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The benefits of learning

Learning provides all sorts of benefits to members, to the union, and to employers. Recent case studies conducted by unionlearn (the TUC) shows that when employers work positively with unions to promote learning the results can include:

  • Reduced sickness and absenteeism
  • Reduced error rates
  • Reduced staff turnover
  • Increased employee satisfaction
  • Employees becoming more willing to learn new things and take up the employer’s training 
  • Employees becoming more confident to apply for internal promotion
  • Improved industrial relations

Access to learning increases life and job opportunities and can help overcome barriers to promotion at work in a way which promotes diversity. PCS has helped women and black and ethnic minority members prepare for promotion to supervisory or management grades through its Women into Management and Achieve courses.
 

So learning activity can improve your life at work. It can improve your health, make you feel happier, and give you the confidence to participate in more training. You may also find that you feel more confident about applying for promotion and looking at a wider range of career choices. This is particularly true when you achieve a recognised qualification.
 

But as the unionlearn case studies show, learning benefits the employer as well.
 

This is true of all sorts of learning – not just job-related training such as word-processing. Non-vocational courses in subjects like holiday Spanish, aromatherapy or digital photography can also benefit the worker and the employer.
 

For example, PCS union learning reps in the Tax Collection Office in Preston persuaded management to set up a learning suite in the office. Management acknowledges that this has helped the business by raising performance and reducing sick absence.
 

However to get the most benefit from learning the employer must:

  • Work with the unions and support the development of union learning representatives
  • Provide support (money, time and facilities) for wider learning that goes beyond immediate business need.