Introduction To CWU Education

Union learning is lifelong learning. It helps you to get from where you are now to where you want to go. We all have skills gaps. We have things we can do well and things we would like to improve or even learn from scratch.

CWU Education can help you find the courses you want to take – including hobbies, professional qualifications, English, maths and IT. Whatever it is you need to learn, we should be able to help you find it.

New technology, globalisation and the climate crisis are changing the skills we need for work. The CBI reports that 9 out of 10 workers will need to learn new skills by 2030. 94% of companies in the UK acknowledge that they have skills gaps but only 37% are confident that they are investing enough to meet their needs. 17% of companies have not invested in education in the past five years, and the workers whose jobs are at most risk get the least investment in training.

Even in the 21st century, income is still a determining factor in education. Around 20% of the British population have difficulties with literacy and numeracy. Others have not yet had the opportunity to gain IT skills. These are systemic problems but they can affect a person’s confidence and life chances.

We recognise that if you have had a bad experience in education, it can make you reluctant to come back – but give it a try. A lot of us have been in the same position and ended up surprising ourselves by what we have achieved. You are not alone! We have a network of Union Learning Reps (ULRs) across the country; people just like you, who have rediscovered learning in adult life and now devote their time to helping their workmates to do the same.

Why not start today? In the Member Courses section of this website, you will find hundreds of courses covering a huge range of subjects. If you would prefer face-to-face or classroom-based learning, please contact your branch ULR, who will be happy to help.