Unions link with Investors in People to boost workplace skills

Investors in People and Unionlearn, the TUC’s workplace learning arm, have signed an agreement to work together to promote learning and skills at work.

They have pledged to promote one another’s roles in encouraging more workplaces to implement the Investors in People Standard, and to provide and advocate Skills for Life courses.

In addition, Investors in People UK will share Unionlearn platforms to run the newly-developed ‘Engaging in Investors in People’ course.

The idea is to maximise the potential of workers and employers by positively recognising the role of unions and union learning representatives, as well as highlighting the business benefits of employee development.

The agreement also aims to ensure equality and diversity, promote continuous professional development, lifelong learning, and respect for people at work. And it will seek ways to help more people access literacy, numeracy and English courses for speakers of other languages.

Brendan Barber, TUC general secretary, said: “Together we will actively work to make sure that greater numbers of employers and workers take up the learning challenge and boost their organisations’ effectiveness.”

Ruth Spellman, chief executive of Investors in People UK, added: “Employees are central to the success of any organisation and there is good evidence to suggest that those who invest in their staff’s training and development enjoy lower employee turnover, higher productivity and improved staff morale.”