Derek Vaughan MEP joined Nia Griffith MP and Keith Davies AM on a visit to the Llanelli Tesco ‘s store on Friday to meet Usdaw trade union members who are taking up opportunities to improve their skills. With financial support from the European Union and from Welsh Government and practical organising support from Usdaw trade union reps, the Wales Union Learning Fund is enabling employees to learn new skills. Locally Tesco’s support the scheme by allowing their employees time off – for a two hour session, the employee puts in one hour of their own time whilst Tesco contributes the other hour as an hour off work.
Derek Vaughan MEP, who has a track record in scrutinising EU expenditure to ensure that funding is invested effectively in projects that will make a difference to European citizens, commented, “I believe that it is vital for me to get out and see what is being done with European funds and how people on the ground here in Wales are benefitting. Upskilling our workforce is key to competing in the global economy, and I commend the work that trade unions like Usdaw are doing.”
Nia Griffith MP commented,
“One of the key features of the work that USDAW is doing through the Wales Union Learning Fund is to offer encouragement and support to people who are too busy or lack the confidence to go and look for courses elsewhere. Often, just having that initial opportunity, with some time off from the employer, in recognition of the value of upskilling, can make the world of difference, and help people, including those whose memories of school are rather negative, to improve their skills.”