Motion: 9th Annual STUC Helen Dowie Award for Lifelong Learning

9th Annual STUC Helen Dowie Award for Lifelong Learning

Lodged by Michael McMahon Standard Motion 28 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament congratulates Willie Brennan from Uddingston, a Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) Union Learning Representative (ULR) at Dawnfresh Seafoods in Uddingston, on receiving the 9th Annual STUC Helen Dowie Award for Lifelong Learning; notes that the award is sponsored by the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Partnership; understands that Willie persuaded management at Dawnfresh to recognise the importance of establishing a workplace learning steering group, whereby the BFAWU, the employer and Scottish Union Learning could meet to discuss learning and drive opportunities forward in the workplace; considers that Willie’s work in lifelong learning has allowed many of his colleagues to undertake positive learning steps to enhance their long-term employability; understands that this was achieved through Willie’s tenacity at a time of tense industrial relations and that as a direct result there is now a route for employees to progress into management and other areas of work in the business; notes that, in January 2014, the BFAWU organised a diversity course through the Learning Fund and that the entire Dawnfresh workforce of some 260 employees were given paid release to attend the course during their normal shifts; considers that the success of the new learning partnership between the union and the employer has raised the profile of the business and that Marks and Spencer, a major client of Dawnfresh Seafoods, is using the partnership of BFAWU and Dawnfresh as a case study of good practice in the sector, and believes that, through his role as a ULR, Willie Brennan has transformed the way in which learning is delivered in his workplace.

Supporters (28)