GFTU BGCM 2019 Minutes

Opening up the scope of access to education in GFTU will encourage new

individuals the opportunity to gain access to trade union education and engage

with a whole new generation of activists to be qualified and empowered in

dealing with employers, industry and politics in a post Brexit world.

To open up the education access to all countrywide will equip the GFTU for

the future in addressing the increasing and progressive power of the trade

union movement.

Therefore SUE requests that:

• A feasibility Working Group is created to work towards opening access

and removing barriers to education at the GFTU and especially those

who are unable to travel to Leicestershire for block courses

• Regional areas to be selected as pilots to deliver a new way to access

trade union education with the GFTU

• Expanding the online learning pool modules, to look at the feasibility of a

designated regional mentor for support when completing online courses.

She said: I would like to think that we have saved the best until last. That is

what has kept me going for the last three days! I am Sarah Keig and I am

the Assistant National Secretary for SUE, the Society of Union Employees.

Conference, as a first time attendee and speaker at conference the last few

days have shown me what fantastic educational opportunities are available

to our members, from the great work being done at Ruskin and Northern

Colleges, Colin’s trailblazing work on the apprenticeship scheme and the

work announced by Doug that GFTU are looking to expand the educational

programme and are working with an independent consultant to do this.

Seven years ago I joined SUE and was immediately welcomed into the

union by our then Education Officer, Angela Gerrard. Angela forwarded a

list of courses and encouraged me and many other members to attend. I

took full advantage of the opportunities given to me, attending weekend

courses on stewards training, negotiating skills and employment law. As a

single woman with no dependents and no caring responsibilities living not

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