4. Statement by the Minister for Welsh Language and Lifelong Learning: Progress Report on the Employability Plan

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:30 pm on 18 September 2018.

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Photo of Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan Labour 4:30, 18 September 2018

Yes. So, I think what's important is that we do understand the really important role that the trade unions could play in the workplace, and through funding things like the Wales Union Learning Fund programme, what we found is that, actually, a lot of people who may not have the confidence to go about looking for support from their employers are willing to do that through the trade union route, and it's given a real opportunity for people within work to develop. And we've given that money specifically to the trade unions.

Now, I think you're right: we need to broaden our approach to trade unions in relation to the broader programme. So, what is it that they can do to help us, for example, to convince people within their organisations that, actually, they can be helping us to drive the number of people who are disabled in the workplace? So, I think we need to kind of mainstream them and work with them to work on the employers, because I do think that that's the area, when we've spoken to them—people seem to be open to helping us out, but somebody needs to push from within the organisation. So, I'm hoping that that's a role that the trade unions might be willing to take on.