Memorandum submitted by the TGWU (GLOB 36A)

Access Across Wales - Summary of Aims Wales Union Learning Fund Project

T&GWU will build on the success of the "Access for All" project and extend the good practises developed on an all Wales basis.

The highly mobile nature of the migrant European workforce means that it is particularly difficult for many individuals to access learning and sustain it. This project aims to create a network of centres across Wales so that learners can access similar provision in a variety of locations across Wales and enable them to maintain some contact with key people and colleagues who are involved in the project.

The primary aim would be to develop a national network of provision that shares the same good practise and offers provision and links with all areas to support the workforce and to help them to integrate with local communities. This aim would be supported by networking closely with local community groups such as Communities First; BEST, Mewn Cymru; local police equalities officers; Commission for Racial Equality (CRE); and NWREN. All of these groups have been contacted within the initial project.

By incorporating the use of Citizenship materials produced by NIACE Dysgu Cymru and by the Basic Skills Agency existing work will be utilised. All tutors will be already trained or will engage in training on Basic Skills ESOL courses. An internet community will be established to maintain links between tutors in each area and between learners across Wales.

We will work with companies where there are identified groups of migrant workers and with agencies who are supplying personnel to these companies with the aim of helping both types of employer to raise standards of awareness of issues relating to this group of employees. We will also try to make the provision as flexible to the needs of employers and employees as possible. We will promote the role of the Union Learning Representative as a means of liasing between the educational providers and the companies and their employees. Tutors will make use of available facilities in Union Learning Centres; College premises; factory learning centres whichever is the most appropriate.

May 2007