UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis today (Friday) received an honorary degree from the Open University, marking his “commitment to lifelong, life-changing learning” in public services.
At the ceremony in London’s Barbican Centre, the citation for Dave Prentis honoured his belief in: “Education regardless of class, education regardless of geography, and education that changes lives.”
Under his leadership, UNISON established a specialist education department and later negotiated a partnership with the Open University (OU). This has lead to more than 6,500 UNISON members studying an accredited OU course, and thousands more benefiting from informal workshops and seminars on topics ranging from end-of-life care to dementia awareness.
Many of these students have gone on to study full-time or acquire qualifications that have been the starting point for new careers.
Dave’s degree citation reads: “That’s the most powerful thing about this partnership – it has the power to change lives. And it is Dave’s commitment to lifelong learning – and the role of the trade union movement in providing it – that makes these life-changing experiences possible.”
Receiving the award, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “I am proud to accept this degree on behalf of all our thousands of UNISON union learning reps who give their time, their commitment and their passion to helping other people experience the transforming power of learning. They are the unsung heroes who help to change people’s lives for the better.
“Thousands of public sector workers, many without formal qualifications, are improving their prospects by studying with the Open University. Everyone is entitled to an education and this is the sort of investment we need to help public sector workers build a better future.”