The NIC ICTU Union Learning Conference was held on Thursday 14th March 2024 in the Ebrington Hotel, Derry.
The event brings trade union educators providing workplace education from essential skills in maths and literacy to OU degrees and nursing qualifications.
Opening the conference, ICTU Assistant General Secretary Gerry Murphy told 80 trade union delegates and guests that
We have the access and experience and understanding of almost every sector of the economy as it impacts the wages of workers, the quality of its products and services. We include local councils, accessible education such as North West Regional College and our good friends at the Open University.
We include people who deliver public services in schools, in hospitals, in manufacturing in food processing and retail.
We have delivered thousands of qualifications to thousands of working people whose lives and livelihoods have been transformed and improved by the dedication of people in this room.
These are the products of not only skills strategies and computer terminals, but basic human empathy, the most important qualification for either a good teacher or an effective union rep.
The conference also heard the expertise and experience of Union Learn project leaders and supporters from Dept for the Economy, North West Regional College, Open University, Derry City & Strabane District Council and the Nevin Economic Research Institute.
The conference was also attended by Foyle MLAs serving also on the NI Assembly’s Economy Committee, Padraig Delargy and Sinead McLaughlin.
Click here for the Conference presentation
