Whilst Gateshead Council recognises that leadership and management skills are crucial to ensure sustainability, there has also been a focus on upskilling all of our employees.  Working closely with trade union partners, the activities include delivery of ICT, literacy and numeracy skills workshops; ‘Lunch to Learn’ taster sessions on topics such as Diabetes Awareness, Palliative Care, Autism and Parkinson’s Disease; and the facilitation of a ‘Learning at Work’ event which brought together the council’s political and senior management structure, learning and development providers, and trade union partners to showcase the range of opportunities available to all staff.  Over 800 staff have also accessed on-line learning relating to health and safety, equalities and diversity, ICT, and finance.