The National Union of Students and Trades Union Congress have signed a partnership to run joint trade union and student movement campaigns over the coming year.

The agreement was signed by TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady and NUS national president Megan Dunn (both pictured) on Tuesday.

A statement by the TUC said the accord will see the two groups working together to “fight discrimination on campuses, in workplaces and in wider society, and to defend further and higher education from privatisation”.

The partnership will “engage students with the world of work” and “inform young workers of their employment rights and campaign for high-quality apprenticeships”, the statement said.

Dunn said the partnership was a continuation of ten years of the two groups working together “to campaign to safeguard and extend rights for workers – including working students”.

“I am proud that with this agreement we are reaffirming our historical partnership. Working together could not be more important,” she said.

“Faced with cuts to student support, an increase in debt and insecurity at work it is vital that in the year ahead we stand together. This agreement continues and builds on the success of our longstanding commitment to do just that.”

According to O’Grady, challenges and values shared by the two organisations will increase their ability to campaign more effectively together.

“Too many young people are bearing the brunt of the Chancellor’s failed economic plan, stuck in zero-hours, low-paid jobs, saddled with mountains of student debt,” he said.

“Every young worker should be in a trade union, to get their voice heard and their interests represented.”