Funded Projects
We have been very fortunate in recent years to receive financial support from the Union Learning Fund. This is government money and we invest it in buiding our capacity to contribute to the raising of skills levels where we can.
Current projects
Union Learning Fund (ULF) projects are usually funded for a fixed period and at the moment there are two projects currently running, a national project and a regional project in the South West. The South West project is supported by the regional fund 'Learning Works for All' while the national project is a strategic project funded by the ULF.
'Promoting Skills in the Creative Industries'
This is a national project managed by Kate Elliott and employing two further Learning organisers, Yvonne Smith and John Crumpton (based in Manchester). The project is designed to promote skills development in all the sectors in which BECTU has members. It is a 3-year project and is renewed annually depending on the achievement of agreed targets with the Union Learning Fund team.
The key targets include commissioning and running courses where there are gaps in provision so as to encourage a culture of learning. Other targets include appointing, training and supporting Union Leanring Representatives to signpost members to training opportunities, support local union learning centres and secure joint learning agreements with key employers.
'Technical Workshops in Theatre'
This a regional project managed my Martin Roberts Chief Steward at the Princess Theatre Torquay, ULR and Chair of the A&E Divisional Committee. The project is designed to provide introductory workshops (1-2 days) in areas such as lighting and electrics for theatre workers in the South west of England with special attention paid to casual, part-time and freelancer workers. Support for the project has come from the Live Nation Theatres and Unionlearn South West.
Perhaps the most innovative aspects of the project have been the inclusion of workers who find access to training very difficult and also the outreach to smaller theatres without the capacity to delier their own training.