Sturgeon announces trade union skills boost

A fund which enables trade union members in Scotland to access training to enhance their skills and qualifications is to be boosted by additional funding from the Scottish Government, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced.

The Scottish Union Learning Fund, which supports around 10,000 learners every year in courses from digital skills, literacy and numeracy, to specific on the job qualifications.

Speaking to the annual Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) at Ayr racecourse today, the First Minister announced an additional £840,000 for the fund on top of the existing £1.4m already allocated.

“A highly-skilled workforce is something which will drive growth in the Scottish economy and I’m committed to making workplace training and development open to all,” she said.

Sturgeon told delegates she championed “the positive role unions play”, and said the Scottish Government “will always listen to your views and continue to build on the positive relationship that we have".

The announcement is seen as an attempt to woo a trade union movement traditionally affiliated with the Labour party.

The STUC is not directly connected to Labour, but some of its largest unions such as Unite, Unison and the GMB are in the party. Labour leader Ed Miliband had told the congress yesterday: “The battle to build a country that works for working people is the story of our movement. And here in Scotland you have always answered the call.”

But Sturgeon highlighted her gender-balanced cabinet and the SNP manifesto pledge for an increase in the minimum wage to £8.70 by 2020. “Your voice is valued, your voice is important, and I want your voice always to be heard,” she said.