Types of Workers' Education Benefits. Topic Paper No. 5.

Negotiated educational benefits represent the larger part of union involvement in membership education and training. In order of program incidence within contracts, the six major forms are (1) apprenticeship programs, (2) on-the-job training plans, (3) tuition aid plans, (4) educational leave and leave of absence plans, (5) education and training trust fund plans, and (6) scholarship and loan plans. The latter four emphasize access by workers to learning opportunities in postsecondary education institutions and other settings and emphasize skill and knowledge formation not limited to performance of a specified job or occupation. Unionized workers place high value on education. Nonuse stems from a combination of personal fears about ability, lack of encouragement, and scheduling difficulties. Successful educational benefit programs have leadership and institutional support of membership utilization of negotiated benefits, ongoing operation and promotion of the benefit program, and linkages with local education providers. Most successful benefit plans contain the following provisions and features: board eligibility criteria, simplified and flexible application approval procedures, board course coverage, liberal financing provisions, flexibility of work and education scheduling, provision for career and/or educational counseling, and active plan promotion and publicity campaigns. (YLB)