Gary O'Donnell is the regional co-ordinator for Midlands Unionlearn, has been working on the development of workplace learning and skills strategies for almost ten years. This work includes supporting trade unions capacity to deliver good quality learning opportunities for workplaces across the Midlands. Gary has been part of embedding union learning representatives within the workplace and brokering partnerships between Trade unions and employers to facilitate workforce development across the whole workforce. Prior to working for unionlearn he was project worker for the clothing NTO to support the up-take of NVQs within the textiles industry. The textiles industry in Leicester was where he started his career initially on the shop floor before working up to the design room.