ABSTRACT
It is clear from the variety of chapters in this book that the field of trade union learning is diverse and rich in its contribution to a number of agendas in the study and practice of education, work and employment relations. This concluding chapter brings together analysis of the various agendas and outcomes of the learning, recognising a likely symbiotic relationship between outcomes for individual learners in a ‘learning society’ and outcomes for the union movement as a whole. Important discussion has taken place about the ways in which union learning and education is influenced by union organisation and bargaining strategies and, in turn, the ways in which union organisation and bargaining strategies are influenced by union learning and education. This has relevance not only to the union movement and individual learners within it, but also to government and other players, such as educationalists and trainers, with an interest in skill, economic and social policy. This chapter provides both a critique and a review of success of union learning and related union renewal, drawing upon the previous analyses across the union education, training and learning spectrum, and it concludes with pointers for future developments in practice and research for those involved with this agenda.
