Issue 12 October 2012
Climbing Frame Newsletter Taking Steps to Success
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Content
Page
Supporting Learners in the South West
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Usdaw Learning Theme Update
2
Blueprint for Careers
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20 Different ways to make use of the Climbing Frame
3
Spotlight on a Learning Theme: Recession, Redundancy and Recovery
3
New Resources & Websites on the Climbing Frame
3
Frequently Asked Questions
4
In the next edition...
4
Contact Us
4
Hi Everyone, In this newsletter as always we keep you up to date with new sections and resources we have added to the Climbing Frame website to help make the role of a ULR easier and help ULRs and learners take steps to success. We provide information about a recent Supporting Learners event that took place in Plymouth, update you on the fantastic Learning Theme that Usdaw have developed for their members and provide some information on the LSIS Blueprint for Careers project. We highlight different ways that you can make use of the Climbing Frame, put the spotlight on the Recession, Redundancy and Recovery Learning Theme and provide answers to some Frequently Asked Questions. Have a fab few months,
The Climbing Frame Team
What’s New? Unionlearn have recently launched a new Learning Theme called ‘Supporting Learners: Progression for Reps’. It includes information to help ULRs think about their own development needs and progression. It includes details about qualifications to support learners, information on Personal Development Planning and a section on helping with the cost
of learning. Within the ‘My Notes’ area ULRs are now able to upload documents, for example Learning Agreements, Minutes from meetings, Publications etc. anything to help them in their role. Unionlearn have also introduced a ‘Files’ tab within the Learner Management section for ULRs to
upload any learner documents, for example possibly a learner photo, certificate or CV. The ‘Learner Reports’ have been given a new look and the ‘ULR Reports’ now have activity as well as statistical reports. Coming Soon… A new unionlearn Learning Theme on Bargaining for Skills.
Visit: www.climbingframe.unionlearn.org.uk
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Supporting Learners in the South West On the 3rd of October 2012 an Autumn ULR workshop was held in Plymouth. The morning session was dedicated to Supporting Learners. It included information about recommended websites (including the Climbing Frame), an update on recent supporting learners developments, information and an activity on action planning, advice on progression for learners
and reps and details about recent changes to funding. It was an action -packed morning with a variety of different discussion topics and activities. It was a great opportunity for attendees to share ideas and best practice around their work to help support learners. The afternoon session at the event focused on the green skills agenda. Information was given about what is on offer in
terms of training and also looked at how the green agenda can help link in with community groups. Overall the event was well attended and received good feedback from the delegates. Two Supporting Learners events are set to take place early next year, one in the South East and one in the North East. See the ‘ULR Events’ section on the Climbing Frame for more information soon.
Usdaw Learning Theme Update All unions are able to develop their own Learning Theme for the Climbing Frame. Usdaw was one of the first unions to do this. “We have had our own theme for a few years now”, says Ann Murphy, Usdaw’s lifelong learning Project Manager “and we think it’s really useful. It gives us a chance to add our own priorities and materials and offers another way to keep our ULRs up to date with new developments”. Tomasz Ciesielski, ULR at DHL’s Castleford site is a
keen Climbing Frame user. “It’s very user friendly and easy to use. Adding people into it is very straight forward and can be done really quickly.” he says. Tomasz sees another advantage for users. “Because it’s web based and can be accessed from home, even more people can use it by logging- in from home where they are feeling more comfortable than in the presence of others.” Usdaw have just updated their Learning Theme, something that will be
welcomed by the 120 Usdaw ULRs who are registered users. “It’s very useful to have our own Learning Theme” says Tomasz, “It keeps you up to date with the latest offers and benefits for members.” The Usdaw Learning Theme will become more important next year when Usdaw launches a new learning initiative. “We are working on a new learning offer for members and will be trialling it in 2013,” says Ann “and we will be using the Climbing Frame to help members access it.”
Blueprint for Careers Unionlearn was involved in a pilot project with LSIS, which looked at how the Climbing Frame fitted in with the idea of a Careers Blueprint. From the results of all the pilot work carried out LSIS have now created a Blueprint for Careers for England. Further information about this
can be found on the Excellence Gateway website, visit:
learners. Unionlearn will also introduce a section on http://www.excellencegat the Blueprint for Careers within the Climbing eway.org.uk/node/1332 Unionlearn are looking to Frame Personal Development and Career take forward the work Planning Learning they did on the project Theme. Look out for and are hoping to further information on develop some Blueprint resources which could be the Climbing Frame soon. of use to ULRs and
ISSUE 12
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20 Different ways to make use of the Climbing Frame We thought it would be useful to outline some of the many ways you can make use of the Climbing Frame website. Here are just some of them: 1) Use the ‘Using the Climbing Frame’ Learning Theme to help you understand more about the website and find out where information and sections are located. 2) Use the ‘Search’ option within the Learning Themes to look for topics of interest. 3) Locate the ‘Additional; Reading’ sections found within the Learning Themes to find a range of further resources and publications about the Learning Theme topic. 4) Post a question for other ULRs in your region in the discussion Forums section.
5) Store personal, workplace and learning details for the learners that you meet with within the Learner Management section. 6) Use the ‘My Notes’ area to store information to help you with your ULR role. You can now also upload documents in this area too. 7) Find out what ULR events are taking place over the next few months by looking in the ‘ULR Events’ section. 8) Print off some basic statistics for the learners you have recorded on the Climbing Frame with the ULR Report function. 9) Create an action plan for your learners which you can regularly review, update and print off. 10) Keep up to date with the Climbing Frame by reading the Climbing Frame Newsletters, they
can be found in the ‘Other Links’ area. 11) Get quick access to unionlearn, TUC and union websites in the ‘Useful Links’ section. 12) Check out some of the videos featured within the Learning Themes. 13) Access unionlearn news from the main home page. 14) Make use of the various websites listed in the ‘Course Finders’ area and help learners find a course that is right for them. 15) Print off some of the many useful documents and PDFs featured throughout the Learning Themes. 16) Find out what has recently been added to the Climbing Frame from the ‘What’s New on the Climbing Frame?’ area. 17) Generate a report for a learner including their
completed actions and goals in the ‘Learner Reports’ area. 18) Make use of the quick links and resources in the ‘Other Links’ area such as the CV Builder form the National Careers Service website. 19) Read some interesting learner and ULR stories in the Case Studies section. 20) Record your own learning and progression on the Climbing Frame and use it at your next development review meeting. Please let the Climbing Frame Team know if you have any ideas for new sections and resources you would like to see added to the website. Email: climbingframe@tuc.org.uk
Spotlight on a Learning Theme: Recession, Redundancy & Recovery The Recession, Redundancy and Recovery Learning Theme includes a wide range of redundancy resources and information about support that is available. It includes top tips for at risk situations, ways in which a ULR can help
colleagues and details about the network of union Learning Centres. Advice is given about looking after your personal finances, details about self employment and information on growth sectors and the
labour market. As with all Climbing Frame Learning Themes there is lots of useful text information, links to useful websites and a number of helpful downloadable resources. Check it out today!
New Resources & Websites on the Climbing Frame Facing up to Maths? Unions Count This booklet can be found in the English and Maths Learning Theme.
Apprenticeships Toolkit This recently updated toolkit can be accessed from the Apprenticeships Learning Theme.
New websites: The unionlearn website has recently been re-launched, visit: www.unionlearn.org.uk The directgov website has recently changed, the new website is: www.gov.uk
Frequently Asked Questions I have recently changed my email address. How can I get this changed on the Climbing Frame? You can do this yourself, log in using your existing email address and password. Go into the ‘Learner Management’ section and ensure that you are the selected learner and your name is at the top of the screen. Click on the ‘Learner Details’ tab. You will see ‘email address’ as an option in the ‘Personal’ tab. Change the email address to the one you now use and click ‘Save’. Next time you log in you will be able to login using
There is a ‘forgotten your password’ link on the main home page. Simply fill in the email address you registered with and you will get sent a link to reset your password. If you have any problems with this please contact the Climbing Frame Team and we can reset your I have forgotten which email address I registered password easily for you. An automated email with with! How can I find this a new password will be out? sent to you. Once you Simply contact the have logged into the Climbing Frame Team, Climbing Frame with this email: climbingframe@tuc.org.uk new password, you can and we can let you know. then change it to something more memorable to you. I have forgotten my password, what can I do? your new email address and the password you use. If you have any problems with this please contact the Climbing Frame team and we can sort this out for you. Email: climbingframe@tuc.org.uk
In the next edition...
How do I change my password to something new? To change your password, go into the ‘Learner Management’ section. Within the ‘Learners’ tab ensure that your record has been selected (your name will appear at the top). Click on the ‘Learner Details’ tab. Within the ‘Personal’ sub tab scroll down the page and you will see ‘Change your ULR password’. Enter your new password here, then re-enter the password in the ‘Confirm your new ULR password’ box below and then click ‘Save’.
Contact Us
Hear about Climbing Frame plans for the New Year We launch the Climbing Frame 2013 Survey Receive an update on the new E-Notes We put the spotlight on the ‘Equality, diversity and learning’ Learning Theme Plus lots more... The next Climbing Frame Newsletter will be available in
January 2013
Unionlearn Congress House Great Russell Street London WC1B 3LS Phone: 020 7079 6920 Fax: 020 7079 6921 E-mail: unionlearn@tuc.org.uk Website: www.unionlearn.org.uk
If you would like more information about the Climbing Frame please visit:
www.climbingframe.unionlearn.org.uk or email climbingframe@tuc.org.uk We welcome your emails and feedback
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