The TUC's union academy has taken another step forward with the appointment of its chief executive. Liz Smith.

Smith, the TUC's current head of learning services, has spent most of her professional life working in education and trade unions. In 1998 she co-ordinated the TUC task group that created union learning reps and a special government fund to help unions get more and better training for members (the union learning fund).

There are now over 12,000 learning reps and in 2000 Liz was awarded the OBE for services to lifelong learning.

Commenting on the appointment, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: "We are very fortunate to have secured such an experienced and talented individual to lead the TUC's new academy as we revolutionise the learning at work agenda.

"The new academy will provide a major boost to the quantity, quality and coherence of the training available to the workforce. The work done by the union movement has impacted massively on the lives of countless members and their families. The academy is a crucial step forward to improving thousands more lives, recruiting more union members and building stronger trade unions.'"

Smith said she was "delighted" with her new role. "The union academy is going to transform training at work in this country with the individual having a far greater say in demanding the training they need. Having been involved in unions and education for most of my working life I know first hand the difference a little education can make to a person's life. I am looking forward to helping thousands more people lead better lives through training at work."