
"This funding will allow the STUC and its affiliates to
develop, improve and expand the work we currently carry
out, in partnership with the Executive and others, to
benefit many more trade union members, and workplaces
throughout Scotland."