Warrington & Vale Royal College joins Usdaw, the UK’s fifth largest trade union, in congratulating Charlie Gough for winning this year’s Trades Union Congress Youth Award
For over twenty years, Warrington & Vale Royal College has trained thousands of trade union representatives who, in that time, have worked tirelessly to improve the lives of their members. This involves creating safer workspaces, improving terms and conditions, promoting equality and providing educational opportunities in the workplace.
Charlie advocates for young people, noting that they are vulnerable to being given less favourable tasks and shifts, and often for a lesser wage. Through his work with the trade union, Charlie hopes to contribute towards creating a more level playing field, where young workers are treated fairly. To do this, he strongly encourages young people to become a member of a trade union, so that they can access advice and support when needed.
Alongside his work at Tesco, Charlie studied towards a degree in History and Politics at the University of Liverpool, from which he officially graduates in December. On balancing his university studies with both working and taking on additional responsibilities as a representative, Charlie credits Warrington & Vale Royal College who made this easy for him. He is incredibly grateful to the college for its help and support, noting that this without doubt helped him go on to achieve his recent national recognition.
He is particularly complimentary of Rick Cayzer, Curriculum Manager for Trade Union Education at the college, who left a lasting impression with his teaching. Charlie describes Rick and fellow college tutor Kerry as being absolutely brilliant and insists he wouldn’t be where he is now without their support.