The Learning Rep magazine - Spring 2009

the

learningrep » Spring 09

Ain’t no stoppin’ us now!

Bus driver Joanna Szmit is just one of the 22,000 ULRs we’ve trained already

www.unionlearn.org.uk

» Comment

Praise for ULRs from OFSTED The Government’s educational standards watchdog, OFSTED, recently highly praised the work of ULRs in its inspection report on our U-Net learning centres that deliver learndirect courses. “ULRs”, said OFSTED, provide “outstanding peer support as mentors, advocates, negotiators, role models and advisors.”

The report also approved the way unions work with employers, saying: “Employers benefit from these partnerships, with improved staff morale, reduced sick leave and staff turnover, fewer complaints and grievances, and higher rates of internal promotion.” It’s vital that employers and politicians of all persuasions hear such messages. Praise indeed.

And it’s a great pleasure to be able to announce that we’ve hit our target of training 22,000 union learning reps by March 2010 more than a year early.

As you can read in this Learning Rep we have selected Joanna Szmit, who became a ULR last year, to represent this powerful network of people advancing workplace learning.

Joanna is a bus driver and Unite member at Metroline’s Perivale garage in West London.

She is a credit to the trade union movement and reflects the great work of ULRs. The vital work of ULRs has also been recognised at the highest level. Two long standing ULRs have been awarded MBEs at Buckingham Palace (page three).

Our warmest congratulations to Tom O’Callaghan and Felicity Mendelson who have been recognised for their “services to skills”.

No doubt there will be even more such recognitions in future.

Liz Smith – Director, unionlearn The Learning Rep, spring 09 Editor: Mike Power mpower@tuc.org.uk Writers: Astrid Stubbs, Martin Moriarty Design: Redhouse Lane Communications Print: Ancient House Printing Group Distribution: Cavalier mailing Cover photo: Unite ULR Joanna Szmit in her bus at Metroline photographed by Jess Hurd

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Contents: 3 4 7 10 14 16 22 24 25 28 34 35 36

Royal recognition for ULRs Quick Reads being read One in 22,000 News Happy birthday OU Recession skills response Numeracy adds up On board unionlearn Hiring apprentices TUC Education Contacts Jay knows Free resources

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Honours « News «

Proud moments from the ULR family album Two of the country’s longestserving and most successful union learning reps, Unite ULR Tom O’Callaghan and UNISON ULR Felicity Mendelson, have been summoned to Buckingham Palace to collect MBEs for their learning work.

Tom was one of the founders of Learning on the Move, the learning project at London bus company Metroline which has helped hundreds of staff gain 2,000-plus accreditations between them over

the past decade, with the help of its fully-equipped double-decker mobile learning centre.

“I see the MBE as something to help me to champion the learning cause even more. I see what I do as helping people who want to be helped – it's not an achievement, it's what everyone should do,” Tom said.

“In a time of recession, more and more training is what will be required and Learning on the Move can be part of that.”

Felicity, who is Newcastle City Council Senior Learning and Development Officer and UNISON member, received her honour from the Prince of Wales at a ceremony in Buckingham Palace.

“I'm really honoured to get this award,” she said. “I’ve been very lucky to have had the opportunity to become a union learning rep myself and to work with so many people in the council and in the trade unions who have the same enthusiasm about learning that I do.”

One of the very first people to train as a learning rep in the North-East in 1999, Felicity played a crucial role in developing the Brinkburn Centre learning centre for council staff and has since helped establish five depot-based Learning Zones to help more council staff access learning in her current role as part of the council’s corporate learning and development team.

digital.co.uk Jess Hurd/report

Tom (left) displays his MBE at work and Felicity (below) receives hers from Prince Charles

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» News » World Book Day North West Chris Gleave

‘Stars’ auth sparkle to Popular author and former Learning Rep cover star Lola Jaye joined UNISON learners and union learning reps at Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP) in Chester to launch her Quick Read Reaching For The Stars on World Book Day. Unionlearn Regional Manager Dave Eva, who also chairs the CWP NHS Foundation Trust, was delighted to welcome Lola, who herself currently works in the health service as a counsellor in London (when she’s not writing).

“World Book Day is a great opportunity to highlight how unions are providing learning opportunities for their members and the hospital's diverse range of staff is able to access learning thanks to an excellent

Lola Jaye (front) shares her Quick Read with hospital learners (back row) plus (second row, from left) CWP Associate Director of Workforce Roger Nielsen, ULR Anthony Holland, unionlearn Regional Union Development Co-ordinator Tony Saunders and CWP Chief Executive Peter Cubbon

Yorkshire & the Humber

Popular Yorkshire author Gervase Phinn launched his Quick Read All These Lonely People at Hatfield Learning Centre, HMP Moorland, as part of a World Book Day event by the Prison Officers Association (POA) and unionlearn.

“It’s great to welcome one of Yorkshire’s most famous authors to the learning centre to celebrate World Book Day with us,” commented HMP Moorland Governor Tom Wheatley.

The U-Net learning centre, which the POA runs at the prison, offers a range of learning opportunities for staff and members of the wider local community.

Gervase Phinn was raised on a Rotherham council estate and worked as a teacher for 14 years

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before becoming a schools inspector, which provided the material for his best-selling series of autobiographical books, beginning with The Other Side of the Dale.

“Sadly there are many people who do not read, and I have heard some announce almost proudly that they never pick up a book,” Gervase said.

“The Quick Reads project is a superb initiative with the principal aim of encouraging those who rarely or never open a book to try their hand at reading and any initiative which encourages the reluctant and the non-reader is very welcome.”

In addition to promoting Gervase’s book, the event also launched Union Writes, a collection of short stories written by trade union members in Yorkshire and Humberside.

Martin Jenkinson

Gervase does the jailhouse launch

World Book Day « News «

hor brings book day

Reading together (from left): author Gervase Phinn with the POA’s Tom Robson, HMP Moorland Governor Tom Wheatley and unionlearn Regional Manager Dr Alan Roe

Catering worker Lily Broadway meets best-selling author Kate Mosse at St James’s Hospital, Portsmouth

Rod Leon

partnership between the Trust, trade unions, professional bodies and unionlearn,” he said.

CWP Associate Director of Workforce Development Roger Nielsen said the Trust was very happy to have been chosen for the North West launch of World Book Day. “We are very proud of the learning centre and the development opportunities and support provided for our staff: welcoming Lola to the event adds an extra sparkle to our celebrations,” he said.

Lola, who said she felt honoured to have been included in this year’s Quick Reads list, explained that her book was designed to encourage more people to follow their dreams.

“If only one reader takes something positive away from my book and is inspired to do more then it will all have been worthwhile!” Lola said.

Southern and Eastern

Kate prescribes a Quick Read International best-selling author Kate Mosse launched her Quick Read The Cave at a World Book Day event in St James’ Hospital, Portsmouth, where the learning partnership between the Primary Care Trust (PCT) and unions has enabled staff to develop themselves at work.

“I am delighted that such a big name in literature is supporting the work of the PCT's union learning reps, who have made a huge difference in motivating staff to take on new challenges and sign-posting people to the right courses,” commented PCT Chief Executive Tracy Sanders.

Literary names don’t get much bigger than Kate’s right now. Her 2006 novel Labyrinth outsold every other title in the UK that year, and also dominated the bestseller charts in the United

States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Italy, Holland and Norway.

“For me, a day without reading is a wasted day: you can go anywhere in your imagination, be anyone, think about anything and live a hundred stories in just one day,” Kate said.

Tracy said that the ULRs had made a huge difference by motivating staff to take on new challenges and sign-posting people to the right course and the funding available.

Unionlearn Regional Manager Barry Francis underlined how the ULR team played a crucial role for both staff and the trust.

“The PCT’s excellent relationship with the trade unions is bringing real benefits to staff, who are increasing their skills, and also to the PCT, which is developing talent within its ranks,” Barry said.

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Photos: Jess Hurd/reportdigital.co.uk

» News » World Book Day

Are you sitting comfortably? (from left): unionlearn Director Liz Smith, First Bus London MD Adrian Jones, Further Education Minister Siôn Simon MP, Sherrie Hewson, and Quick Reads Project Director Kathy Gale

We all raise a glass to Sherrie Sherrie Hewson launched her Quick Read The Tannery at the First bus garage in Westbourne Park, London, on the eve of World Book Day. Sitting alongside Further Education Minister Siôn Simon, unionlearn Director Liz Smith and London First Bus MD Adrian Jones, the former Coronation Street and Emmerdale star read from the book (her first) to an audience of Unite learners and ULRs. Sherrie left school without any qualifications and the only further education she’d had was a brief stint at acting school. “This made me feel left out and a bit of a second class citizen,” she said.

Sherrie won the chance to write her book by coming out on top in the BBC reality series Murder Most Famous last year.

“Now I’ve written a book for Quick Reads, I’ve shown that I have something in me to say: I’ve got it out and on paper and I want to encourage you all to do the same,”

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she said. “I feel ideas inside me and they want to burst out – very often the ideas are quite dark, but they’ve made a readable book.”

She warmly praised the work going on in the First Bus learning centre and encouraged all staff to use its facilities.

Siôn Simon thanked ULRs for their dedicated work and urged employers to see the value of working together with trade unions to advance workplace learning. “Quick Reads are playing a key role in encouraging people back into learning,” he pointed out.

Host for the day Adrian Jones said that First Bus was committed to ensuring every employee had opportunities to learn, and that the learning centre played a key role

in helping them reach this aim.

Over the past five years, the company has worked closely with Unite the union to establish more than 50 learning centres around the UK, each of which deliver vocational and non-vocational courses for First employees, who have made 60,000 learner visits and achieved 9,300 vocational qualifications to date.

Drive on,

Joanna!

Meet Joanna Szmit, the bus driver and Unite ULR chosen to represent the 22,000 ULRs trained by trade unions through unionlearn.

Jess Hurd/reportdigital.co.uk

By Astrid Stubbs

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Photos: Jess Hurd/reportdigital.co.uk

U

nionlearn has met its target of training 22,000 union learning reps over a year ahead of timetable.

The ULR chosen to mark the achievement is Joanna Szmit, or Asia (pronounced Asha) to her friends and colleagues, a single mum who worked as a parking attendant when she first arrived from Poland in 2004.

“I didn’t really like it and one day I saw a Metroline bus with a telephone number on asking for drivers,” she recalls.

A job interview later and Asia started work for Metroline in Perivale, West London.

After training, she’s now driving on Metroline’s E6 route between Greenford and Hayes in Middlesex, working early shifts so she can pick up her six-year-old daughter Victoria from school.

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“I love to drive and I love my bus.

It’s very smooth,” she smiles. “My dad was a lorry driver and he taught me how to drive.”

While working on the buses, Asia was introduced to learning by fellow Unite rep Cynthia Skerrin.

Cynthia took Asia along with her last year when the company’s learning bus drove to Downing Street for a World Book Day event, when Asia was introduced to Gordon Brown.

Unionlearn held a reception to celebrate reaching its target of training 22,000 ULRs over a year ahead of time in Westminster in April.

The event was attended by DIUS Secretary of State John Denham along with MPs, ULRs (including Asia), other union reps and officers as well as education providers and partners.

“I want to get across the message that you can do anything you set your mind to.”

When Cynthia left her ULR role at the garage, Asia was encouraged to take over her role but admits she was resistant at first.

“I said my English was not good but she encouraged me so I took on the job,” she explains.

Now Asia is a vital link to the 8-10 per cent of Polish drivers employed at her garage, and she is determined they will not have to suffer the hardships she did when arriving in the UK. “It’s very important to me because I remember when I came here and didn’t speak English. Just going to the

Keeping good company Metroline employs 3,800 staff across 11 sites. Some 3,000 are drivers and the rest engineers, admin and other support staff.

The majority are members of Unite and the company has signed a learning agreement with the union as well as the Skills Pledge.

Head of Training and Recruitment Neil Colston (right) has worked in partnership with Unite Learning Coordinator Tom O’Callaghan for 10 years to establish a network of learning centres along with a learning bus. Courses include ESOL as well as IT and a wide range of languages available to staff and their families.

“We couldn’t have done this without the partnership: Neil has been here from day one,” says Tom. “In the past, union and management were at loggerheads but the partnership

shops was very difficult and I don’t want others to go through that.”

As well as being on hand for any drivers, engineers or admin staff who want help with learning, Asia helps Polish colleagues who need support with form-filling or other queries.

Her skills means she is also now able to help her daughter with her homework.

And among one of Asia’s earliest recuits to learning is her mum, Eva, who has a job parking buses at the same garage and who helps Asia with her daughter.

Should Asia have any time between her shifts, her work as a ULR, her daughter and her dog Scooby, she’s also hoping to take further courses to enhance her English.

“I’m very happy and very proud.

When I came here I didn’t think I could do this. I can’t believe this has happened to me,” she says.

has eased that away.”

Neil says that when he and Tom speak at events together, he doesn’t go as the representative of Metroline with Tom as the union rep but they both go as representatives of the learning project.

The College of North East London (CONEL) delivers the courses to Metroline, and Trade Union Education Coordinator Susan Neal says Asia “is doing invaluable work offering people the opportunity to learn.”

The college is delighted to work with the company to offer a range of opportunities in a flexible approach to learning to all groups of staff, she says.

Brimful of Asia: the Unite ULR is keen to help migrant workers improve their English skills

Three’s company (from left): Metroline Head of Training Neil Colston with Unite ULRs Asia Szmit and Tom O’Callaghan

“We couldn’t have done this without the partnership: Neil has been here from day one” spring 2009 «

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» News

Reading hero meets Sarah Brown Bakers’ union (BFAWU) ULRs Alan Oakes and Mick Neville have been named “Reading Heroes” by the 2008 National Year of Reading for their successful campaign to encourage their Fletchers Bakery co-workers to take up reading.

The pair joined a total of just 14 people in the “professionals” section

of the awards, which wound up the Year of Reading campaign at the end of last year (it’s since been re-launched as Reading For Life).

The honour led to an invitation to Number 10 to meet the Prime Minister’s wife Sarah Brown in February.

It all began on Learning At Work

BFAWU ULR Mick Neville meets the Prime Minister’s wife Sarah Brown at a Number 10 reception

Day last year, when Alan and Mick persuaded 50 workers at the Sheffield bakery to take the Six-Book Challenge, with the help of the Reading Agency’s Vital Link library and literacy programme.

“This led onto a number of members using the mobile library that visits us once a month, our book-swap club is running successfully, and we’re running literacy classes in our learning centre twice a week in partnership with Northern College, with over 30 members gaining qualifications in both Levels 1 & 2 in literacy,” they say.

The surge in workplace learning has paid off for everyone. “With staff understanding and working more efficiently on a day-to-day basis, the employer has gained greater productivity, we’re creating less waste, and we’ve even had the added benefit of one of our members being used as a stand-in ‘line leader’ – a win-win situation all round,” they point out.

Reading For Life www.readingforlife.org.uk www.sixbookchallenge.org.uk

New Opportunities knock for USDAW rep Hayley USDAW learning rep Hayley Pickles was one of a select group whose commitment to helping people move on in life got her an invitation to Number 10 in January to help launch the Government’s social mobility white paper, New Opportunities: Fair Chances for the Future.

Originally a cook in the Scarborough branch of Tesco, Hayley now runs courses for retail workers from 16 companies in the area and has helped hundreds of colleagues reap the benefits of

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workplace learning over the past few years.

Hayley was able to speak to Prime Minister Gordon Brown about the benefits of education and training for low-skilled and low-paid employees, and quizzed him on how the new policies would help people like her.

To find out more about the white paper, visit: www.number10.gov.uk/ Page17988

Hayley Pickles (centre) goes knock-knockknocking on Gordon’s door

News « Rod Leon

No hiding behind the sofa here

O2 puts learning at number 1 Connect Deputy General Secretary Leslie Manasseh and O2 Head of Reward and Representation Colin Watt signed a Skills Charter in the presence of Skills Minister Lord Sir Tony Young at Westminster in January.

Also present at the House of Commons ceremony were key stakeholders and colleagues, including representatives of BT, e-skills UK and Parmjit Dhanda MP, as well as 26 of Connect’s ULRs. The Charter is a formal declaration of management and

union’s commitment to the skills development and long-term employability of the workforce at the telecoms company.

Under the agreement, Connect and O2 will continue to work together to develop the skills of managers and professionals to contribute to their career and personal development and meet the needs of the future.

By doing so, the company and the union aim to reinforce their partnership and help create a workplace which is conducive to learning and re-skilling.

Just sign here (from left): O2 Head of Employee Relations Martin Lally, O2 Head of Reward and Representation Colin Watt, Connect Deputy General Secretary Leslie Manasseh, and Skills Minister Lord Sir Tony Young

Why good bakers knead their skills When Yorkshire’s Warburtons bakery opened its first learning centre in partnership with food workers’ union BFAWU, it seemed only right to call it after one of the key ingredients of the business – hence its full name Warburtons Help Education And Training (WHEAT) Centre.

Schools Secretary and Normanton MP Ed Balls did the honours at the formal launch in Wakefield. “The WHEAT Centre will help everyone at Warburtons improve their key skills in Maths, English, and IT and make real progress in their career,” Ed said.

“In these difficult times, it’s really important that businesses keep investing in their staff, and supporting them in getting the skills they need to succeed.”

BFAWU President Ronnie Draper said the learning centre was a very

good example of how management and unions could work in partnership to benefit employees.

“The WHEAT Centre will provide Warburtons employees with new opportunities and skills that will not only benefit the individual, but also the company and their local community,” he said.

Ed Balls (left) learns about the Warburtons production line at the launch of the WHEAT Centre

Doctor Who author and script editor Terrance Dicks offered a fascinating insight into the making of the hit TV series when he spoke at a Prospectorganised World Book Day celebration at the Cefas scientific research and advisory centre in Lowestoft, Suffolk.

Over 100 staff took part in the first event of its kind at the executive agency, which gave the union the chance to introduce the learning agenda and recruit new members.

Over 100 books were donated or swapped at the onsite library on the day, the latest Quick Reads were snapped up and The Book People sold over £1,000 worth of books on the day, resulting in a £130 donation to the RNLI charity.

The event also saw the launch of a creative writing competition, as well as free sessions on speed reading and creative writing delivered by Lowestoft College, plus an over-subscribed Indian Head Massage workshop.

Put together by Prospect ULRs Sonja van Leeuwen and Silke Kroeger, the day attracted overwhelmingly positive feedback from staff.

“Thanks to Prospect for organising such a brilliant day,” commented one Cefas worker who got their Doctor Who Quick Read signed by Terrance Dicks.

“My son will be delighted with his signed novel!”

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» News

Cogent launches union toolkit Cogent Sector Skills Council has launched an online Trade Union Toolkit to support both ULRs and union members with learning and development across the chemicals, pharmaceuticals, nuclear, oil and gas, petroleum and polymer industries.

A shop-window onto Cogent’s wider skills and qualifications offer, the toolkit covers: G the Cogent Career Pathways web-based careers centre; G Cogent Apprenticeships; G Cogent’s Gold Standard modular route to upskilling; G the Skills Passports (delivered via the National Skills Academies for Nuclear and Process Industries).

It shows ULRs how to work with employers to ensure all employees reach their full potential via the programmes, and, with health, safety and the environment (HSE) remaining key priorities, it also provides a route into Cogent’s union-supported web-based Competence Assurance tool.

“There’s a long history of the unions in the Cogent industries supporting members on the HSE agenda, together with the skills challenges brought about by new technology and globalisation,” says Cogent’s Director of Policy Jaine Chisholm Caunt.

“Their involvement is very important to us, as are the interests of employees who are the people that make the real

contribution to company success.”

Ann Joss of unionlearn says Cogent has closely involved trade union representatives in the development of the toolkit.

“It supports the creation of opportunities for employees to get involved the skills development taking place in their companies,” she says.

The new toolkit supports ULRs and learners across the industries covered by the Cogent SSC

The Cogent Union Toolkit is at: www.cogent-ssc.com/TU_Toolkit

That is a real postal delay A package of learning materials sent by the First Division Association to one of its members currently working on the Falkland Islands was intercepted by the Guatemalan post office and held for three months. Perhaps the global recession got them interested in the financial tips on the Making The Most Of Your Money CD-Rom, or someone involved in the Central American country’s bloody civil war just couldn’t put down former SAS officer Chris Ryan’s Quick Read, One Good Turn.

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Unions do deal with Birmingham uni UNISON and Unite have signed a ground-breaking learning agreement with Birmingham University Hospitality and Accommodation Services (HAS) which will open the door to learning and skills for support staff.

The agreement gives nonacademic support staff the opportunity to move on to further and higher education, a particularly significant step forward in the current economic climate.

ULRs Marian Jordan (UNISON) and Niki Constantinou (Unite) drove the initiative with the support of Regional Learning Organisers

Gurdeep Singh (UNISON) and Ian Bayford (Unite) and the backing of HAS Manager Sue Simpson.

“As a branch we are proud to be part of this initiative, as supporting skills and training of staff is at the heart of what we do as a modern union,” commented UNISON Branch Secretary Matt Raine.

HAS Acting Director Sue McLaren said she was delighted to sign the agreement. “This is the culmination of a considerable amount of hard work between our union colleagues and HAS, and we look forward to continuing our learning and development journey with the support of UNISON and Unite.”

Update «

Time to improve our maths The Government is spending over £1 billion in the coming year to help adults improve their numeracy and literacy after publishing its refreshed Skills for Life Strategy in March.

The strategy offers a renewed emphasis on numeracy, where poor skills hamper three-quarters of the UK’s adult population.

“The current economic conditions make it even more crucial that people have the numeracy and literacy skills they need for work and for helping their families, and that’s why we’re publishing a refreshed strategy today,” commented Further Education Minister Siôn Simon.

Unionlearn Director Liz Smith

Making maths number one: pp22/23

welcomed the new strategy.

“I am pleased to see the Government restating and refreshing its commitment to Skills for Life, and the TUC and unionlearn will play their part in contributing to its success,” she said.

Final 30 make the cut for WorldSkills TUC Deputy General Secretary Frances O’Grady (above third left) congratulated everyone who made the UK Squad for the WorldSkills 2009 competition in Canada this autumn following the announcement of the final 30 names in London in February.

“These young people are top of their industry and their skill and set a shining example to others in their field,” Frances said.

“In this current economic climate it is more important than ever to make sure we have highly skilled people in the workforce. For employers the

involvement of their workforce in competitions can inject ambition and aspiration, promote excellence and instil mutual pride in the company.”

The final make-up of Team UK for Worldskills Calgary 2009 will be announced in June.

Young people interested in trying out for a chance to make Team UK for WorldSkills London 2011 (the next competition after Calgary) should find out about entering a regional or national WorldSkills UK competition by visiting www.worldskillsuk.org or calling the WorldSkills UK contact centre on 0800 612 0742.

Nominate a VQ hero With the second annual VQ Day taking place on Wednesday 24 June, independent education foundation Edge has launched the 2009 VQ Hero awards, with categories for ‘24 and under’ and ‘25 and over’.

To help raise more awareness of the day, Edge has also re-launched the VQ Day website, where you can download posters and leaflets for free, and pick up advice and guidance on how to get involved in the celebrations of vocational achievement.

To nominate a VQ Hero or find out more about VQ Day, visit the VQ Day website www.vqday.org or contact the VQ Day Team at vqday@bbpr.com.

RMT youth rap against racism Ten young members of rail union RMT from across the country learned to rap and scratch at a weekend course in Brighton combining hip-hop and anti-racist campaigning.

Run by DJ KMT (Ian Solomon to his friends) and College of North London tutor Dave Smith, the workshop started with participants beatboxing and creating simple raps based on their names (“My name’s Emma and I’m in a dilemma”) and finished with everyone contributing their fullyfledged lyrics (“You disgust, you disgrace, and you discriminate by race”).

The two-day event also included a session on how to get involved in RMT workplace learning, a close look at the far right, how to organise an antiracist music event and a music quiz highlighting the artists who have stood up against discrimination, including Sam Cooke, The Specials and Miss Dynamite.

The ten young members enjoyed the weekend.

“It’s great to meet other young members and learn enthusiasm is still alive within the union,” commented Adrian Rowe.

Hayley Gaskell also enjoyed herself. “The course has built my confidence up and has given a lot of information about RMT and the anti-racist movement,” she said.

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» Update » Open University at 40

Right said G Getting rushed into hospital seven years ago proved to be just what the doctor ordered for Ged Bretherton, because that’s where he got the support he needed to take his Open University degree.

By Martin Moriarty

Ged Bretherton wasn’t supposed to be in hospital: he should have been at the learning centre he’d helped get off the ground in the Safeways depot where he was working seven years ago.

It was the day the centre was signing a formal agreement with the local colleges who were delivering the courses, but Ged couldn’t be there because he’d been rushed into Warrington General with acute kidney stone problems.

“I was cheesed off that I’d missed the signing, but I ended up in a bed next to this bloke called Ansel Jaundoo,” Ged recalls.

And making friends with the pensioner gave him a bigger kick up the aspirations than any formal partnership ceremony might have done.

“When I told John (as everyone calls him) that I’d been thinking about studying with The Open University (OU), he couldn’t believe I was just thinking about it.

I’m too brainy for my shirt: Ged got a First in his degree while working fulltime helping ULRs in the North West

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Open University at 40 « Update «

ed He said: ‘Why not just do it?’

And that was the boot up the backside that I needed.”

After looking through the OU prospectus when he got home, he decided on a degree in Social Sciences, beginning what would turn out to be six years of parttime study in the very same week he started working for what was to become unionlearn.

It was a hard slog, two hours’ study every night and four on a Sunday. No wonder he says: “I’m glad that I’ve got an understanding family!”

He also kept in touch with John, who has continued to help him succeed. “I got a decent mark at the end of my first year and he said he thought I could do better,” he says.

It turned out John was right.

Ged didn’t end up with a decent degree when he completed his studies late last year – he got a first.

“I knew it was all down to the mark for the mini-dissertation (we didn’t have an exam last year) and the day I went on the OU website and it said ‘your results are available,’ all the colour drained out of my face,” he recalls.

“But I ended up clicking on it and it said ‘distinction,’ and I thought: ‘Great – that’s what I needed’.”

One of the most important things that kept him going was the support of his other mentor – his older sister Clare who had started her OU degree a couple of years earlier.

“It was crucial having someone

there like my sister who’d been through it, so I could ring her up for a pep talk,” he says.

It’s the kind of support Ged believes is vital for OU learners, especially first-year students.

“I had a meeting with the OU the other week and said they need to look at the issue of mentors – people who’ve been through it

Happy birthday to (y)OU The UK’s first university dedicated to distance learning opened in April 1969, six years after Labour leader Harold Wilson first outlined proposals for “a dynamic programme providing facilities for home study to university and higher standards.”

Inspired by the Chicago College of the Air he visited while lecturing in America, Harold originally created an educational trust to bring together many institutions and organisations to produce television and other educational material, rather than an independent institution.

But when Labour won the 1964 election, Harold asked Jennie Lee to take over the “University of the Air” project, based in the Department of Education and Science, where her total commitment and tenacity gradually wore down the mountains of hostility and indifference that she faced.

And after Labour was re-elected with an increased majority in 1966, the Cabinet set up a Planning Committee “to work out a comprehensive plan for an open university.”

Forty years on from its formal launch, The Open University has enabled over two million students to realise their potential through learning. It is also in the top six UK universities for teaching quality and consistently in the top three of the National Students Survey of student satisfaction.

already that learners can keep in touch with,” he says.

The partnership between the OU and unionlearn, established in 2006, is all about providing the kind of support and advice to help learners juggle their work, family commitments and study more effectively.

The OU offers more than 600 courses to suit all abilities, including everything from short courses in effective leadership skills, managing conflict, transferring life skills to employment skills or improving your negotiation skills to full degrees.

And true to its aim of being open, you don’t need formal qualifications to study and courses are flexible enough to allow you to stay in work while you are studying.

As 2009 plays out against a backdrop of recession and the global economic crisis, unionlearn and the OU understand not only the importance of retraining but also the constraints on household budgets.

That’s why unionlearn has negotiated a deal with the Open University which enables union members to receive a 10 per cent discount on most courses (terms and conditions apply: please visit www.open.ac.uk/union for more information).

Anyone interested in taking up a course should contact their ULR to discuss the options available and visit the OU website www.open.ac.uk/union to view the courses on offer or phone for a brochure 0845 300 60 90.

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» Feature » Tackling the downturn Union learning reps have a crucial role to play in the recession, argues TUC Deputy General Secretary Frances O’Grady, who kicks off six pages on the economic downturn with an analysis of what the new Regional Economic Council can do, followed by case studies of how companies are investing in skills training to prepare for the upturn.

By Astrid Stubbs Saving jobs and improving skills must get to the very top of the Government’s downturn to-do list, says TUC Deputy General Secretary Frances O’Grady.

“The Government must show it’s on the side of ordinary people and make saving jobs and skills the number one priority,” she says.

Unions have a key role to play, she believes. “Everyone is talking about maintaining investment in apprenticeships and skills through the recession but only unions can make sure promises are met,” she points out.

But as well as using their power to hold Government and employers to account, unions have also got an important policy contribution to

make, she believes.

“We’re arguing for an active industrial strategy to accelerate recovery and create more skilled jobs,” says Frances.

“Low carbon transport, council housing and social care are just a few examples of where real investment could create jobs – and a stronger, greener and fairer economy: we can’t go back to business as usual and ‘do nothing’ is not an option.”

Frances is one of a number of leading trade unionists (including GMB General Secretary Paul Kenny, who is vice-chair) invited to attend the new Regional Economic Council, which the Government set up last year to ensure that the issues and concerns raised in the

It’stime to

16 » spring 2009

Tackling the downturn « Feature «

Photo: Jess Hurd/reportdigital.co.uk

regions, particularly those of small businesses, are heard and acted upon.

With UK job losses mounting twice as fast as the rest of Europes, trade unionists have already used their presence on the council to press for wage and training subsidies to help beat the recession, she points out.

In addition, the TUC and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) have called on the Government to set up a fund for companies moving to short-term wages and temporary layoffs that could provide support for up to 600,000 workers a year.

The idea is to help businesses save costs and give them a better chance of survival, as well as prevent mass redundancies and the resulting loss of essential skills.

The proposal would help viable companies survive the downturn and ensure they are well-placed to compete and expand once their financial situation improves.

Frances argues that ULRs have a potentially crucial role to play in the recession.

“At a time when so many workers are feeling worried about the future,

“All across the world there is turmoil due to the bankers’ recession. It is essential that training of the workforce continues so that there is a skilled workforce ready to take advantage of the upturn when it eventually comes” Paul Kenny, GMB General Secretary and Vice Chair of the Regional Economic Council I’m acutely aware of the added pressures on ULRs and what a brilliant job they’re doing,” she says.

“It’s a massive task to make sure our members get good advice and practical help, whether they need upskilling or re-skilling, especially when

jobs are under threat – but we have to do even more.

“If ever there was a time when we need to get workplaces 100 per cent organised and put training on the collective bargaining agenda, then this is it,” she says.

spring 2009 « 17

» Feature » Tackling the downturn

Building for the future Construction giant JCB has embarked on the biggest training initiative in the company’s history to help it face the global economic challenge.

It is part of a huge programme involving more than 2,000 employees from the company’s Midlands and Wales factories, aimed at equipping the workforce with the skills to weather the economic downturn – and take advantage of the opportunities a recovery will bring.

Plants in Rocester, Cheadle, Uttoxeter, Wrexham, Rugeley and Derbyshire are all taking part with the support of the GMB union.

The training combines teambuilding sessions with classroom learning to help employees work towards valuable qualifications.

The scheme has been run alongside a series of bespoke training courses to help the 1,800 staff made redundant.

As well as a commitment to help with CV writing and interviews, the union has helped organise staff in training in a variety of trades, including plastering, HGV driving, canoe instruction, fork-lift driving, electrics, and plumbing.

“Whatever they want, we will try and get or find someone who can,” says ULR Gordon Richardson, who is also GMB works convenor at the

company’s Worlds HQ in Rocester.

Gordon says some redundant staff who have taken advantage of the training have gone on to improve their working lives either by securing better employment or setting up business on their own.

It’s not the first time GMB members at the company have played their part in helping the company weather the recession.

Last year staff voted for a shorter working week to protect the jobs of colleagues – a move praised by management.

The decision, which reduced redundancies by around two-thirds, was applauded by JCB Chief Executive Officer Matthew Taylor.

“This is very positive because it means we retain the skills of a wider workforce who have contributed to the success this company has enjoyed over many years. It means we retain the fundamental strength of our workforce and this is very welcome news as it puts us in a very strong position to take advantage quickly of the upturn in the market when it comes,” he said.

The scheme won praise from Skills Secretary John Denham, who held up the company as an example of good practice during a debate in the House of Commons.

HBU Machinist Peter Wilkes reckoned it was a very good idea.

“Some of the training has been great for team building and working outside the box,” he said. “I think it will stand me in good stead for my time at JCB and the qualifications I will gain will also definitely help.”

Gordon Richardson says it’s not easy for staff made redundant to get jobs on the same pay.

“As the number made redundant increases, competition for jobs increases,” he points out. “We are working with managers in a bad situation and getting the most out of it that we can for our members.”

JCB employees who underwent training at Uttoxeter Racecourse

Joining up the dots Staff made redundant at JCB in the Midlands face competition in an area already high in unemployment.

It’s for this reason that Stoke on Trent College’s trade union education centre has forged a unique identity, offering services to redundant and soon-to-beredundant workers alongside its core TU courses.

The department’s redundancy support work is carried out with the North Staffs Workforce Development Project.

18 » spring 2009

The project seeks to provide support and the opportunity for individual workers, within the ceramic and non-ceramic sectors in North Staffordshire, to train and reskill/up-skill to meet the demands of the changing job market.

As well as advice, the project will pay for training up to a certain level and has an 80 per cent success rate for getting people trained and back into work.

The variety of new employment opportunities includes forklift truck driving, locksmith, dog grooming,

Reiki, nail extensions and even cow insemination!

As part of its ULR programme, the college offers a qualification in advice and guidance.

The college has also brought the department under its new directorate set up to concentrate on training in the workplace and support unemployed people – last year it was awarded a contract from the Department of Work and Pensions to help long-term unemployed people.

Tackling the downturn « Feature «

Pic: JCB

Learning from the 1990s Experience of the ’90s recession and the imperative to retrain redundant print workers gave Unite Deputy General Secretary and Cogent Sector Skills Council board member Tony Burke the impetus to press for retraining.

“We did a lot of work for unemployed print workers in training in the technology that was then developing. It occurred to me that we needed to do something similar, presuming this recession was going to be a lot worse,” he says.

Working with the TUC, Tony put together a consultation paper for the Cogent board, which agreed that work should continue through the Manufacturing Skills Alliance (MSA), made up of the SSCs in manufacturing.

“The idea is to create opportunities for people so that they can transfer into other employment. We are focussing on getting SSCs, in manufacturing in particular, to look at ways to help using Train to Gain, and rather than lay off people to

train and upskill. It’s minor compared to the real problems we face but it is still important and will help some,” says Tony.

Trade union board members of SSCs in manufacturing were due to meet in March to decide how best to help and make joint approaches to government in light of the consultation.

“We need to get a common approach and common agreement between the MSA and unions and come up with ideas and policies to help people. And using Train to Gain money for retraining is an issue we are hitting very hard – it should be loosened up,” says Tony.

“Rather than lay off people, employers need to utilise the downturn for training and upskilling to help them come out of the other end when the worst is over.

We need to hold companies together and hold onto skilled staff and SSCs are a crucial conduit to employers in their industry,” he says.

Eileen Nicklin (below left) helps redundant pottery worker Linda Higgins

Come on Eileen!

Eileen Nicklin was a lithographer in the pottery industry and well-placed to help former colleagues facing redundancy as well as an inspiration to what learning can do.

She gained an NVQ Level 3 in Lithography and became an NVQ Assessor and a rep for Unity.

Eileen was seconded to the Trade Union Studies Section at Stoke on Trent College and now has an NVQ4 in IAG and is assessing the latest cohort of ULRs working towards their Level 3.

“By emphasising the right way to behave regarding training and skills during a recession and recognising the fact that many companies are in need of real help, we believe we can help the UK weather the storm and prepare to make the most of economic stability when it arrives” Jerry Lloyd of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills www.ukces.org.uk/ spring 2009 « 19

Andy Moss

» Feature » Tackling the downturn

Skilling the reps TUC regional briefings for union reps on coping during the recession have been a huge success.

In all, 600 reps from all regions, Scotland and Wales attended sessions, explains TUC National Organiser Paul Nowak.

Demand for courses so outstripped provision that new sessions had to be added, he says.

“Clearly there is a demand for information and advice about what the downturn means and what reps need to be looking for – early warnings and signs of redundancy,” he says.

The workshops encouraged reps to think about negotiating with employers and use the opportunity to talk to non-members about getting involved as well as looking at basic information about dealing with changes in working practice.

“We were struck at the range of reps who attended from the public and private sectors: there was also a wide mix of unions,” says Paul.

Workshops included dealing with the direct impact on members of redundancy as well as the

issues beyond, for instance around debt, childcare and getting to work.

New training materials around recession have been added to TUC courses from April and Paul says the TUC has used the briefings to ask reps what more they need.

In addition, TUC Education will be running two-day workshop training sessions on negotiating around redundancies.

“We are just beginning,” Paul says.

“We don’t expect anyone to come out of this economic situation before the end of the year: this is an ongoing process for reps.”

Paul says support for reps is very important at a time when they are coming under stress and pressure.

“Reps are already running hard to stand still and now they have an additional set of pressures: an ongoing package from the TUC and unionlearn will hopefully help them cope,” he says.

Recession resources » The TUC’s worksmart website has put together a booklet explaining your rights if you are threatened with redundancy and offers some tips for the newly unemployed. » Worksmart has also produced an online briefing to support working people and their families. The booklet and online help are available at www.worksmart.org.uk/ career/downturn

» Coping With The Economic Downturn is a new booklet by the TUC with the Citizens Advice Bureau offering a practical guide for working people and their families www.tuc.org.uk/extras/ downturn.pdf » TUC Education has produced a workbook for workplace reps, which aims to help reps identify problems as they develop and assist them in developing effective tools to protect their members.

Copies available from akalsi@tuc.org.uk or via the unionlearn website.

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» The Open University has launched a new website for people during the recession to help top up their skills.

Re-launch is an open resource for anyone seeking advice, services, information, practical help or tools during this continued period of economic uncertainty. www.open.ac.uk/recession

Paul Nowak: big demand for downturn briefings

Tackling the downturn « Feature «

Steady as she goes Skills training is helping a marine company navigate today’s choppy waters.

Photos: Guy Harrop

While the naval market is diminishing and the economic downturn is affecting many small companies, Barnstaple-based marine company J+S is growing.

Last year, it secured two major contracts, strengthened by the investment in a sustainable training culture within the company, which has involved management and Unite the union working together from the offset.

An on-site learning centre, including a video-conferencing training facility was established through a Unite Learning Works For All project, and staff chalked up 3,500 hours of learning by the end of last year.

The centre is operated through a joint partnership between Unite and the company and delivers high level technical and specialist training, ICT training and personal development opportunities.

The project also set out to reach non-IT literate staff to get them using computers. Languages were also potentially useful, particularly as the company often deals with overseas clients.

When the project ended in 2008, the importance of training had been recognised and was highlighted as a key issue.

With the company now investing more of its own money in training, there is clear evidence of sustainability of the centre and of a well-developed learning culture in the company.

A J+S Training Plan for 2009 with input from all staff, from supervisor level upwards, is already in place and being developed in conjunction with Train to Gain and SEMTA. “This has been a very exciting, innovating project, in many ways ahead of its time,” says ULR Phil Hammant.

“The higher levels of training given to staff have already made the

ULR Phil Hammant (above) and Operations Director Eric Abretti (left) agree that union learning has helped J+S move forward

workforce more flexible, which, in these difficult times, helps towards job security. It has evolved into more than just ensuring training for staff but has vastly improved communications and union/management relationships.

I cannot applaud the company enough for its commitment and contribution in ensuring the success of the project and implementing measures for its sustainability.”

J+S Operations Director Eric Abretti says the provision of the training facility and support from unionlearn and Unite has boosted

confidence in developing a plan for the business that delivers a sustainable future.

“The impact has been to create a positive ‘can do’ attitude across the business ready to deal with the future challenges.”

Unite Regional Learning Organiser Brendan Parkinson says the project focused on retention of high-skilled jobs in North Devon.

“The training has enabled the company to break into new markets while our members have had the opportunity to develop their skills and secure their employability,” he says.

“This kind of partnership project should be a model for any operation that is serious about keeping quality jobs in the UK and building on the skills of their existing workforce in order to meet new challenges.”

spring 2009 « 21

» Update » Skills for Life

Making maths

number one The refreshed Skills for Life Strategy plus the expanding Train to Gain programme aim to multiply the number of courses for people to sharpen their numeracy skills.

Whether it’s checking change at the shops, helping the kids with their maths homework or finding a better credit card deal, we all need good numeracy skills in our everyday lives.

Some of us need to be confident with numbers in the work we do, or would like to do – whether that’s calculating chemical dosages, checking temperature gauges, or drawing up budgets.

And union reps need to be on top of their numeracy game in order to negotiate on pay and conditions, keep an eye on pension proposals and make sure key health and safety laws are applied properly.

But 17 million of us have trouble with numbers and almost 24 million adults – three-quarters of the UK’s adult population – have skills below Level 2, according to the Leitch Review.

That’s why there’s a new emphasis on numeracy in the world of workplace learning right now – and a fresh injection of Government money to help everyone meet the numeracy challenge.

Already, unions are taking advantage of the money available through Train To Gain to help develop numeracy training in the workplace.

At Appledore Dockyard in Devon, management and unions have joined together to give workers the chance to improve their numeracy

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skills since new owners Babcock Marine signed the Government’s Skills Pledge last year.

Inspired by the learning programme already underway at Barnstaple company J&S Marine’s training centre, the GMB and Unite got together with management, North Devon College and Train to Gain to set up a partnership steering group to oversee training activity at the shipyard.

After on-site open days during last year’s Adult Learners’ Week generated a real enthusiasm for learning, a number of people came forward who were struggling with the maths they needed for their engineering courses.

Following a short brush-up course funded by unionlearn, now 23 people are studying for their

Adult Numeracy Certificates, funded by Train to Gain.

“This training will certainly improve their understanding of their job: learning literacy and numeracy helps them read charts, where maybe in the past some of the workers suffered in silence,” says Shipbuilding Manager Harry McCluskey.

“Anything that helps these guys progress helps the company too – it shows how unions and management can work together to improve people’s skills.”

Train to Gain and unionlearn funding also helped when workers were made redundant at West Country educational suppliers Philip & Tacey, enabling stockchecker Trish Thomas to gain crucial numeracy qualifications to re-train.

“I went on a course to brush up my English and maths and now I’ve been accepted to train so I can work for social services,” she says.

How numeracy funding works The LSC’s Fact Sheet 12 ‘Skills for Life provision within Train to Gain from 2008/09’ clarifies that only the Certificate in Adult Numeracy (entry level to Level 2) is fundable through Train to Gain.

Subject to meeting the general Train to Gain eligibility, funding works like this: G Adult numeracy qualifications are fully funded: entry level will be funded at the same rate as Levels 1 and 2.

G Both a literacy and numeracy need will be funded.

G Those with prior qualifications at NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent) or above will be eligible for funding through Train to Gain where they have an identified numeracy need.

G Adult numeracy qualifications are funded at a rate of £772 (rounded) in 2008/09.

Download LSC’s Fact Sheet 12 from: http://tinyurl.com/d5pazr

Skills for Life « Update «

And unions are also using the learning agenda to help develop all the reps that comprise the workplace union team. In the North-West, for instance, Unite has developed an embedded numeracy course for shop stewards and safety reps.

“The main purpose of the course is to help the representatives have the right tools for the job, and the added bonus is enabling them to get a numeracy qualification,” says Unite tutor John Lea. “Unions are bombarded by graphs on areas of performance: they need to understand them in order to interpret them and ratios and percentages are all equally important to understanding pay, pensions and health and safety requirements.”

The Government’s refreshed Skills for Life Strategy includes a renewed emphasis on developing numeracy, and ministers are emphasising that they want a large part of the £1 billion per annum invested in Train to Gain by 2010 to help people get to grips with figures.

Train to Gain funding works like

this. Only Adult Basic Skills are fundable through the programme, although both GCSEs and Key Skills can be offered at full cost to employers should they request these qualifications.

That means (when it comes to numeracy) that only the Certificate in Adult Numeracy (entry level to Level 2) is fundable through Train to Gain (see “How numeracy funding works” panel).

The National Centre for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics (NCETM) has been working with unionlearn as part of the Numeracy Challenge to support improving numeracy skills for union members.

“Numeracy and mathematics affects all aspects of our adult lives, whether in our roles as workers, parents, citizens; or in securing our health and well-being, our finances and our homes,” says NCETM’s Norma Honey.

“No wonder then that the Government has given numeracy such high priority at this time and has set ambitious targets which it will take all our efforts to achieve.”

Where to get your numeracy resources

»

The Move On to Numeracy: Making Maths Count section of the Move On website: http://tinyurl.com/by3k3s (login required)

»

The Move On to World Class Skills programme supports promotion and engagement in the workplace. Download the Move On to World Class Skills numeracy promotional pack from: http://tinyurl.com/b44ewy

» »

The Maths Takes You There website: www.esilverchair.co.uk/int.html The National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM) has a useful micro-site on numeracy: www.ncetm.org.uk/numeracy

spring 2009 «

23

Rod Leon

» Feature » unionlearn Board

The Lord’s onboard Skills Minister Lord Tony Young demonstrated his commitment to union learning when he attended the March meeting of the unionlearn Board.

The Board, a committee of the General Council of the TUC, meets four times a year with an additional ‘awayday’ to consider unionlearn’s Strategic Plan.

Its role is to oversee the strategic direction of unionlearn, maintaining it as a high-profile organisation that is the union voice on learning at work.

Its goals are to: G Help unions to support 250,000 members annually to access and progress through lifelong learning based on quality standards, including 25,000 on Skills for Life courses.

G Help unions develop collective approaches and increase the quantity, quality and fairer distribution of learning.

G Strengthen union capacity over learning, including training and supporting 22,000 ULRs and to embed learning in their core activities and structures through learning.

G Provide effective union representation at the workplace through training of union representatives and union professionals.

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G Deepen

and extend partnerships with key stakeholders to sustain effective union-led activity.

G Monitor and improve the effectiveness of the organisation to meet its goals.

“The Board of unionlearn, comprising senior officers from unions who also sit on the General Council, demonstrates the importance unions and the TUC place on the union role in learning,” says TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber.

“Board members are great advocates for learning and skills, and pave the way for the tremendous and pioneering work of ULRs.” Billy Hayes says he’s proud to have chaired the Board since its inception, and to be the General Council’s lead voice on skills.

“I know in my own union, the CWU, how much members appreciate the opportunities the union gives them through our ULRs and learning centres,” he says.

“Learning can change lives: it brings learners closer to the union and makes us all stronger.”

At their meeting in March unionlearn board members welcome Skills Minister, Lord Tony Young (fourth left front) and UK Skills CEO Simon Bartley (fourth left back). Board members present from left: Sue Ferns, Prospect; Liz Smith, unionlearn Director; Frances O'Grady, TUC Deputy General Secretary; Billy Hayes, unionlearn Chair; Gail Cartmail, Unite; John Walsh, Unite; Bob Abberley, UNISON

Board members 2008/9 G Gail Cartmail, Unite G Pat Stuart, Unite G John Walsh, Unite G Bob Abberley, UNISON G Alison Shepherd, UNISON G Sheila Bearcroft, GMB G Allan Garley, GMB G Billy Hayes, CWU G Christine Blower, NUT G Chris Keates, NASUWT G Mark Serwotka, PCS G Fiona Wilson, USDAW G Mary Bousted, ATL G Michael Leahy,

Community

G Leslie Manasseh, Connect G Sue Ferns, Prospect

Other members of the board are TUC Deputy General Secretary Frances O’Grady, unionlearn Director Liz Smith and unionlearn Business and Finance Manager Matthew Fernandez-Graham. The DIUS and the LSC are also invited to send observers to meetings.

Apprentices « Feature «

Why Sugar is sweet on apprenticeships When an entrepreneur of Sir Alan Sugar’s standing says apprentices are good for business, employers tend to sit up and pay attention.

When it comes to apprenticeships, Sir Alan Sugar’s famous TV reality show means that he speaks with real authority on the subject.

So that’s why 400 employers gathered at a nationwide seminar in London’s ExCel Centre in February to hear what he had to say about the business benefits of hiring apprentices.

Alongside him at the interactive half-day seminar during Apprenticeships Week were Cabinet ministers John Denham and Ed Balls (whose departments share policy responsibility for apprenticeships).

“This seminar provided a great forum for employers to ask the direct questions they wanted of Government and Sir Alan,” Ed said.

“Ambitious young apprentices can bring real benefits to companies and businesses and I’m delighted that so many people wanted to hear more.”

The Government kicked off Apprentices Week by unveiling new plans to create 21,000 new

apprenticeships in hospitals, schools, colleges and town halls across the country in the next 12 months.

In addition, it revealed that all construction companies winning contracts for the Building Schools for the Future programme would now be required to have formal training programmes – creating up to 1,000 more apprenticeship places from June.

“The public sector places we are talking about today are great news for those looking for an apprenticeship,” commented Skills Secretary John Denham, who made the announcement alongside Children’s Secretary Ed Balls.

“But they also represent the Government’s commitment to leading by example, encouraging businesses to take on apprentices and help ensure we have the highly skilled workforce the UK needs to stay competitive through the downturn and when the upturn comes.”

Just a few days later, Cabinet Secretary Gus O’Donnell, Dragons’ Den entrepreneur

Sir Alan Sugar (left) explains how apprentices make things happen alongside Cabinet members Ed Balls (centre) and John Denham, while TV Dragon Peter Jones (above) says he’s “in” when it comes to apprenticeships

Peter Jones and DIUS Permanent Secretary Ian Watmore met Civil Service apprentices in the North-East at a Gateshead event showcasing how the region is responding to the recession.

“Apprenticeships help individuals develop the confidence to build their careers and provide a committed, capable and knowledgeable workforce for employers, but most importantly, in the Civil Service, apprenticeships develop staff so they are equipped to deliver better services to the public,“ Ian said.

Simon Waugh, Chief Executive of the new National Apprenticeship Service which became fully functional in April, declared Apprenticeships Week 2009 a fantastic success.

“We have engaged employers, partners, and media up and down the country helping to raise the profile of Apprenticeships, and helping to get the message across that apprentices Make Things Happen,” he commented.

spring 2009 « 25

» Feature » Apprentices

Ready, aim, hire!

More and more employers are getting the message that apprentices are good for business. This is your guide to some of the key points to look for when working with your employer on an apprenticeship programme.

Boosting the bottom line Apprenticeships have made huge progress: numbers have tripled since 1997, and there’s every chance we can continue regardless of the new economy or downturn. If there’s one message to take away it’s that apprenticeships make sound business sense – as far as I’m concerned, it’s a no-brainer.”

Ian El Mokadem, Compass Group UK & Ireland Managing Director

»

Apprentices can plug skills gaps in the medium term and/or bring new skills to an organisation.

To help tackle a 20,000 shortfall in domestic gas engineers, British Gas took on 400 new apprentices last year, and plans to recruit another 575 this year and another 600 in 2010.

“Research has shown our apprentices to be 25 per cent more efficient and customer-focused than employees trained elsewhere,” the company says.

»

Training costs are recouped sooner than you might think.

Employers usually recoup their financial investment in apprentices in two or three years’ time, according to a recent study by the Warwick Institute for Employment Research.

While it’s relatively expensive to train an engineering apprentice, compared to other sectors, the investment is paid back in under three years, while the costs of training an apprentice in the hospitality sector can be recouped in just over a year, and some retailers can recoup virtually all their

26 » spring 2009

investment by the end of an apprenticeship.

Download the Warwick Institute research from: http://tinyurl.com/dx4qzl

»

Good Apprenticeship schemes boost an employer’s local reputation.

One of the reasons why Tower Hamlets residents are keen to get a job with the council is the existence of its Apprenticeship programme, NVQ Assessment Centre Manager – Organisational Development Jenny Dutton told an Apprenticeships Ambassadors Network event in Congress House during Apprentices Week.

“We’ve got a very good retention rate of 50 per cent-plus – we’re seen as the employer of choice in Tower Hamlets,” she said.

Improving equality Apprenticeships are central to developing an educational and skills agenda that ensures that no-one is left behind. They are a passport out of poverty, giving young people practical skills but also a base of specialist knowledge that they can develop throughout their career.”

EHRC Chair Trevor Phillips

»

Ensuring all sections of the workforce can access apprenticeships gives businesses a wider pool of potential talent.

By 2010, white, non-disabled men under the age of 45 will comprise less than 20 per cent of the workforce, according to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

That’s why it makes sense for employers to open up their apprenticeship programmes now to the increasingly diverse workforce of the very near future.

To reach out to currently underrepresented groups, employers should: G Ensure marketing materials portray a diverse range of individuals.

G Ensure recruitment and selection criteria don’t discourage or exclude certain groups.

G Provide equality and diversity training for staff involved in recruitment.

G Encourage apprentices and other employees from underrepresented groups to act as role models.

Photos: Learning and Skills Council

Apprentices « Feature «

What can ULRs do?

ULRs are well placed to act as mentors to support apprentices as they adjust to the workplace and to build confidence in taking up training.”

Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary

»

And even though the proportion of female apprenticeships stood at 45.8 per cent in 2006/7, a lot more still needs to be done to eradicate persistent inequality in apprenticeships.

For instance, in engineering (one of the best-paying sectors), only 2 per cent of apprentices are female, only 4 per cent are from minority ethnic backgrounds and only 6 per cent have a learning difficulty, disability or health problem.

It’s a similar story at the other end of the pay scale: in childcare (one of the lowestpaying sectors), only 3 per cent of apprentices are male, 10 per cent from minority ethnic backgrounds and 8 per cent have a

learning difficulty, disability or health problem.

Download the EHRC booklet Daring To Be Different: The business case for equality on apprenticeships from: http://tinyurl.com/bz7ll4

With their statutory rights to promote workplace learning and their training, knowledge and skills, union learning reps are usually very well-placed to play a vital role in the support on offer for apprentices in the workplace.

While senior stewards often have overall responsibility for apprentices, especially their pay and conditions, ULRs can provide a mentoring role as well as supporting the learning and career development of apprentices.

And if a workplace doesn’t have a ULR, the introduction of an apprenticeship programme can provide a good opportunity to create a ULR team, who can help further develop the learning culture in an organisation.

Alongside other members of the workplace union team, ULRs can play a useful role in ensuring apprentice training is good quality.

Download the new TUC guide Apprenticeships Are Union Business from: http://tinyurl.com/bbln3d

spring 2009 « 27

» Roundup » TUC Education with unionlearn

Our friends in the N

By Astrid Stubbs

All the range The range of provision is what makes the North-West such a success delivering the TUC Education Programme, says Regional Education Officer (REO) Pete Holland.

Now in his ninth year as REO, Pete says courses are run from 10 trade union education units within college providers, which offer a robust and professional service to reps.

“Our biggest providers deliver between 2,000 and 3,000 reps a year, with our smallest unit, but by no means less important, delivering between 200 and 300 reps from a wide range of affiliates,” he says.

“However, it is the significant local difference of what is required from a range of courses that means we adapt our programme to suit the needs of our affiliates and reps, which enables us to offer what we do.

“Our figures for 2007 (12,000 reps) were very encouraging, and early signs are that 2008 will be the same, so it is onwards and upwards for the North-West team and a big thank-you to all our providers, tutors, national TUC Education, the regional admin team of Pauline and Becky and anyone who knows us!”

28 » spring 2009

UNISON ULR Tracy Roberts (centre) receives her award with (from left) Assistant Branch Secretary Carol Coltman, tutor Cathy Roberts, unionlearn REO Pete Holland and Wigan College Principal Cath Hurst

It’s a tribute to Tracy

learning was outstanding. She Wigan care worker Tracy Roberts completed the course while has won the unionlearn Trade undertaking voluntary work for CAB, Union Education Student of the holding a full-time job and Year award. undertaking her new responsibilities UNISON ULR Tracy, who works for as a ULR. Wigan Council Adult Services, As if that were not enough, she’s t Wes received her award at the North completed an IT evening course, Regional Conference in Blackpool. attended short courses run by She enrolled on the TUC UNISON, Go Awards networking unionlearn reps course, run by Wigan meetings and unionlearn forums. and Leigh College, in January 2008.

“Tracy took every task set on all Her tutor, Cathy Roberts, TU Ed courses with enthusiasm, whether Course and Workforce Development that involved Employment Law, Co-ordinator at the College, noticed Equality or Learning Skills Research,” her dyslexia didn’t diminish her says Cathy. enthusiasm for learning and put her “Solid foundations from her own d she’ r forward for the award afte previous experience enable her to successfully completed four support other learners. Throughout unionlearn courses. the year she has openly and actively Tracy is currently studying for her promoted learning through the union Level 2 Literacy and Numeracy route, with her peers in class and in qualifications at the College’s Skills her workplace.” for Life centre and is actively TUC Regional Education Officer first the campaigning for progress for Pete Holland says Tracy has stages of the Go Award to be overcome barriers that would have implemented by Wigan Council. prevented many from achieving – Initially, Tracy needed some which made her an obvious choice additional support from the college’s for nomination by the college for Inclusive Learning team, but her this award. dedication and enthusiasm for

TUC Education with unionlearn « Roundup «

North-West Colleges stay at the cutting edge The partnership between Riverside College and Warrington Collegaite is at the cutting edge of unionlearn initiatives in the North West, according to unionlearn REO Pete Holland.

“They have made a substantial contribution to the work of unionlearn in the region,” Pete says.

“It is great to see trade union education playing a key role in the future plans of Riverside College and Warrington Collegiate.”

The Trade Union Education Unit has been part of Riverside College for well over a decade and has been working in partnership with Warrington Collegiate since 2003.

The unit has facilities at Museum Street and Riverside College on the Runcorn campus,

which helps ensure access to trade union education is universal across the area.

But 60 per cent of the provision at the unit is delivered in the workplace, making flexibility a key priority.

Due to its success, trade union education has now established itself as an integral part of the colleges, with responsibility for adult work-based Skills for Life, passport to progress provision and learndirect through U-Net and the Digital Divide project.

In 2007, Warrington Collegiate received the prestigious unionlearn Quality Award for its contribution to the Digital Divide project and Skills for Life provision, and in 2008 received the award once more for core TUC Education work with union reps.

In the last five years, the team has worked tirelessly to achieve Grade 1 (outstanding) status within both college organisations.

“We are really proud of our recent track record and achievements over the last five years,” says Associate Director of TU Education Les Doherty.

“We now offer learning opportunities from Entry Level 3 up to Level 3, with the facility to signpost to Level 4, and we have made a significant contribution towards the colleges’ Train to Gain targets.”

This success has enabled the team to take on additional responsibilities for development of strategic partnerships. This has enabled them to help ensure delivery, through trade union led learning, of wider unionlearn priorities.

Warrington taxi drivers receiving their NVQ awards from former Unite Regional Educational Officer Anne McCall (centre)

spring 2009 « 29

» Roundup » TUC Education with unionlearn

Women look to the future The Single Equality Bill, employment flexibility for parents and the role of the equality rep in the workplace were on the agenda when women trade unionists from across the North-West gathered for a one-day conference in Manchester.

Organised by the TUC Education Women Tutors Group, the Women and Unions Conference focused on the theme of Equality – what next?

The event proved a lively celebration of how women and trade unions not only strive to make workplaces fairer but also promote a forward thinking equality agenda.

Unionlearn Director Liz Smith set the tone for the day as she reminded delegates that women now are the majority of union members and spoke enthusiastically about their continuing role in progressing equality issues.

Guest speakers from the TUC National Equality Team and Employment Law specialists spoke passionately about equality in the workplace and society.

Delegates also discussed the role of equality reps in the workplace and the changing nature of equality law.

The day was a great success and, as one delegate put it: “You make us all feel stronger being in the presence of such a fabulous group of dynamic, positive women: well done for putting on a top event.”

30 » spring 2009

Preston College relaunches unio Trade union reps from across Lancashire attended the relaunch of the Preston College Trade Union Education Unit in Preston city centre.

The unit is supported by Preston College, one of the largest further education colleges in the country, which has launched new courses to meet rising demand for learning opportunities from trade union members in the North-West region.

The event was an opportunity for the unit to showcase its new TUC accredited course programmes.

Topics include employment law, health and safety law and workplace education and training opportunities.

Unionlearn Regional Manager Dave Eva welcomed the re-launch of the unit and the college’s commitment to working with unionlearn. He urged trade unions in Lancashire to get involved and to

Well-trained union reps are an asset to any organisation, says Preston College Principal Willie Mills

use the Learning and Skills For All Fund (LSFAF) to develop workplace learning projects that the unit can support.

Unionlearn Course Coordinator at Preston College Andy Birchall explained the overriding aim was to enable trade union representatives to develop the full range of skills they

Keeping track of new disputes procedur The rules on resolving disputes in the workplace are changing once again.

The TUC, in partnership with ACAS, has been holding a series of regional briefings on new dispute resolution rules, which came into effect in April.

The Employment Act 2008 repeals the three-step statutory grievance and disciplinary procedures introduced in 2004. In their place are new arrangements based on a revised ACAS Code of Practice on Discipline and Grievance Procedures.

Failure to follow the Code of Practice can have significant consequences for employers and employees at an Employment Tribunal.

The new arrangements continue to emphasise the importance of using grievance and disciplinary procedures to deal with problems at work.

The briefings, held in all the English regions and in Scotland and Wales, were designed to keep all reps informed of the changes and how they may affect workplaces.

They were also aimed at raising awareness of: G An enhanced ACAS Helpline 08457 47 47 47 open 8am-8pm Monday to Friday and 9am-1pm on Saturdays.

G A free new ACAS pre-claim conciliation service, available through the ACAS Helpline, which helps resolve workplace problems.

G A revised ACAS Code of explaining what's fair and reasonable behaviour when tackling problems at work.

G A revised non-statutory guide providing more information on handling discipline and grievance solutions in the workplace.

TUC Education with unionlearn « Roundup «

on unit need to effectively represent their members’ interests in key areas of employment practice.

“We have had a growing number of requests for courses designed in collaboration with the North-West TUC and run in partnership with local employers,” he said.

Each course will be taught on a modular, day release basis. The teaching style is informal and students are encouraged to explore the facts behind key issues and discuss realistic workplace solutions.

College Principal Willie Mills said that well-trained trade union reps could be an asset to any organisation. “Preston College is committed to working with employers and employees to ensure local companies have the skilled workforces they will need to be competitive in the future.”

res at work TUC Senior Employment Rights Officer Hannah Reed says the changes still retain the requirement for all employers to use grievance and disciplinary procedure to solve problems at work and protects the right to be accompanied by a union rep.

“The new arrangements also create an opportunity for unions to press for more effective workplace procedures, and to use the right to be accompanied and collective grievance arrangements to build union influence in workplaces,” she says.

TUC Education courses have been updated to include the new information.

More details www.tuc.org.uk or www.acas.org.uk Briefing encounter (back row, from left): Matthew Lawson (Unite), Brian Hart (URTU), Adele Berry (PCS) and Julie Acton (UNISON); with (front row, from left): Terry Duffy (ACAS), unionlearn REO Pete Holland, TUC Senior Employment Rights Officer Hannah Reed and TUC Regional Secretary Alan Manning

Meet the Stevenson’s rockets These are the graduates in the TUC diploma in Occupational Health and Safety from Stevenson’s College in Edinburgh, the oldest provider of TUC Education courses in Scotland, which provides training for over 400 trade union representatives over the full range of the unionlearn programme each year.

With the graduates are course tutor Penny Gower (centre row, second right), course coordinator Colin Arthur (back row, second right) and TUC Regional Education Officer for Scotland Harry Cunningham (back row, far right).

It’s all about teamwork More emphasis on union rep organisation and team working across all of the reps’ roles is the key feature of the new TUC union reps Stage 1 10-day course.

The course contains easily recognisable TUC advice for reps, such as a step-by-step approach to problem solving.

In addition, the work of equality reps, safety reps and union learning reps is treated as part of mainstream union work, not separate from it.

A stronger link to workplace organisation has been created through the introduction of a separate workplace report notebook.

This is to help ensure that what takes place on the course can be directly related to union activity at work.

There is also a renewed vigour in terms of the importance of communication and negotiation skills.

Rather than reacting to change, reps are invited to take a much more forward-looking approach to their relationship with their employer on the course.

Since TUC Reps 1 is, for many reps, the entry point into trade union education, the new course will help them begin to see their role within an economic and political framework.

Successful completion of the course can lead to the NOCN Level 2 Certificate for Trade Union Representatives (Stage 1). Follow-on courses are Stepping Up (Stage 2) and the NOCN Diploma for Trade Union Representatives – Employment Law.

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» Roundup » TUC Education with unionlearn

How Pauline learned her way onto TV Former forklift driver Pauline McIlravey has given herself a career lift and landed a TV cameo – all thanks to union learning.

GMB member Pauline started taking health and safety courses through TUC Education while working in Dunstable as a fork-lift driver.

As a result she became company health and safety officer and, when she was made redundant after 20 years, she was in a strong position to take on a new job as health and safety enforcement officer at South Beds District Council.

Her job involves investigating premises, dealing with complaints and following up accidents.

Recently her role brought her a spot on Channel 4’s Cutting Edge: The Fun Police programme which looked at the work of health and safety inspectors and showed Pauline investigating local nail bars.

As well as an NVQ in Health and Safety Pauline has continued to train and has just been awarded chartered membership of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without trade union learning: I think the training is second to none,” she says.

32 » spring 2009

Helping union learners go further The Supporting Union learning is complex, particularly Learners Into Higher Learning for mature stud ents taking nontoolkit is a flexible resource traditional routes. The materials designed for unions and ULRs are designed for reps to dip in to support members in higher and out of as they wish. learning.

The checklists and tools are The toolkit includes practical useful resources that are linked strategies for engaging and to a training module for ULRs. supporting members and This training is designed to working with providers and support the use of the materials employers to increase and is highly recommended in opportunities into higher learning. order to get the most out of The landscape of higher using the toolkit with members.

If you are interested in attending the ULR higher learning training module, please complete the online application form at www.unionlearn.org.uk/high erlearning

TUC Education with unionlearn « Roundup «

Promoting gender in the fight against poverty Integrating gender perspectives into all trade union activity is key to achieving real equality.

That’s the conclusion of participants on the pilot of new course Gender Globalisation and Poverty Reduction course.

The pilot included presentations from Helen O’Donnell of One World Action, Diana Holland, chair of the ITUC Women’s Committee, and Gemma Freedman, Project Officer from the TUC European Union and International Relations Department.

Course tutors were Irene Magrath and Alison Foster from the College of North London.

Delegates discussed the way in which globalisation affects inequalities between and within countries, and how it impacts upon women in particular. Participants then considered the international policy context and the trade union approach to making life better. They looked at the options for promoting activism in their sectors – from whole union strategy to simple, single actions among members.

For further information, email angie.birtill@souththames.ac.uk or tel 020 8918 7421.

Top marks for tutor Jeff Trade union tutor Jeff Amor has been named Open College Network Tutor of the Year in this year’s Inspire Adult Tutor and Mentor Awards.

He received his award at a ceremony at Llanhilleth Miners’ Institute, Blaenau Gwent, hosted by BBC Wales presenter Claire Summers.

The awards are organised by NIACE Dysgu Cymru, advocates of adult learning in Wales, to celebrate the commitment, knowledge and communication skills that inspire adult learners every day across Wales.

Jeff has been working alongside the Wales TUC for over two decades, training representatives and helping them to improve working conditions for thousands of employees across Wales.

Jeff is employed by the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) South Wales, which, along with further education colleges, delivers training for trade union activists.

“It’s been my ambition to make a positive contribution to the trade union movement in Wales, and

through my work with the WEA and TUC I’ve been able to fulfil this,” he says.

“Having returned to education as a mature student myself, I’m aware of the fears and apprehensions facing older people who return to learn – especially if their confidence has been affected by negative experiences.

“For a tutor there’s no better feeling than knowing you’ve helped to build someone’s self-esteem and boosted their knowledge, which has helped them to achieve things they thought previously impossible.”

Wales TU Education Head Julie Cook, who nominated Geoff for the award, says he has an outstanding ability to put people at ease.

Jeff has inspired many reps who come with skills needs and lack confidence in themselves and most have gone on to become effective and confident reps, she says.

“His skill, knowledge, inspiration and kind-heartedness has improved working conditions in hundreds of workplaces by being able to teach union representatives to be so effective and confident.”

spring 2009 « 33

» Contacts

unionlearn contacts All TUC email addresses are first initial followed by surname@tuc.org.uk

» Unionlearn

» Southern and Eastern

Tel: 020 7079 6920 Fax: 020 7079 6921 unionlearn@tuc.org.uk www.unionlearn.org.uk Director Liz Smith Tel: 020 7079 6922 lsmith@tuc.org.uk

Tel: 020 7467 1251 Regional manager Barry Francis Union Development Coordinator Jon Tennison Regional Education Officers Rob Hancock Angela Perry

» National unionlearn managers

» Midlands

Standards and Quality Ian Borkett Tel: 020 7079 6940 iborkett@tuc.org.uk Research and Strategy Bert Clough Tel: 020 7079 6925 bclough@tuc.org.uk Business and Finance Matthew Fernandez-Graham Tel: 020 7079 6936 mfernandez-graham@tuc.org.uk Communications Mike Power Tel: 020 7079 6942 mpower@tuc.org.uk Trade Union Education Liz Rees Tel: 020 7079 6923 lrees@tuc.org.uk Union Development Judith Swift Tel: 0151 243 2568 jswift@tuc.org.uk Development Officer (ULF) Catherine McClennan Tel: 07795 606 982 cmcclennan@tuc.org.uk

Tel: 0121 236 4454 Regional manager Mary Alys Union Development Coordinator Gary O’Donnell Regional Education Officer Pete Try

» Northern Regional manager Barney McGill Tel: 0191 227 5552 Union Development Coordinator Elizabeth Killoran Tel: 0191 227 5557 Regional Education Officer Ian West Tel: 0191 227 5572

» North West

Helen Gagliasso Tel: 0191 227 5567 hgagliasso@tuc.org.uk

Regional Manager Dave Eva Tel: 0151 236 5366 Union Development Coordinator Tony Saunders Liverpool office Tel: 0151 243 2574 Manchester office Tel: 0161 445 0077 Regional Education Officer Peter Holland Tel: 0151 243 2564

» Website

» South West

Jay Sreedharan Tel: 020 7079 6943 jsreedharan@tuc.org.uk

Regional Manager Tel: 0117 947 0521 Helen Cole Union Development Coordinator Ros Etheridge

» U-Net centres

34 » spring 2009

Regional Development Workers: Bristol Alan Shearn Tel: 0117 947 0521 Cornwall Geoff Hale Tel: 01209 611 604 Regional Education Officer Marie Hughes Tel: 0117 933 4443

» Yorkshire and the Humber Tel: 0113 242 9296 Regional Manager Alan Roe Union Development Coordinator Sharon Burke Regional Education Officer Trevor Sargison Tel: 0113 200 1071

» Union contacts Aspect Judith Hibbert Tel: 07968 322 969 judith.hibbert@ntlworld.com ATL Mark Holding Tel: 020 7782 1596 mholding@atl.org.uk BECTU Brian Kelly Tel: 020 7346 0900 bkelly@bectu.org.uk BFAWU Dorban Ippoma Tel: 020 8801 0980 dorban58@yahoo BSU Vikki Botham Tel: 07717 805 521 vikki.powell@britannia.co.uk Connect Kirsi Kekki Tel: 020 8971 6052 kirsi.kekki@connectuk.org CWU Trish Lavelle Tel: 020 8971 7340 tlavelle@cwu.org Equity Louise Grainger Tel: 020 7670 0214 lgrainger@equity.org.uk FBU Trevor Shanahan Tel: 07917 75 9473 trevor.shanahan@fbu.org.uk FDA Neil Rider Tel: 020 7401 5575 neil@fda.org.uk

Resources «

Jay knows MU Pauline Dalby Tel: 020 7840 5516 pd1@musiciansunion.org.uk NAPO Ranjit Singh Tel: 07943 827 353 rsingh@napo.org.uk NASUWT Jennifer Moses, Stephen Smith Tel: 0121 453 6150 lifelong.learning@mail.nasuwt.org.uk NUJ Linda King Tel: 020 7843 3717 lindak@nuj.org.uk NUT Andrew Parry Williams Tel: 020 7380 4800/4780 learning.reps@nut.org.uk PCS David McEvoy Tel: 020 7801 2727 ext 2360 david.mcevoy@pcs.org.uk PFA Alan Irwin Tel: 07717 467 718 ieteuk@yahoo.co.uk POA Andy Rowett Tel: 07917 699 210 poaulf@yahoo.co.uk Prospect Rachel Bennett Tel: 020 7902 6687 Rachel.Bennett@prospect.org.uk RCN Linda McBride Tel: 020 7647 3855 linda.mcbride@rcn.org.uk RMT Teresa Williams Tel: 020 7529 8820 t.williams@rmt.org.uk TSSA Jon Clark Tel: 020 7387 2101 clarkj@tssa.org.uk UCATT Jeff Hopewell Tel: 01302 360 725 jhopewell@ucatt.org.uk UNISON Pam Johnson Tel: 020 7551 1267 pam.johnson@unison.co.uk Unite Tom Beattie Tel: 020 8462 7755 tom.beattie@unitetheunion.org Unite Jim Mowatt Tel: 020 7611 2628 jmowatt@unitetheunion.org Unity Gerald Crookes Tel: 01782 280 588 geraldcrookes@unitytheunion.org.uk URTU Graham Cooper Tel: 07795 562 874 grahamcurtu@yahoo.co.uk USDAW Ann Murphy Tel: 0161 224 2804 ann.murphy@usdaw.org.uk

Jay Sreedharan, unionlearn’s website officer, answers some recent questions raised by site visitors Q How can I encourage my employer to take up the apprenticeship scheme?

A Employers often need to be persuaded of the case for getting involved in the apprenticeship programme, whether this involves recruiting young apprentices or giving existing employees the opportunity to embark on an adult apprenticeship.

In many cases a negative or indifferent attitude by the employer may be due to misconceptions about the programme, which union reps can do much to rectify in direct negotiations. For example, they can highlight the public subsidy that employers receive to support training costs: in the case of 16- and 17-year-old apprentices, all the training costs are met.

Employers can often be wary that the process of appointing an apprentice is complicated. Again, union reps armed with the right information can direct employers to a range of new resources, including the Government’s apprenticeship website www.apprenticeships.org.uk which includes a lot of practical information, including a new vacancy matching service and details of local contacts to support recruitment.

However, a key message that union reps need to press with employers is that apprenticeships are an effective means of improving organisational performance and business productivity by supporting skills development both in the shortand long-term.

In addition, employers need to be shown that engaging in the programme will enable them to access high quality training for their organisation. For example, they will benefit from apprenticeship learning plans that are designed externally and supported and delivered by local colleges or training providers.

Finally, in their negotiations union reps can further influence employers to engage in the programme by demonstrating that the workplace union will play a key role in supporting apprentices throughout their training, for example, by enabling union learning reps to mentor them in the workplace.

A guide for union negotiators and reps can be ordered from www.unionlearn.org.uk/AppGuide

Q How do I prepare myself to cope with the current recession?

A The economic downturn is beginning to take its toll on working people and their families.

Unions have always been there to help people resolve issues and problems at work. To help with the current climate the TUC has designed regional training sessions ‘Coping with the economic downturn' to help equip union reps to meet the challenges posed by the recession and provide a unique opportunity for reps to share ideas and experiences. Contact your Regional Education Officer for further information.

A short guide designed by the TUC with the involvement of Citizens Advice contains practical information about how best to weather the current economic storm. The guide will provide advice and pointers to further resources on issues such as dealing with redundancy, your rights to join a union and be represented at work, how to make sure you are claiming the right benefits, consumer advice, dealing with debt and support for finding a new job and planning a new career path. www.worksmart.org.uk/career/ downturn Redundancies are often on the cards from many companies and organisations.

To help you cope with the situation a guide called Facing Redundancy has been produced detailing information about redundancy procedures. You can get a copy of this from the TUC’s Know Your Rights Line on 0870 600 4 882 or by going to www.worksmart.org.uk Thinking about how best to develop your career in this current climate can be daunting. Deciding what to do next and what is best for you depends on your personal circumstances and what you enjoy doing. To help, unionlearn has joined forces with the Careers Advice Service to provide a completely free independent learning and careers advice line, 08000 92 9190. As well as information on courses, the learning and careers advice line will also provide a free careers advice and guidance service, including access to over 700 job profiles.

spring 2009 «

35

Resources ÂŤ

Free resources for ULRs

Women Leading in Learning For International Women's Day and TUC Women's Conference, unionlearn produced this new booklet. It shows what women are doing and achieving in workplaces all over the country to advance the learning agenda.

NEW

Get your orders in now www.unionlearn.org.uk/freebooks And postage and packing is also free

NEW

Apprenticeships are Union Business This guide for union negotiators and reps provides an overview of apprenticeships, advice on bargaining around apprenticeships, and practical suggestions for implementing high-quality apprenticeship programmes.

NEW

Integrating union learning and organising strategies This new research paper suggests that unions are increasingly promoting a relationship between learning and organising at a national union level. The research is based on a survey of national officers of selected unions and case studies based on their workplaces and branches.

Spread the word about the work of ULRs and learning project workers by ordering more copies of the Learning Rep. Give them to colleagues at work, learners and anyone interested in union learning.