NUJ in Scotland

Whilst the Union Learning Fund in England was axed 5 years ago, those in Scotland and Wales continue to flourish. This week, I was really fortunate to talk to Joan MacDonald, Training Manager for the NUJ in Scotland - and I was more than a little taken aback.

First of all, the NUJ did not start their work around lifelong learning with the advent of the ULF. In fact, in 'The National Union of Journalists – A Jubilee History 1907-1957' by Clement J Bundock, HT Hamson was described as "our first great educationalist" before WWII. The NUJ have carried that legacy forward and now, in Scotland, runs an extraordinarily advanced learning programme.

Benefitting from its status as an occupational union, the NUJ can provide specific, focused education - which they do very well - and can react to the changes in the industry.

Courses cover a wide variety including legal (Contempt, Copyright, libel, Freedom of Information etc), technical (Adobe, filming and photography using drones etc), management, and much more. The NUJ hasn't solely relied on the ULF - they've secured funding from Europe, The Scottish Parliament, and employers. This provides a level of sustainability that many English projects lacked. A fascinating dimension here is how unions in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland enjoy access to bodies, politicians and key individuals - something that's far less common in England. Something to explore....