The 2023 Union Learn Conference was held today in the MAC in Belfast. Over 50 Union Learning Reps and Project Managers gathered to share knowledge and experience and become over more enthused for the coming terms.
The conference was addressed by friends and experts from the field of lifelong learning. After an introduction from ICTU AGS Gerry Murphy, Jenny McConnell (SERC) and Fallon McCrea (UDSAW ULR at Tesco) outlined recent and future successes. Kathleen McMahon from the Royal Literary Fund followed and Roisin Graham (NIPSA) wrapped up the first session.
The second half of the agenda was about emerging relations with old friends and partners. Sinead O’Regan outlined the operations with unions in Belfast City Council’s Labour Market Partnership. As part of a joint initiative, Maggie Bates of the Open University in Ireland (the OU) and NIC ICTU launched a free online learning hub aimed at providing valuable education resources to workers and their families.
The online learning hub offers a range of courses, articles and videos, covering subjects such as IT and digital skills, employability, health & social care, and essential skills in English and maths. The courses are designed to be flexible, allowing learners to study at their own pace and fit their learning around their work and family commitments.
Speaking at the Union Learn conference, John D’Arcy, Director of The Open University in Ireland, said
We are delighted to partner with NIC ICTU to offer free online learning opportunities to workers across Northern Ireland. Education and skills are key to improving people’s lives and increasing their employment opportunities. With the online learning hub, we aim to provide accessible, high-quality learning resources to workers across Northern Ireland, regardless of their background or experience.
Gerry Murphy also welcomed the initiative, saying,
In today’s rapidly changing world of work, it is more important than ever for workers to continuously update their skills and knowledge. The online learning hub provides an excellent opportunity for workers to upskill and reskill, helping to improve their job prospects and enhance their quality of life.
The launch of the online learning hub comes at a time when workers across Northern Ireland are facing significant challenges. The platform offers a much-needed lifeline to workers who may be affected by the cost-of-living challenges, providing them with the free skills and knowledge they need to adapt to the changing world of work.
The hub is open to all workers, whether or not they are members of the trade union. To access the courses, learners simply need to visit The OU’s OpenLearn website. The courses are free of charge, learners can study at their own pace, with no deadlines or exams to worry about.
The OU in Ireland and NIC ICTU are committed to supporting workers in Northern Ireland and providing them with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in today’s fast-changing world of work. The launch of the online learning hub is a significant step towards achieving this goal.
