THE Northern TUC is launching a new forum next week designed to help trade unionists play a more effective role in the Government's lifelong learning agenda.

The 'Education, Learning & Skills Forum', will bring together union Officers and representatives engaged in the new Learning & Skills Councils, Lifelong Learning Partnerships and work place based Workforce Development projects - as well as TUC tutors from local colleges.

Over the last 12 months the Northern TUC's workforce development project, which is jointly funded by the five North East TEC's, has successfully worked with unions and employers in the region on a range of projects aimed at improving skills and learning opportunities.

One result of this work is that there are now nearly 200 trained union 'learning representatives' in workplaces across the region.

Speaking about the launch of the new forum, TUC regional secretary Paul Nowak said, 'This new Forum is an important element of the TUC's continuing work with union members and their employers to tackle the skills deficit faced by our region. The TUC is committed to working with the new LSC's, One NorthEast and employers to put learning at the top of the region's agenda.'

In addition, the Workforce Development Project has recently launched an ambitious programme aimed at tackling the region's poor record on basic skills - literacy and numeracy.

The North East is bottom of the regional league tables in terms of reading, writing and number skills. Last year the Government sponsored Moser report "A Fresh Start" indicated that in the UK 23 per cent of the population have problems with basic reading and writing skills.