TUC and Show Racism the Red Card to commit to working together at Unionlearn conference

Paul Mortimer will address conference about the work of Show Racism the Red Card

Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Vince Cable MP, as well as ex-Premiership footballers Fabrice Muamba and Paul Mortimer, will be among the speakers at the annual unionlearn conference, taking place in central London on Monday (28 October).

Skills for Growth will focus on how best to develop the skills of individuals and communities, as well as ensuring that training courses meet the needs of a modern workforce.

The day also has a football theme with Paul Mortimer, an ex-Charlton Athletic player who now works for Show Racism the Red Card, signing a memorandum of understanding with TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady which commits the two organisations to working together in their education programmes. Paul will later explain how Show Racism the Red Card and unionlearn intend to work together when he addresses the conference.

The football theme continues into the afternoon when ex-Bolton Wanderers star Fabrice Muamba leads a workshop on inspiring stories from learners.

Other speakers at the event include Charlie Mayfield, Chairman of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills and Chairman of John Lewis, and Veronica Henry, internationally-renowned author, TV script writer and journalist, as well as  ‘Quick Reads’ author.

Frances opens the conference with a speech on her vision for learning and skills. Vince Cable and Charlie Mayfield will then address delegates before taking part in a 15-minute Q&A. Vince Cable and Frances O’Grady will also hand out quality awards to various colleges and learning providers.

A panel discussion on how high quality apprenticeships can help deliver the skills needed for economic growth will include contributions from Tom Wilson, unionlearn director, Karen Woodward, Interim National Director for apprenticeships at the Skills Funding Agency, Tim Thomas, Head of Skills and Employment Policy at EEF the manufacturers’ organisation and Alison Fuller, Professor of Vocational Education and Work at the Institute of Education.

Veronica Henry will finish off the morning session by talking about how she got involved with Quick Reads.

Skills for growth will take place at Congress House, Great Russell Street, London from 10am to 3pm.

Any journalists wishing to attend the conference or obtain pictures of it should speak to the TUC press office.

Programme for conference:

•            10.10am – Frances O’Grady to address conference, followed by Vince Cable and Charlie Mayfield

•             11.05am Q&A session

•             11.15am Quality awards handed out

•             11.30am Panel discussion on apprenticeships

•             12.05pm Paul Mortimer to address conference

•             12.15pm Veronica Henry to address conference

•             1.20pm Afternoon session starts with workshops on a range of issues including traineeships, apprenticeships and inspiring stories for learners.