the learning rep magazine - summer 2009

www.unionlearn.org.uk

Union learning issomething to smileabout for PeterMandelson

“UnionLearningReps helppeople changetheir lives forthe better”

learning repthe

» Summer 09

Exclusive

01 LR Summer 09.qxd:Layout 1 16/7/09 17:37

Three yearsof growth

2 » summer 2009

» Comment

The Learning Rep, summer 09Editor: Mike [email protected]: Astrid Stubbs, MartinMoriartyDesign: Redhouse Lane CommunicationsPrint: Ancient House Printing GroupDistribution: Cavalier mailingCover photo: Business, Innovation and SkillsSecretary Peter Mandelson photographed byJess Hurd.

20

5

14

30

6

18

28

Taking over from Liz Smith as the Directorof unionlearn is a little daunting, but alsoamatter of great pride.It’s daunting because, as readers of this

magazine know, Liz has been a strong andsuccessful leader of what has grown into aformidable organisation. And I’m proud ofwhat’s been achieved, because the two TUCdepartments that made up unionlearn threeyears ago were previously part of theorganisation department, of which I was thehead. I know Liz will be a hard act to follow.But she leaves unionlearn in great shape.We saw how well things are at unionlearn’s

third annual conference, where we reportedthat not only have we surpassed our target oftraining 22,000 ULRs one year early, we nowhave more than 23,000. In this edition of TheLearning Rep we bring you full coverage of whatTUC General Secretary, Brendan Barber, called“a most cheerful event”. And you can watch theconference online via unionlearn’s website.Having been in the job barely a week, I

appeared before MPs on the Business andEnterprise Committee at the House ofCommons. This was a useful opportunity tohighlight how employers need to raise theirskills game to an all-party group ofparliamentarians. It’s vital that we continueto show that unions and employers canwork together.And as you can see, I interviewed Peter

Mandelson in his new role in the Departmentfor Business Innovation and Skills. He told me:“I’m such a strong supporter of ULRs” – anencouraging message for us all.

TomWilsonDirector unionlearn

Contents:3 Goodbye Liz, hello Tom4 News8 Careers Advice relaunch10 Jo Brand’s learning story14 unionlearn conference roundup18 Barrie and Maria top adult learners20 Peter Mandelson interviewed

by TomWilson23 Learning at Keele24 Business in the Community awards26 BVT Surface Fleet leads in learning28 Meet Zoe, new TUC apprentice30 Unions providing equal learning

opportunities32 High marks from OFSTED34 TUC Education38 Contacts39 Jay knows40 Free resources

36

10

02-03 LR Summer 09.qxd:Layout 1 16/7/09 15:47

Annual conference « News «

summer 2009 « 3

Outgoing unionlearn Director Liz Smith introducedher successor TomWilson at the third annualconference in June.

After a prolonged and appreciative ovation for her final setof closing remarks at the close of this year’s unionlearnconference in June, outgoing Director Liz Smith introducedher successor, Tom Wilson, at a champagne reception forthe 400 participants.“In three years, unionlearn has achieved a great deal to be

proud of and I would like to pay tribute to everyone in the tradeunion movement who has played a part in this success. AndI would specially like to thanks Billy Hayes, who hasbeen an inspirational Chair of the unionlearnBoard for all his support,” Liz said.“Not only did we reach our target of

22,000 union learning reps, but we did ita year early and surpassed it by 1,000 –it’s a great note to leave on and I wish TomWilson, my successor, the best of luckin the job.”Tom comes to unionlearn after six years at

the helm of the Organisation and ServicesDepartment at the TUC. Before he started workat Congress House, he had extensive experiencein the education unions, first as Head of Researchand then Assistant General Secretary at theAssociation of University Teachers between1988 and 1997 and then as Head ofNATFHE’s universities department untilJuly 2003.“I am deeply committed to union

learning: my trade union lifebegan as a WEA tutor and Ihave at various times taught onTU Education courses, workedfor education unions andbeen involved in educationand skills policy at the TUC,”says Tom.“Working with the

excellent and dedicatedstaff, I hope to buildfurther on the alreadyimpressive achievementsof unionlearn, making ita permanent and vitalpart of the nationalskills landscape.”

Sayhello,wavegoodbye

Photo:Jess

Hurd


4 » summer 2009

» News

Billy hailsicon Liz

The London Fire Brigademanagement and unionLearning Forum set up by thelearning agreement signedearlier this year met for thefirst time in June to furtherprogress workpalce learningin the capital’s fire andrescue service.“Working in partnership with

the brigade will enable us toprogress the work we havealready commenced which willprovide learning opportunitiesfor our members and allpersonnel which can only benefiteverybody,” says FBU RegionalLifelong Learning Co-ordinatorTim Davis.After lengthy consultations,

New forum is all fired upthe learning agreement betweenthe London Fire Brigade and thethree trade unions FBU, GMB andUNISON, was finally signed atSouthwark Training centre at theend of March.“The signing of this agreement

confirms the London Fire Brigade’scommitment to the developmentof all its staff,” commented Headof Training and DevelopmentGary Reason.“This agreement will allow the

brigade to work in partnership withthe unions to identify and utilisethe learning opportunitiesavailable to support all staff torealise their potential and make areal difference in shaping societyand the brigade.”

Government, employers andlearning providers must takefurther significant action in theyears ahead if the UK is tobecome genuinely world-classon employment and skills,according to Ambition 2020,a new report by the UKCommission for Employmentand Skills (UKCES).Latest international data on

the UK workforce shows we areranked 17th on low level skills;18th on intermediate level skills;

and 12th on high level skills,although, when it comes tolifelong learning, the UK isplaced third highest in theEuropean Union.“To achieve our ambition, we

need to achieve more than 20million additional qualifications by2020 – equivalent to more thanone for every second adult ofworking age in less than 12years,” points out UKCES ChiefExecutive Officer Chris Humphries.Chris says that five major

We’ve got 11 years to reach theworld top eight

Unionlearn Board chair BillyHayes hailed outgoing DirectorLiz Smith as “a living icon to anawful lot of people” at a packedreception in Congress House tomark her retirement.“Your contribution to what took

place in Liverpool in the 1980sinspired people like myself to gainself-confidence through trade unioneducation,” he said, referring to Liz’scrucial contribution to unioninitiatives such as Second Chance toLearn, Merseyside in Crisis and theUnemployed Workers’ Centre.“We’re measured by our legacy,

and you’re leaving behind a legacy of23,000 union learning reps –unionlearn has been a spectacularsuccess in terms of what it’s done.”

Shake on it (from left): UNISON Branch Secretary Tony Phillips, GMB Branch Secretary CharlesAdje, FBU Regional Lifelong Learning Co-ordinator Tim Davis, Assistant Commissioner Head ofTraining and Development Gary Reason, FBU London National Executive Council Member IanLeahair and FBU National ULF Manager Trevor Shanahan

priorities that should drive UKpolicy and practice over the nextfive years:� Create a clear and integratedstrategy for economictransformation and renewal,aligning policies and practices inindustrial strategy, employmentand skills.

� Support effective economicdevelopment in cities and localcommunities.

� Develop more agile andresponsive skills and

Photo:RodLeon

Photo:RodLeon


Truro and St Austell MPMatthew Taylor officiallyre-launched the St AustellLearning Centre in May, setup with union and EuropeanUnion backing to help meetthe learning needs of adultworkers in his Cornwallconstituency.The Lib Dem MP was

particularly happy to oblige,having opened the originalLearning Shop in the towncentre five years ago (which wasclosed last summer despite alocal outcry).“It was a big disappointment

when the old Learning Shopclosed, so it’s very encouragingto see the Learning Centre backopen and providing even betterservices to adult learners thanbefore,” Matthew said.“Education and learning

support specifically for adults isvital in these difficult economictimes, to ensure that our localworkforce is as skilled andcompetitive as possible – that isthe key to future employmentand better incomes.”The Centre provides

customised Skills for Life and

computer courses with experttutor support provided by NewCollege, Swindon: learners canstudy at their own pace and evenfinish courses on their own homecomputer if they like.A partnership with Link into

Learning (part of the CornwallAdult Education Service) meansthat no learner will be turnedaway – if the centre can’t help,it will point learners to thosewho can.“A tremendous amount of work

has gone into making the Centrea first class venue,” saysunionlearn Regional DevelopmentWorker Geoff Hale.“It really is an excellent

resource: all union members,workers and businesses shoulddrop in and check out how thecentre can support their learningand skills needs.”New Centre Co-ordinator Les

Kennedy says the Centre will doall it can to support learners. “Inthese tough times, workers andbusinesses have to think aboutthe skills they need to see themthrough recession and out theother side – now is the time forpeople to invest in skills.”

summer 2009 « 5

News «

Quick Readswinners revealed

employment provision, capable ofanticipating employers’ evolvingrequirements.

� Transform individual aspiration,maximising motivation andopportunity for everyone to developand exploit their talents.

� Build employer ambition andcapacity to be world-class, capableof competing globally in theknowledge economy.

Download the summary of Ambition2020 from: http://sn.im/keyfindings

Ten union members will be appearing in print whenthe next batch of Quick Reads are published onWorld Book Day next March.They are the winners of the unionlearn short story

competition, which aimed to collect real-life stories fromthe world of work for a Quick Reads special next year.The winners are: Karen Barker (NUT), Demelza Burrell

(PCS), Anthony Connolly (Unite), Fred Creamer (Unite),Esti Mardiani Euers (UCU), Francis Kenny (UNISON), JohnMorrison (UNISON), Mick Neville (BFAWU), Garry Pettittand William Sutton (Unite).

Spreading thewordUnionlearn took the lifelong learning message tothis year’s TUC Black Workers’ Conference, whereUNISON West Midlands Regional Secretary RogerMcKenzie (far left) and Unite East MidlandsRegional Learning Organiser Maureen Scott-Douglas (second left) discussed the issues withunionlearn Website Officer Jay Sreedharan andTUC Race Equality Officer Wilf Sullivan.

Learning centre revivesCornishprospects

Photo:RodLeon

St Austell learning centre staff (from left): IT tutor Carol Pearson, unionlearnProject Assistant Carrie Mann, Centre coordinator Les Kennedy, unionlearnProject Worker Rob Garrett, unionlearn Regional Development Worker GeoffHale and Centre Administrator Jenny Adams


Unionlearn hosted a reception inWestminster in April to markreaching our target of training22,000 union learning reps ayear ahead of schedule.“This is a fantastic return on the

Government’s investment in unionlearning – keep up the good workand train many more,” enthused thethen Skills Secretary John Denham(now Communities Minister).Channel 4 News presenter (and

NUJ member) Alex Thompson, whoanchored the event, was equallyenthusiastic. “This is something that

needs to be shouted from therooftops and has been amazinglysuccessful,” he said.Joanna Szmit, the Polish bus driver

and Unite member chosen torepresent the country’s ULRs, receivedan award to mark the achievement ofthe target beneath a massive bannerfeaturing her photograph (she alsoappeared in the previous issue ofThe Learning Rep, of course).“I’m very glad I got the chance

to become a learning rep and helpmy colleagues: I hope the unionswill continue to train many more of

us in the future,” she said.Metroline Chief Operating Officer

Sean O’Shea (who is Joanna’s boss)and Head of Training Neil Colstonalso picked up an award to mark theoccasion. “This award is not just forme and Neil but much more for thepeople (many of them in this room)who represent union learning atMetroline,” Sean said.Everyone at the reception raised

a glass to the memory of labourmovement giant and pensionerscampaigner Jack Jones, who haddied earlier in the day.

Helped by funding fromunionlearn, the PrisonOfficers’ Association (POA)organised the very firstLearning At Work Day at HMPRochester in Kent in May, withover 100 staff dropping in totry out the activities on offer.With the event organised on

the topical theme of “MoneyMatters”, there was informationof on offer from the Debt AdviceNetwork, the BBC RaWMoneycampaign and details about

Family Tax Credits.There was also a range of

bodywork sessions: Lesley Nowellwas booked all day for footmassages; while staff membersLorraine Miller, Lloyd Morgan andBarry Ash offered colleagues backand shoulder massages, IndianHead massages and body“MOTs”.MidKent College and The

Open University ran stalls tospread the word about theirlearning opportunities, while

over 40 people signed up for anonsite IT course delivered by aTUC tutor from Lewisham College(and there are plans to start signlanguage, t’ai chi and Spanish inthe near future).“The day was a great

success: Lesley, Lorraine, Lloydand Barry didn’t stop all day andstaff are already asking when thenext one will be,” says POA ULRClare Hatful.

22,000ULRs by 2010? Piece of cake!Right on target(from left):Metroline ChiefOperating OfficerSean O'Shea,outgoingunionlearn DirectorLiz Smith, the thenSkills SecretaryJohn Denham,Metroline busdriver Joanna Szmitand TUC DeputyGeneral SecretaryFrances O’Grady

Cheryl Moss gets a headmassage from Lloyd Morgan

6 » summer 2009

Phot

o:Je

ssH

urd

Prison staff take a break for Adult Learners’Week

06 07 LR Summer 09.qxd:Layout 1 copy 2 16/7/09 16:01 Page 2

After joining unionlearn’s U-Net learning centre networkearlier this year, the BradfordSPACE centre has launched anew online learning initiativewith the potential to helphundreds of local postalworkers improve their skills.With the backing of the

Communication Workers Unionand unionlearn, the Digital Divideproject will enable CWU membersand their families who live andwork in remote areas to accesslearning opportunities.It was launched in June by

unionlearn Regional Manager DrAlan Roe, CWU Education OfficerTrish Lavelle and Royal Mail CentreManager Simon Scott.“The long-term aims and

objectives of this Digital Divideproject are to break down learningbarriers that exist for people whowork in smaller and often moreremote workplaces within Royal

Mail and BT,” explains CWU NorthEast Project Worker Andy Sorton.“Through learndirect, which offers

online learning, we are able toextend the excellent work alreadycarried out by ULRs and provide newlearning opportunities to CWUmembers and their families who liveand work in remote areas.”Since the SPACE centre opened in

2007 (the name stands for Success,Participation, AchievementCertificated, Education), it has helpedmany union members complete arange of courses, and was one of thefirst to launch the Six BookChallenge last year incooperation with TheReading Agency.Three hundred

learners attendedwhen the SPACEcentre ran itsfirst openday inMarch, and

Now that the new Department forBusiness, Innovation and Skills hasbeen created through the merger ofBERR and DIUS, unions hope to followup their recent learning agreement atBERR with similar arrangements in thenew department.Management at BERR (as was) gottogether with the FDA, Prospect andPCS to sign a learning agreement earlierthis year.Director of Learning and DevelopmentJennie Merriman, the FDA’s Rupert Marsh,Kevin Etheridge from PCS and Prospect’sShaun Hartigan put their names to thedeal back in March.The unions had already been workingclosely with HR Learning andDevelopment to encourage more staff totake advantage of new developmentopportunities, including apprenticeshipsin Business Administration, CustomerService, Management and IT.All three unions are currently recruitingmore ULRs to help spread the messageabout workplace learning.

Unionlearn and TheReading Agency have gottogether to publish aninspirational bookletabout how union learningreps in Yorkshire and theHumber are encouragingless confident readers toexplore the world ofbooks.Getting Reading to Work:

Unions, Libraries and theSix Book Challenge showshow the incentive schemeworks with short casestudies from Tesco, RoyalMail, Fox’s Biscuits,Fletchers Bakeries, CorusSteelworks and HMPMoorland.While seven workplaces took part

in the scheme when it was launchedlast year, almost 40 participated thisyear, and the scheme has been

shortlisted for the nationalLibraries Changes Lives Award.

Download the booklet from:http://tinyurl.com/mr3q7h

Launching theDigital Divideproject are(from left)CWU’s TrishLavelle, RoyalMail’s SimonScott andunionlearn’sDr Alan Roe

We have lift-off at SPACE centre

Skills ministry backsstaff development

the introductory computer courseson offer proved so popular that thecentre was booked solid for two daysafterwards.“The SPACE centre has been very

imaginative in the kinds of courseswhich have been run and the helpoffered to staff. Working togetherwith unionlearn and Bradford CollegeTUC Education Unit, Royal Mail andthe CWU have really worked hard tooffer Bradford staff the chance tochange their lives through learning,”says Dr Alan Roe.

Now you too candiscover the joy of Six

News «

summer 2009 « 7

Phot

o:M

ark

Har

vey


8 » summer 2009

» Briefing » Careers advice

Unionlearn has launchednew materials to promoteits Learning and Careers

Advice Service.The service is free, impartial and

confidential and helps people todevelop new skills, improve theirjob prospects or change jobs.It’s available for all union

members, union representatives,TU Education tutors, unionlearnand union staff.Sally Dale, Partnership Manager

at the Careers Advice Service,which helped set up the dedicatedservice for unionlearn, urgesULRs to use the service as part

of their toolkit.“I would encourage ULRs to take

advantage of all the resources andadvice available,” she says.“We have lots of hits on our

website but we want people totake it that step further and pickup the phone – it’s free andconfidential and can really helpULRs help people take up newchallenges and tackle the barriersthat prevent them in learningand work.”Sally says its advisers have

access to one million courses andinformation on childcare and othersupport in overcoming the barriers

Check out these services to helplearners.� Course directory for learners,which includes more than950,000 courses from over10,000 providers. Searchonline to find courses inyour area.

� Job Profiles section allows youto search more than 700 jobprofiles online.

� Free expert advice on learningor career options. Ask for aunionlearn adviser to call you

back at a time that suits you.All calls are completely free:08000 92 91 90.

� Funding Directory is a vitaltool to help find reliablefunding from non-charitablesources to help supporteducation and learning.

� CV Builder offers all you needto create a job-winning CV,application form and coveringletter.

� Skills and interest assessmentto identify key skills and

explore a range of relevantcareer options.

� Career values tool – an onlineactivity made up of a series ofquestions designed to helplearners make the mostsuitable career decisionsbased on what they think ismost important in a job.

What the services offers to ULRs

Opening newThe unionlearn Learning and Careers AdviceService offers ULRs a wealth of resources tohelp people develop at work.

Everything’s available atwww.unionlearn.org.uk/uladvice


Careers advice « Briefing «

summer 2009 « 9

preventing people going on tolearning. “These levels of supportmay not always be obvious, so it mayinvolve, for instance, signpostingsomeone to a counselling service tohelp them overcome a problem theyhave,” she says.Advisers can help people work out

what barriers are preventing themmoving on before advising themabout what’s available.“Our advisers can engage with

people to unpick their history andidentify what steps they need tomake to move on successfully andsustainably – whether that’spromotion or joining a new team.“We can talk to them on a number

of occasions to make meaningfulinterventions.”Sally says it’s important to remind

people that the service is not just forpeople out of work.“It’s also there for those who

want to move on or up in theircurrent workplace – there isheaps of informationavailable,” she says.

Promote unionlearn’s Learningand Careers Advice Service in

your workplace. Order the new poster(A3), leaflet (A5), and small creditcard-sized handout now. The postersare perfect for all workplace noticeboards, and any appropriate wallspace, especially in learning centres.The leaflets can be distributed duringclasses, in canteens and can be leftin receptions. Make sure everyone inyour workplace knows about it.Place you order (postage andpackaging is free) atwww.unionlearn.org.uk/advicepromo

w doors


» Interview » Jo Brand

Being as committed to lifelong learning as she is to the unioncause meant that chairing unionlearn’s national conference thissummer was no laughing matter for comedian Jo Brand (althoughthere were a lot of good gags).

By Martin Moriarty

worked in a bar as a cleaner for a bitand I had a job pulling the heads offchrysanthemums in a flower nursery,which was very exciting!” she recalls.She was 21 when she found out

about the work-based courses atBrunel University in West London,and enrolled on the Social Sciencesand Nursing degree.“I went and did an interview and it

was actually much easier to get in if

learningStand up for

you were a bit older and had slightlyrubbish exam results, so they let mein for some weird reason,” she says,with her trademark self-deprecation.Being three years older than most

of the rest of the first-yearstechnically made her a maturestudent, although she admits thatwas more by name than nature.She certainly didn’t feel attracted

to the genuinely mature (middle-aged and older) undergraduates.

“You do need teachers who areinspiring – they don’t have tobe Bertrand Russell, but theyshould be people you respect”

Photo:

DavidGiles/PA

On yer bike (left):Jo helps promotea World Aids Daybenefit in 1996

The first time Jo Brandreturned to learning wasn’ta resounding success. The

combination of a sixth-formromance with a local drug-dealerand a massive amount of skivingmeant she hadn’t covered herselfin A Level glory first time round,so she decided to try again.“I did want to go to university and I

thought I wouldn’t get in anywherewith two Ds and an E, so I took themagain and got three Es – hooray!”she laughs.The root of the educational

problem lay in her parents’decision to move fromTunbridge Wells, where sheenjoyed school, to Hastings,where she didn’t – shemissed her oldfriends, anddidn’t get onwith any of theteaching staff.“You do need

teachers thatare in some wayinspiring – I’mnot saying thatthey have to beBertrand Russellbut you doneed someonethat you have

some respect for, even if it’s justabout the amount that they know,”she argues.“A lot of my teachers at school

were just not very nice people really:I didn’t even feel inspired to be intheir classes, let alone pick up abook.”That’s when (“either consciously or

sub-consciously”) she decided shewas going to misbehave – hence thedeeply unsuitable boyfriend, herappearance at school on one day infive and the all-but-inevitable A Level

disaster that followed.“I was going out with this

guy my parents hated(possibly because he wasthe local drug dealer!)and my parentseventually got so fedup with me theysaid ‘You can staywith him but ifyou do you’vegot to leavehome’. Basicallythey kicked meout.”She spent the

next three yearsin and out ofdifferent jobs.“I worked in akitchen, I

10 » summer 2009

10 13 LR Summer 09.qxd:Layout 1 copy 2 16/7/09 17:35

Jo Brand « Interview «

summer 2009 « 11

Photo:

Jess

Hurd


» Interview » Jo Brand

12 » summer 2009

“There were a few people in theirsixties who expected me to hangaround with them because I was amature student, but I ratherungraciously declined that offer!”she laughs.However, the four-year course was

a much more positive experience ofwhat education could offer thansixth-form college.“To my mind, university is not just

about getting yourhead down and gettingthe best results youcan – it’s an amazinglife because you’relearning and you’ve lefthome, you’re trying tomake new friends, there’sloads of clubs on offer, so Ijust went for it on every front,”she says.

“But because I was interested inwhat I was learning, it made all thedifference – if I picked a specifictopic, I was really interested: Iabsolutely loved it there and I did dothe work because I wanted to.”Her first thought on finishing her

degree was to work in television, soshe pitched an idea for a series onracism to Channel 4 – morespecifically to Trevor Phillips, whonow chairs the Equality and HumanRights Commission but was thenproducing the ground-breakingseries Black On Black.“I wanted to work on a

documentary series on racism and ofcourse when I walked into the roomhis argument was that I wasn’t black;my counter-argument was thatracism is as much about being awhite person as being a black personand if we’re ever going to sort it out,we’ve got to start talking to eachother in a grown-up way about it –but I obviously wasn’t thatconvincing because I didn’t getthe job!”

So she put her degree towork and started as a

psychiatric nurse at theMaudsley Hospital inSouth London,joining healthunion COHSE (nowpart of UNISON) assoon as she started.“I’m a union girl

through and through,”she says – which is whygetting her Equity cardwhen she started out as astand-up on the ’80salternative comedy circuitwas about more than simplygaining a licence to perform.“It was a closed shop way

back when, and I’m a big fanof the closed shop: I think ifyou’re going to have thebenefits of a union, youshould all be in it; you can’tjust get all the benefits of

“My parents met each otherat the Young Socialists,although I think my dad wentfor the beer, to some extent!”

Jo Brand CVBorn in 1957, Jo studied Social Sciences and Nursing at BrunelUniversity and worked for six years as a psychiatric nurse inSouth London in the 1980s, at the same time as embarking ona parallel career on the the alternative comedy circuit.After her first Channel 4 series Jo Brand Through The Cakehole in

the early 1990s, she’s appeared on a wide range of TV programmes,from Have I Got News For You andMock The Week to Comic ReliefDoes Fame Academy and Countdown, and most recently was ajudge on the BBC series The Speaker.She’s also written several books, including the novels Sorting Out

Billy, It’s Different For Girls, and The More You Ignore Me, and herautobiography, Look Back In Hunger, is due out in October.Jo is married with two children and lives in South London.

Photo:

ZakHussein/PAWire

Photo:

TrishGrant

Jo struts her stufffor Let’s DanceFor Comic Relief(below) andrelaxes on stage(left)


Jo has recentlymade a DVD forEquity and saysshe’s a union girl“through andthrough”

Jo Brand « Interview «

Photo:

Jess

Hurd

summer 2009 « 13

Photo:

PiersAllardyce

on the challenge of learning to playthe organ in just four months forthe BBC series Play It Again, whichwas made specifically to encouragemore adults to return to, or takeup, a musical instrument.“I loved learning the organ – it’s

something I’d always wanted to dobecause it’s such a big dramaticinstrument: it was absolutelyfantastic,” she says.The next stop on her learning

journey could be a return to theOpen University astronomy courseshe started before the demands ofher young family and career provedimpossible to reconcile with part-time study.“It simply wasn’t practical with

two children under the age of threeto sit there and say ‘No, I’mstudying Neptune – be quiet andget back in your cots!” she says.But she remains a powerful

advocate of lifelong learning foreveryone – including the sort ofpeople (some trade unionmembers come to mind, forinstance) who imagine they’re notentitled to develop themselves.“My feeling about learning all

through your life is that it hugelyenriches your experience: there’sso much stuff out there, I think it’sreally important to say to people‘Look – it’s not other people thatdeserve this, it’s you’.”

and I had to perform it one nighton my tour,” she explains.“Obviously I was terrified that the

jokes weren’t going to work and Iwas going to die a death so I saidto the audience ‘Whateverhappens, just laugh your heads offas if it’s really funny,’ and they werevery good, they did!” (This is moreof her self-deprecation – it’s a verygood watch.)Always willing to put her name to

causes she believes in, Jo says herpolitical commitment comes fromher upbringing. “My parents meteach other at the Young Socialists:they were always very left wing, mymum actually much more so thanmy dad – I think my dad went forthe beer to some extent,” she says.“We were a family in which –

thank god – girls weren’t justsidelined into going shopping andreading Bunty: we would have veryferocious political discussion.”Perhaps unsurprisingly for

someone whose own developmenthas not followed an uninterruptedstraight line, Jo’s a major believer inlifelong learning: she was thespokesperson for Adult Learners’Week in 2007 before chairing thethird national unionlearnconference this summer.And she doesn’t just talk the talk:

she famously walked the walk acouple of years ago when she took

reorganising pay structures,protecting your rights, healthbenefits and whatever if you’re notactually a member – I think that’sreally unfair,” she argues.To this day she remains unhappy

when performers don’t automaticallyjoin the union, and is equallydisapproving of the big stars whodon’t seem to feel obliged to pay anymore than the minimum subscriptiondespite having the sort of lifestylesthat could support a flotilla offloating duck islands and more thana moat or two.“I feel rather disappointed that

some very wealthy famous peoplewho do belong to the union pay theEquity minimum – I won’t tell youwho because I’ll get into trouble, butthink big!” she says.Last year she fronted the new DVD

Gagging For Equity, filmed one nighton tour with new union-specific gags– a nerve-wracking way of workingdespite her years of experience, sheadmits.“What they wanted me to do was

incorporate specific jokes thatpertained to a section of their work,so all the stuff was written as new


14 » summer 2009

» Roundup » Annual conference

It was one of the very firstspeeches he’d made sincebecoming Minister for Business,Innovation and Skills, so peoplewere bound to pay closeattention to his opening lineswhen Pat McFadden reached thespeaker’s rostrum at the thirdnational unionlearn conferencethis summer.So what did he kick off by saying?

He thanked the now 23,000-strongnetwork of ULRs across the country.“The first thing I want to do is

thank every single one of thoseunion learning reps for thecommitment that they’ve made andfor the benefits that they’ve beenable to pass on to others.”Pat’s well aware of the benefits of

workplace learning, having openedthe Mueller Europe union learningcentre in his own constituency ofWolverhampton.“I saw there the real commitment

in the heart of Black Countrymanufacturing to improve skills,”he said.His keynote speech was sprinkled

with approving references to Leadersin Learning, the new unionlearnpublication focused on employer-union learning partnerships, and therecent Ofsted inspection of U-Net.To the delight of the 400 ULRs and

workplace learning stakeholders inthe hall (and probably to the manymore watching live online as well),Pat declared:� Learning plays a critical role inensuring the hardest to help canclimb out of the low-pay trap andearn a better living.

� Learning and training offers peoplea second chance in tougheconomic times.

�Developing world-class learningand skills is ultimately the way thecountry will be able to takeadvantage of the upturn.

Minister givesusaPaton theback

We’re on th

The trade union movement hasbuilt a network of 23,000 ULRs,after another record-breakingyear in 2008/9 in which we:�Trained 4,000 new ULRs.�Opened 99 new union learningcentres.

�Signed 200 formal learningagreements.

�Encouraged 230 employers tosign the Skills Pledge.

Download the annualreport 2009 fromhttp://tinyurl.com/nwgadw

23,000andcounting

Union learningis a success story,says Ministerfor Business,Innovation andSkills PatMcFadden

And Pat welcomed the role of theunions in developing the skillsagenda to both expand individualopportunity and help build the UKeconomy of the future.“I believe there is a real

opportunity here for trade unions toplace skills at the heart of what theydo as organisations but also to bepart of a national conversationabout how we make thebest for Britain,” he said.“Union learning is a

success story: it’sincreasing opportunity formany people and longmay it continue.”

TUC Deputy General Secretary Frances O’Grady (second left) and new unionlearn DirectorTom Wilson (right) meet David Cowey (far left) and Charlotte McConnell on the Tribal Groupstand in the learning and skills lounge at the unionlearn conference.

Phot

os:J

ess

Hur

d

Phot

o:Ro

dLe

on


Annual conference « Roundup «

themoveTUCGeneral Secretary BrendanBarber had a simple messagefor politicians and employers:“when it comes to learning andskills, unions really meanbusiness.”With Britain in the deepest

recession since the second worldwar, it was up to the unions toshow employers how takingadvantage of schemes like Train toGain and apprenticeships canboost the bottom line.“With our economy still

contracting, with job lossesmounting and with the global skillsrace becoming more competitive bythe year, the need for lifelonglearning has perhaps never beengreater than now,” he said.

Employers and union learningreps from London bus companyMetroline and public sectororganisation BrightonCityservices revealed how theirsuccessful learning partnershipshad changed their workplacesfor the better.“By offering learning, we get a

happier workforce, but also customersatisfaction has increased; we’vecemented relations with the unions;and we’ve eased the process ofchange,” explained Cityclean andCityparks Assistant Director GillianMarston.“People’s confidence has grown at

work and at home – it’s a win-win,”said Cityservices Learning andDevelopment Officer ElaineSweetman.Former Cityclean GMB senior shop

steward Declan MacIntyre explained

Howpartnershipspayoff

Unionlearn showcasedthe wide range ofworkplace learning atits annual conference

Unions reallymeanbusiness, saysBrendan

summer 2009 « 15

how learning had transformed thedepot, which had had a reputationfor wildcat action in the past, andhelped him develop himself first intoa union learning rep at the site andnow into a learning project worker forrail union ASLEF.Metroline Unite Learning Project

Officer Tom O’Callaghan explainedhow running English for Speakers ofOther Languages (ESOL) courses hadhelped workforce integration at the

London bus company.“When we got new staff from Eastern

Europe, they used to look for their owncolleagues in the canteen, but nowthey’ve been on ESOL courses they cansit at any table,” he said.Chief Operating Officer Sean O’Shea

said learning represented an investmentin a positive relationship with the unions.“Union learning has created a fantasticatmosphere in the garages to encouragepeople into learning,” he said.

TV presenterRobin Ross (withmic) interviews(from left)Metroline’s TomO’Callaghan andSean O’Shea withGillian Marstonand ElaineSweetmanfrom BrightonCityServices

Workplacelearning is awin-win, says

BrendanBarber

employers and unions,” he said.In an age of unprecedented global

challenge, the TUC and unionlearnhad shown ordinary workers thattheir best insurance policy was higherskills, he said.

“We know that businesses whodon’t train their staff are around twoand a half times more likely to fail …and we know that those who do trainwill be much better placed tocompete when those elusive greenshoots of recovery finally appear.”Existing workplace learning

partnerships were achievingspectacular results, he pointed out.The union learning centre atPortsmouth-based shipbuilder BVTSurface Fleet was not only upskillingthe existing workforce but alsorevitalising the firm’s recruitmentstrategy by offering practical supportto local unemployed people.“This really is a win–win agenda:

on workplace learning, I believe thereis genuine common cause between


» Roundup » Conference reports

16 » summer 2009

Howthings reallygotbetter for John

Conference on demandWhether you want to re-live yourfavourite moments or catch up withwhat you missed by not being there,you can watch the unionlearn annualconference from the comfort of yourcomputer chair. And you don’t have tosit through anything you’re notinterested in (as if!) – there are indexpoints to help you select exactly whatyou want to watch.

Just point your web browser at:www.unionlearn.public-i.tv

As chair of this year’s conference, Jo Brand kept things movingsmoothly, helped promote our new publications and slipped in a quickgag every now and then (sample: “I’m a member of Negative Equity,the union for people who are crap at acting.”)

» Roundup » Annual conference

cheer themselves up!” he said.He was partly inspired by Nick

Hornby’s football memoir Fever Pitch.“I did actually get to meet NickHornby – we were introduced to eachother at a scheme organised by theMetropolitan Police where writerscome face-to-face with authorswhose genres they’ve stolen!”After the novels The Best A Man

Can Get, This Is Your Life and MayContain Nuts, John then turned tonon-fiction and published An UtterlyImpartial History of Britain, subtitled2000 Years of Upper-Class Idiots InCharge, last year.“I said I’d write a history book for

all the people who weren’t listeningat school, which turns out to be justabout everyone,” he said.He’s currently at work on a sequel,

An Utterly Exasperated History ofModern Britain: or Sixty Years ofMaking the Same Stupid Mistakesas Always, and once it’s done, he’llbe back out on the publicity trail.“I enjoy doing publicity events

and going into bookshops anddoing readings in all the topbookshops – like Tesco’s! I’ve neverquite got used to supermarketsselling books: you go up to theshelf-stacker and say ‘Hello, I’mlooking for Gabriel Garcia Marquez’

Authors John O’Farrell and LolaJaye offered insights into thewriter’s life in their sessionduring the main event, and ran aworkshop to encourage peopleinto writing.John said he never aspired to be a

novelist when he was growing up andinstead spent many years writing forSpitting Image, and then panelshows and talk shows beforechronicling his struggles as a LabourParty activist in the best-sellingThings Can Only Get Better.“I thought this memoir would be

tucked away on the politics shelvesand no one would end up reading itbut I was amazed at the reaction – itstayed at number one for six weeksand got knocked off by Stalingrad: Ithink they read my memoir aboutbeing a Labour activist underThatcher and then read Stalingrad to

Phot

os:J

ess

Hur

d

John O’Farrell(above), amember of theWriters’ Guild ofGreat Britain,explains how hewrote anaccidental best-seller bychroniclinginquorate 1980sLabour Partymeetings, whileLola Jaye (below)signs copies ofher books fordelegates

and they say ‘Oh yes, magical realists –aisle seven!’He won’t review other writer’s work,

he said, knowing the pain of being onthe end of a bad review can not onlylead to personal heartache.“You got to these literary soirées and

what’s supposed to be a great charityevening with lots of cultured authorschatting to each other ends up with afight in the pub car park and AS Byattin tears going ‘Leave it Salman, it’s notworth it!’”Lola Jaye recounted how she was

writing for eight years before she got apublishing deal – a struggle she writesabout in detail in her Quick ReadReaching For The Stars.“Our own fear can stop us doing

what we want,” she pointed out.Achieving your dreams takesperseverance and self-belief, she said.


Barnet UNISON AssistantBranch Secretary SusanTimthong and College of NorthLondon IT and Skills for Lifetutor Malcolm Sewardexplained how working withTrain to Gain has helped themprovide courses for 250 staffand private contractors at theLondon Borough of Barnet lastyear, at a pre-conferencepreview of new research intothe union impact of thegovernment’s trainingprogramme.Barnet is one of six case studies

contained in a new resource packunveiled at the session, which

Nopain, allGain

Annual conference « Roundup «

summer 2009 « 17

Helpingmorepeopleaimhigher

also examines the progress Trainto Gain has facilitated at theNorthumberland, Tyne and WearNHS Trust, Cumbrianmanufacturer Innovia Films, andQueensway Primary School,near Leeds.The pack also includes an

example of how unionlearnaccessed Train to Gain funding tohelp staff when global packagingcompany Sonoco closed itsGloucester plant earlier this year,and details how the unionlearnTrain to Gain Development Workerin Yorkshire and Humberside hassuccessfully brought togetherskills brokers and ULRs.

Developing the partnershipbetween the Open University andunionlearn was all the moreimportant in “these challengingtimes,” argued OU Pro-ViceChancellor David Vincent in thesession on higher level learning.He urged the two organisations

to continue working together tolobby on education policy, improvework with ULRs and bettercommunicate about theopportunities the partnership offersto learners.Foundation Degree Forward (fdf)

Chief Executive Derek Longhurstexplained how the memorandum ofunderstanding between fdf andunionlearn had led to the launch ofa pilot project in the southern andeastern region to help more workingpeople access higher education.While research showed that 6

million people could benefit fromhigher level learning, many hadn’tchosen that route because theyweren’t attracted by the prospect of

full-time campus-based learning orassumed that higher educationwasn’t for them.“Working together to change that

assumption is what this project isall about, and I look forward tocontinuing to build on the fruitfulpartnership we have developed,”he said.

Higher levellearning helpspeople move onin challengingtimes, argue theOU’s DavidVincent (above)and fdf’s DerekLonghurst (left)


18 » summer 2009

» Feature » Adult Learners’Week awards

Not long after BarrieHughes began in theinfants school in

Wrexham, he bumped into histeacher at the bus stop with hisparents. “She looked down andpointed at me and said: ‘He’llnever be any good’.”Not the sort of start to leave a

five-year-old keen to get back toclass. And life didn’t improve muchwhen he moved up to seniorschool. “No one knew much aboutdyslexia in those days – basicallyyou were just left to muck about,so I got no education,” he says.Little wonder, then, that he quit

school at 14 when the familymoved toWorthing, Sussex: after aspell as a mechanic, he became agrave-digger where he didn’t needto do much reading or writing.“Most of the time I could bluff

my way through, like a lot ofpeople do, and say ‘I haven’t gotmy glasses’ or ‘I’ll fill it in whenI get home’,” he says.

By Martin Moriarty

Getting sent on a tree-plantingtraining course three years agowas what convinced him the gamewas up.“I didn’t want all the guys who

were on the course with me toknow that I couldn’t read or write soI bandaged my hand and told themI’d had a motorbike accident, but Istill wanted to do the course andthat was when I realised I had to dosomething about it,” he recalls.Doing his first literacy course at

the age of 57 was difficult at first,he says, but he persisted, and withthe help of his wife went on to readhis first book – the autobiographyof guitarist Eric Clapton (he’s a fan).“Reading about what he’d been

through, I thought ‘If he can dothis, I can talk to people about mydyslexia and not be scared of it anymore’,” he says.After training as a GMB

union learning rep and beinginstrumental in setting up a newlearning centre in Stanmer for

Brighton City Parks staff, Barriewon the National Senior Learnerof the Year Award during AdultLearners’Week.As well as looking forward to

learning to use computers when thenew centre opens in the autumn,Barrie wants to help more ofhis colleagues discover thepossibilities of learning: “Mymain aim now is to get otherpeople involved in learning –there’s a lot of people out therewho need help,” he says.And the Hove Parks and

Cemeteries team leader wants togo further in the future. “I’d likeeventually to teach people withthe same problem I’ve got, andknowing how people are, I thinkI’ll be able to do that quite well,”he says.Given what he’s achieved in

the past three years, there’s notmuch doubt about that – or thathe’ll make a far better teacherthan his first one ever was.

A park-keeper who learned to read in his 50s and a nurse who provedher father wrong: meet the ULRs from the GMB and UNISON who wonnational Adult Learners’ Week awards this year.

Everything’s

rosescoming up


Growing up in a Glasgow tenement with a fatherwho thought women didn’t need education andan unwell mother who needed a lot of care meantMaria Gough left school with three O Levels andthe advice to take a shorthand course andbecome a secretary.

“My dad told me I was thick, and that educationwas wasted on women – much of my education hasbeen sheer bloody-mindedness!” she laughs.

Now a Senior Nurse Practitioner at an NHS walk-incentre in Harlow, Essex, 51-year-old Maria has aCertificate in Counselling, a Diploma inPsychodynamic Counselling, a Diploma in HigherEducation, a BSc and a Master’s in law to her name– a roll of honour which suggests she’s a lot morethan just determined.

A union member throughout her working life,Maria became a UNISON steward and ULR in 2005shortly after her Herts and Essex Borders branch wasformed. She’s also continued her own unioneducation. “I’ve done a lot of UNISON courses – theEmployment Law course I did recently was absolutelyexcellent,” she says.

Maria was surprised to be nominated for aNational Learning Works Award during AdultLearners’ Week. “Being nominated for somethingdoesn’t actually mean you’re going to get it, butwhen I did get it I was overjoyed,” she says.

And she’s not done with learning yet. “I gotinterested in philosophy in the first year of myMaster’s, and it struck me how few philosophersare women, so I have been looking into thepossibility of doing a doctorate in philosophy –but I think I’ll probably have to wait until I retire innine years’ time!”

Maria receives her National Learning Works Awardfrom QCA Strategic Manager Stakeholder Engagement– Adult Skills Jill Matthews

HowMaria provedher father wrong

Adult Learners’ Week awards « Feature «

summer 2009 « 19

Photos:P

aulH

ickinb

otham

Photo:PaulHickinbotham


20 » summer 2009

» Interview » PeterMandelson

New unionlearn Director TomWilson asks Secretary of State forBusiness, Innovation and Skills Peter Mandelson how unions andunion learning reps can develop their work on the skills agenda.

the rightidea

ULRs have got

How do you see the link betweenskills and industrial policy, andhow can trade unions could makean input both strategically and atworkplace level?You can’t have a strong industrialpolicy, as I want, without looking toyour skills base and strengtheningthat too: they serve each other.When I talk to businesses, skills isone of the top priorities they identifyalmost every time.The world is changing rapidly and

we’re on the edge of a new industrialrevolution driven by the shift to alow-carbon economy and theimmense power and potentialoffered by new technologies andways of doing business.If we want to embrace change,

build our manufacturing and developnew products and services on theback of new technologies, thenaddressing the skills needs of thosewho work in those industries andsectors is indispensable.There is an inertia which we have

to overcome: in many companies,there’s still too little understandingof the fact that a company’s futuredepends on building up itscapabilities – and paramount amongthose capabilities is its workforce,and its ability to embrace thechanges in skills that come with

technological change.This can’t be an afterthought: it’s

something that is a condition for therest of the company’s activity andsuccess. And if it doesn’t get the rightattention and the right investment,then the capability won’t be asstrong as it needs to be and thepotential of the company and itsworkforce will be blunted.

One of the reasons why I’msuch a strong supporter of unionlearning reps is because they’vegot the idea and they understandwhat’s involved – not everyonedoes.Every day, union learning reps are

helping people access the skillsthey need to do their jobs well andprogress. There are now 23,000ULRs helping nearly a quarter of amillion workers: that’s a brilliantratio, and the more experience theyget and the more they build theirexpertise, the more that ratio ofpeople helped to those serving inthat role will increase – and that’swhy the Government is such astrong backer of ULRs.We’re working closely with the

TUC and trade unions to increasetraining opportunities across oureconomy – including through Trainto Gain, the Apprenticeshipsprogramme and our work tointroduce a new statutory right forindividuals to request time fromtheir employers for learning andtraining.The Government is also trying to

lead by example: right now, withthe unions we’re promoting accessto apprenticeship opportunitiesand skills training to those peopleworking on Government contracts.

Photos:JessHurd


Peter Mandelson « Interview «

summer 2009 « 21

Unions have welcomed theGovernment's expansion ofapprenticeships. How can theGovernment and unionlearnwork together to further expandthe number and quality ofapprenticeships?I think it’s a case of building on whatwe’ve achieved together so far: over130,000 employers are now offeringapprenticeship places across 80industry sectors, and over the last 10years, more than 2million peoplehave started an apprenticeship.We’ve got to take that success and

ensure we’re doing what we can todeliver even more high-qualityapprenticeships and enable morepeople and businesses in thiscountry succeed.Central to that is what you

contribute to the development ofthis policy: I know that the NationalApprenticeship Service and ourJoint Apprenticeships Unit valuedthe input of the TUC and theunions into new legislation andstandards for apprenticeships, andwe’re committed to working withyou in the future.

Peter Mandelson CVPeter Mandelson was born in 1953, andstudied Philosophy, Politics and Economics atSt Catherine’s College, Oxford.After working as an economist at the TUC and

as a current affairs TV producer, Peter wasappointed Labour Party Director for Campaignsand Communications in 1985.In 1992, he was elected as MP for Hartlepool,

where he continued to serve until hisappointment to the European Commissionin 2004.He was appointed Trade and Industry

Secretary in 1998, where he was responsible forthe introduction of the National MinimumWageand the creation of Regional DevelopmentAgencies.As Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

between 1999 and 2001, he negotiated thecreation of Northern Ireland’s power-sharinggovernment.He was EU Commissioner for Trade from 2004

to 2008 and was appointed Secretary of State forBusiness, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform lastautumn, and became Secretary of State forBusiness, Innovation and Skills following thecreation of the new Department in June 2009,when he was also appointed First Secretary ofState, and Lord President of the Council.

Photos:JessHurd


» Interview » Peter Mandelson

22 » summer 2009

“Through their work, union learning reps haveproven time and time again that they can helppeople change their lives for the better”

Man of action (clockwise from top):addressing TUC Congress in 1998; arriving atNumber 10 in 2009; and sharing a joke withthen then TUC General Secretary John Monks

Photo:Sang

Tan/AP

/Press

AssociationImages

Photo:John

Harris/reportdigital.co.uk

grow to an estimated £4.3 trillion inthe next six years.We need to ensure that Britain has

the right skills to benefit from thischange – sector-specific skills to giveus an edge in the growing low-carbon industries of the future andalso more generic management andleadership skills to bring about thenecessary business change.Our consultations with leading

employers tell us that employeeengagement is increasinglyimportant to their strategies toimprove resource efficiency andreduce energy costs.And I know there are already some

great examples of unions working inpartnership with business, to helptrain employees to work moresustainably, empowering people notonly to deliver the business changewe need, but also to become moreenvironmentally friendly at home.This is just a start. Through their

work, union learning reps haveproven time and time again that theycan help people change their livesfor the better: we’ve got to continueto draw on the respect colleagueshave for their ULR to drive our shiftto low carbon as quickly as possibleand ensure people have theinformation and support they needto prosper through sustainability.

We also need to promote theApprenticeship programme morewidely: over the next two years, theNational Apprenticeship Service isworking with the TUC on theBoosting Union Capacity OnApprenticeships project, which aimsto inspire more unions, employersand employees to get involved,increasing the number ofapprenticeships available to peopleof all ages and helping spread goodpractice in areas like mentoring andtackling inequality.We’ve talked for many years in this

country about apprentices andcreating new paths of learning andskills acquisition among youngpeople leaving full-time education.Successive Governments have talkeda good game without adequatelydelivering the systems and theinfrastructure and the resources tomake it happen.This Government is now turning

the corner in this area – it’s apersonal passion of the PrimeMinister’s.You need different Government

departments working together todeliver on making the system work:I think we’re doing so now with thenational programme that we’vemounted – but it requires constantdriving forward.

Building a low-carbon economywill require a major re-skilling ofpeople already in work. How canunions, ULRs and learningagreements contribute?The world’s low-carbon revolution isboth an environmental imperativeand economic opportunity. Theglobal market for low-carbon goodsand services, which was alreadyworth £3 trillion in 2007/08, is set to Ph

oto:John

Harris/reportdigital.co.uk


“I’ve always had an interest inequality and research and when themerger took place I was studyingfor my MA, having completed theCertificate,” she says.Karen became a research officer

and within a year equality researchofficer in the new union.“The benefits of doing the MA

were that my analytical skills weregreatly enhanced and I also did anequality module as part of the MA:it’s also given me confidence – it’smade a huge impact on my life,”she says.“Very few universities would

have allowed me to do the MAwithout having done a degreebeforehand and I was given thatopportunity at Keele – any otherroute would have been a muchlonger process.”Karen is now a project

development officer at Unite.“In 1995 I was a secretary and I

would never have believed that in2009 I would be an officer for thebiggest trade union in the country,”she says.

Unite the union officerKaren Cole transformedher life through a course

at Keele University’s IndustrialRelations Centre.“I left school at 18 with A Levels

but I’ve always regretted that Ididn’t go to university,” she says.“When I was in my late 30s I

started to think I would like to doa degree and I heard about theCertificate in Industrial Relationsat Keele.”Originally set up in 1950, the

university’s Industrial RelationsCentre offers a large programmeof part-time, distance learning,award-bearing courses aimed atunion reps, managers andanyone in full-time employmentwith an interest in industrialrelations.Karen says she was interested

in doing a qualification linked toher work, which at that time wasas an officer for a small staffassociation in the process ofmerging with what was thenUNIFI (now part of Unite).

She started as a secretary and is now working as a union officer: Karen Colesays her life has been transformed by studying at Keele University.

The Keele thatunlocked life for Karen

For details of courses at Keele visitwww.keele.ac.uk/schools/ems/hrm/

Higher level learning « Briefing «

summer 2009 « 23

By Astrid Stubbs

Back on an even KeeleThe passion and dedication of tutors andlearners at Keele University’s IndustrialRelations Centre helped maintain its 50-plusyear history when it was threatened withclosure two years ago.Learners and tutors helped fight off the closure

attempt to ensure the centre continues to be inoperation for people like Karen.“The importance of our courses to trade

unionists was demonstrated by the widespreadsupport we had,” says Senior Lecturer in IndustrialRelations Mike Ironside.

“We have successfully defended our jobs andour courses and we remain open for business!”

Karen Cole greatlyenhanced her

analytical skills onher MA at Keele

University


24 » summer 2009

» Feature » BitC Awards

Passenger transportorganisation Mersyeytravelcalled on more businesses

to develop learning partnershipsafter winning the npower Skillsfor Life Award at this year’sBusiness in the Community(BITC) Awards for Excellence.“We are delighted and proud that

the success of Merseytravel has beenrecognised at the BITC awards,”commented Merseytravel UNISONBranch Secretary Roger Irvine.“I believe that this demonstrates

that a formal union/employerpartnership approach can bringpositive and meaningful benefits toan organisation,” he argued.Chief Executive Officer Neil Scales,

who said the company was“absoluterly delighted” with theaward, agreed.“The support of unionlearn and all

the hard work of our ULRs have beencritical in promoting and takingforward Skills for Life within ourorganisation,” he said.“A partnership approach to

the skills agenda really works –I encourage other employers tofollow our lead.”Merseytravel has responsibility for

transport provision on Merseyside

and also owns and operates theMersey Tunnels and the world-famous Mersey Ferries.It originally established its

Merseylearn project after a learningsurvey identified that one in fouremployees had Skills for Life needs.It has cemented Skills for Life as a

sustainable element of workforcedevelopment by:� Ensuring solid, committed

leadership.� Embedding it in the wider

Organisational DevelopmentProgramme.

� Promoting up-skilling to itssupply chain, with 35 companiesfollowing suit by making theSkills Pledge.

The company behind passenger transport onMerseyside has picked up another award forits learning project – this time from Businessin the Community.

The drive to meet the specificlearning needs of Merseytravel staffand other employees in thepassenger transport sector has hadmajor impacts on the business:� £186,110 saving per year from

reduced absenteeism.� 50 per cent reduction in customer

complaints over a five-yearperiod.

� Staff turnover has fallen to4 per cent (the best for anyPassenger Transport Executive).

� 10 per cent reduction in disciplinesand grievances.

� 10 per cent increase in internalpromotions.

Alongside Merseytravel at the galadinner to celebrate the awards in Julywere two other finalists in the Skillsfor Life category with strongmanagement-union learningpartnerships in place – Boots andRoyal Mail (see panels).Now in their 12th year, the Awards

for Excellence are firmly established

welldone!Ferry

The partnershipapproach to skillspays off, saysNeil Scales, ChiefExecutive OfficerMerseytravel

Phot

o:Co

linM

cPhe

rson

24 25 LR Summer 09.qxd:Layout 1 16/7/09 18:04

summer 2009 « 25

BitC Awards « Feature «

as the UK’s most prestigiousrecognition of corporate socialresponsibility.The npower Skills for Life Award,

supported by the Department forBusiness, Innovation and Skills inassociation with Investors in People,aims to recognise and reward large

companies that are addressing Skillsfor Life in the workplace, highlightingthe business and human benefits ofworkplace training.

Find out more atwww.bitc.org.uk/awards_for_excellence

Royal Mail

Boots (Supply Chain)When Boots UK announced a completerestructuring of its retail supply chain in 2006,2,500 employees were affected by the plans toreplace national Distribution Centres (DCs)with smaller cross-dock facilities.

Skills for Life was placed at the heart of a peoplestrategy for those affected, with 18 lifelonglearning centres and local learning steering groupsensuring that everyone would reach their desiredgoal upon closure of the DCs.

The impact of the programme agreed with retailunion USDAW has meant:� 1,315 Skills for Life courses completed, and a

total of 4,266 qualifications and coursescompleted by employees.

� Improved employee engagement scores withinthe DCs – “I recommend Boots as a place towork” up 23 points.

� Engagement in learning has led to stableturnover despite the closure, which hascontributed to agency cost savings and anincrease in service level to stores, a criticalbusiness measure.

A key focus of Royal Mail’s Skills for Lifeprogramme is the National Distribution Centre(NDC) in Daventry, employing 700 people indistribution and processing across a 24/7shift system.

The pilot programme Feeling First Class lookedat raising numeracy and literacy levels whileimproving employee understanding of health andwell-being issues and has led to:� 47 per cent of employees undertaking Skills for

Life training� 46 per cent increase in confidence among

participants� Reduction in sickness absence for 95 per cent

of participants.

“The Senior Management Team encouraged theULRs to promote Skills for Life through theopening of the learning centre in 2005,” explainedDawn Denton, Engagement and DevelopmentManager for Royal Mail Network.

“This has been a great opportunity to work withthe CWU union, who have continued to endorsethe Skills for Life approach through activeinvolvement.”

Liz Chandler and RogerIrvine show off their BITC

award while Liz (below)explains to Prince

Charles how they got itat the gala dinner

FINALIST

FINALIST

Phot

o:Co

linM

cPhe

rson

Phot

o:Al

asta

irFy

fe

24 25 LR Summer 09.qxd:Layout 1 16/7/09 18:04

26 » summer 2009

» Feature »Workplace partnership

Shipshape

fashionPortsmouth

By Martin Moriarty

&Theworkplace learning partnership at BVT Surface Fleet is paying dividendsfor the company and its workforce.

Tony Brown had beenstruggling as a singleparent without a job for

over seven years when he finallycaught a lucky break: his localjobcentre pointed him in thedirection of a Skills for Lifecourse at shipbuilding companyBVT Surface Fleet.“I was unemployed for a long

time – just trying to get a job wasa nightmare: I was doing a little bitof this and a little bit of that, andI wasn’t getting the opportunitiesfor a career,” he says.Like everyone else on the Into

Work programme run by thecompany, the Confederation ofShipbuilding Unions, EastleighCollege and Jobcentre Plus, he’dnever had any contact with BVTbefore, had been out of work for along time and his adult basic skillsweren’t up to scratch.But as well as literacy, numeracy

and IT training in the union learningcentre, the 10-day programmehelped him with a range of on-sitepreparation for work including CV-writing and interview technique.“Coming through the Level 1

literacy and numeracy course wasfantastic because it gave me a littlebit more confidence with jobinterviews and writing CVs, and itgave me an opportunity to show

26 27 LR Summer 09.qxd:Layout 1 16/7/09 16:46 Page 22

summer 2009 « 27

Workplace partnership « Feature «

Leaders in learningThe workplace learning partnership at BVTSurface Fleet is one of ten case studies featuredin the new unionlearn publication Leaders inLearning, which is enclosed with your copy ofthis issue of The Learning Rep.It sets out how workplace learning can pay

major dividends for businesses andorganisations, not only by improving shopfloormorale but by directly boosting the bottom line.Other major companies and organisations

profiled include Boots Logistics, FletchersBakery, JCB, Brighton Cityservices, and theCrown Prosecution Service.The case studies are put into context in three

major interviews in the publication – withMerseytravel Chief Executive Officer Neil Scales,TUC Deputy General Secretary Frances O’Gradyand outgoing unionlearn Director Liz Smith.

BVT what I could do,” he says.He seized the chance with both

hands. “I’m enthusiastic and wantto learn and I take that into everysphere of my work,” he says.No wonder the company liked

what it saw: Tony is now a traineeplater at the shipyard, one of 40adults who have come through theIntoWork programme in additionto the 140 young people currentlyenrolled as apprentices.“Nowadays computer skills are

so necessary, literacy skills andnumeracy skills are so importantand people think ‘I can’t do it: I’mtoo old to do it,’ but they’re not –I’m 44 years old and I’ve learnt,”he points out.“I’d never touched burning

equipment, I’d never touchedwelding equipment until I camehere and it’s life-changing – to me,it’s something that should be donethroughout the country,” he says.Trainee welder James Marsden

had done a spot of welding yearsago before he, too, started on theIntoWork programme last year.“I had done welding very briefly

many, many years ago but no onewould give me a chance to actuallydo anything,” he says.“This opening has given me the

opportunity to come from nothingto become what I will be: a fully-skilled welder with qualifications –it’s been fantastic.”Fellow trainee welder Mark

Anderson joined the companythrough the same course, and sayshis time in the union learning centrehas proved crucial for his NVQ.“Computers were a no-go for me,

but the course we did has helped alot especially with my NVQ where

you’ve got quite a lot to do on thePC, saving onto memory cards andstuff like that – that was all aliento me but I feel comfortablearound that now,” he explains.For BVT Human Resources

DirectorWendy Fry, the intoWorkprogramme (like the workplacelearning culture it’s a part of) isa win-win.“The trainees are committed

because they’ve got thisopportunity and they just giveit everything – they want torace through it – and for me,I get people hitting production assoon as possible with all the rightqualifications and all the righthealth and safety knowledge,”she says.To begin learning their trades,

Tony, James and Mark switchedfrom the union learning centreinto the on-site BVT TrainingCentre, into which the companyhas recently sunk more than£500,000 to kit out workshops,IT and conference suites.“When we started, we were

there just to get the basic codeswhich get you a bit of experiencefor three or four months and thenwere sent out to do simple weldingand get used to the environmentand so on for about threemonths,” Mark explains.“Then we came back to the

training centre to do some morecodes and then went out to themain yard where they’re buildingthe ships: they’re trying to get usexperience around the shipyard inall different areas.”Overall, useful though it’s been to

get to grips with computers throughthe course, the IntoWork

programme has helped Mark makea much more significant changeto his life.“I wasn’t really in school: back

then I didn’t look at exams oranything like that because therewere so many jobs that wereavailable without qualifications,”he recalls.“I’d always done down-and-out

jobs, never really held down jobs,never been that way inclined, notthe sort of person to do that, andcame to a stage where I was 35years old without a trade or career,”he says.“So now I’m happy that I’m

building towards getting myself anactual proper trade, and I canactually say ‘This is what I am’ –I’m pretty chuffed!”

Trainee weldersJames Marsden(left) and MarkAnderson(pointing) in theunion learningcentre at BVTSurface Fleet,alongside(above right)apprentice TonyBrown andplater JohnMouland (alsopointing)


28 » summer 2009

» Feature » Apprenticeships

The TUC has hired its firstapprentice as part of itscommitment to apprenticeships.Zoe Molyneaux is starting an

apprenticeship in BusinessAdministration while doing theadministrative work on the TUC’sapprenticeships project.“I wanted to get more insight into

doing a proper job after I was toldmy A Levels would be deferred for ayear, and doing an apprenticeshipwas what I had in mind,” Zoeexplains.“With the economic problems

we’re facing, I thought that gainingreal skills and getting an insight intowhat a proper day’s work is allabout would put me in a great placefor the future.”Zoe has been hired along with

Apprenticeships Policy andCampaigns Officer Scarlet Harris,and Apprenticeships Liaison andPromotions Officer RachaelSaunders.The project is funded through

the National ApprenticeshipsService and will carry out policywork, including working with SectorSkills Councils and developing

existing policy on apprenticeships,and supporting and building unionwork on apprenticeships acrossthe country.The project will inform policy

information and guidance, runningevents and seminars and workingwith unions to pilot newapproaches to apprenticeships and

develop existing work.“We are working with TUC

regions, and trade union officialsand activists across the country,”says Scarlet.Since it’s vital the team is aware

of initiatives around apprenticeships,they’re keen ULRs get in touch withany useful information.

Three’s company(from left):Rachael Saunders,Scarlet Harris andZoe Molyneaux

More work needs to be done on the return oninvestment in apprenticeships and vocationalqualifications in general, according to theEconomic Impact Report produced in May byGoSkills – believed to be the first such analysisproduced by a Sector Skills Council.The report says qualifications are strongly

correlated with wage premiums at every levelin the sector, showing that passenger transportemployers recognise the contributionqualifications make in delivering economicallyvaluable skills.

Download the report at:http://tinyurl.com/na7cp4

GoSkills callThis bargaining guideprovides an overview ofapprenticeships, adviceon bargaining aroundapprenticeships andpractical suggestions forimplementing high-qualityapprenticeship programmes.This guide aims to help full-

time officers and senior unionrepresentatives in gettingapprenticeships on thebargaining agenda, insupporting and organisingapprentices and in buildingequality and diversity.

Zoe,you’rehired!Who better to work as an administrator on its new apprenticeships projectthan the TUC’s new apprentice?

Download your copy from:http://tinyurl.com/qw3mpl

Apprentices mean business


summer 2009 « 29

Apprenticeships « Feature «

The importance of apprenticeshipswas the focus of a celebration tomark their contribution to theMidlands economy.Outgoing unionlearn director

Liz Smith and LSC NationalApprenticeship Service DirectorCarolyn Savage spoke at the event,which also heard from unions andapprentices representing BrushElectrical Machines, Bombardier,Castle College and Lincoln CityCouncil. Young apprentices from allover the region attended.The event was part of the Trade

Unions and Apprenticeship Project,funded by the then Department forInnovation, Universities and Skills inorder to raise awareness ofapprenticeships.The apprentices’ project in the

Midlands has worked with unionsand employers to promote goodquality apprenticeships and hasdelivered excellent results.Lincoln City Council has taken on

three new apprentices as a result ofan agreement with the unions, which

Toastingthe future

Right and responsibilitiesand the role of trade unionsin apprenticeships areareas the TUC wants to seeenshrined in proposedGovernment legislation.

The Government iscurrently considering astatutory framework forapprenticeships, includingthe development of aSpecification ofApprenticeship Standards,setting out the requiredcontent of the newApprenticeship framework.

As part of this process itis consulting on detailedaspects of the newspecification as it will

apply in England.The TUC response to the

consultation makes the casefor the Government to setuniversal minimumstandards for theApprenticeship framework ina number of importantareas, while also promotingflexibilities to meet theneeds of particular groups,especially adult apprentices.

The TUC also recommendsthat the employment rightsand responsibilities elementof the framework isstrengthened and that therole of unions, includinghow to join, is covered inmore detail.

Right and responsibilitiesA scheme to create an extra35,000 apprenticeships aspart of a £140 millionGovernment plan togenerate new jobs waslaunched this year.ULRs are a crucial part of

that plan. And in April, theNational ApprenticeshipService (NAS) was launchedwith support for employersand individuals, including anational job-matching service.Unionlearn has set out five

key areas for unionnegotiators:� Equality and diversity:ensuring that youngwomen, black and minorityethnic (BME) and disabledworkers, for example, havethe opportunity to access

apprenticeships across theeconomy.

� Ensuring that apprenticeshave proper contracts andemployed status.

� Addressing low pay:10 per cent of apprentices arecurrently paid less than £3 anhour and those on low payare more likely to drop out.

� Training and support:including proper induction,health and safety trainingand good mentoring are allessential.

� Health and safety: youngworkers are more likely tohave accidents at work thanolder workers and safety repscan ensure that riskassessments are properlycarried out.

This is what we want

“shows that the authority iscommitted to the future, committedto the area, and that it has stayingpower,” according to building unionUCATT ULR Kev Clarke.At Brush Electrical Machines in

Loughborough, which currently has56 apprentices, the Unite convenorand senior safety reps are involved ininductions for new apprentices.And Nottingham-based Beamlight

Automotive Seating has agreed to

take on adult and youth apprentices.It has signed an agreement withCommunity, which commits it to payyoung apprentices the same rate asemployees of the same age.The project has also promoted

protocols for joint working betweentraining providers and unions, whichinclude agreement for unions tovisit programmes and talk to themabout trade unions and rightsat work.

OutgoingunionlearnDirector LizSmith meetsMidlandsapprentices


30 » summer 2009

» Briefing » Equalities

Disabled workers don’t enjoythe same access topromotion and training at

work as other groups of workers.They’re more likely to be in lowpaid jobs and face more barriers.But despite these problems Wendy

Calder was determined that herhearing impairment would not stopher gaining skills and developingher career.Luckily her union the Fire Brigades

Union (FBU) is committed toensuring that all its members andfire and rescue service staff haveequality of access to education andlifelong learning opportunities.Wendy is a Computer-Aided

Design (CAD) operator in the Fire andSafety Department at the Fire and

Union learning is playing a crucial role in the struggle against discrimination,according to the new unionlearn publication Opening Up Learning For All.

equality at workBuilding

Rescue Headquarters inNorthumberland. Through learningat the FBU’s Morpeth LearningCentre she has demonstrated to heremployers that she is a highlymotivated employee, anddetermined to succeed at work.Wendy’s job involves computer-

produced design work, so she has agood level of IT skills but wanted toimprove her maths and English. Soshe completed an initial assessmentin September 2007. Following theassessment and with the support ofspecialist support staff, sheprogressed through entry level andLevel 1 maths, passing her NationalNumeracy Test Level 1 in July 2008with flying colours.“Wendy is a very bright woman,

Union learningcan help promoteinclusion in theworkplace

Phot

o:Je

ssH

urd


Equalities « Briefing «

summer 2009 « 31

who did not achieve her full potentialin the past because she did notreceive the support she needed inmainstream school,” says Skills forLife tutor Lorna Taylor.“She can lip-read well, but relies

on listening since an operation. It’shard work and she is still practisinglistening carefully, and needs clearface-to-face instructions. In thelearning centre we offer a learningenvironment which is free fromdistractions and with one-to-one

“In the centre, we offer a learningenvironment which is free fromdistractions, with one-to-one support.”

Skills for Lifetutor Lorna Taylor(standing) hasencouragedWendy Calder toprogress at theFBU learningcentre in Morpeth

support. Learndirect is idealbecause it is online, text-based andthere are no speaking and listeningunits involved.”Wendy is about to take the

Level 2 numeracy test. “Mathstoday, English tomorrow, whoknows what next? The learningcentre support staff encouragedme to progress with my learning.I thought maths and English wasnot for me. I was encouraged bythe staff to try: I have!”

Download thenew booklet fromhttp://tinyurl.com/ll45mo

Unions Opening Up Learning For Allshowcases 10 examples of how unionlearning builds equality at work.� Training in ESOL builds workplacecohesion and assists migrant workersdevelop the skills they already have.

� Raising awareness of mental health issuesin the workplace through events, briefingsand training courses for union reps andmanagers and by promoting workplacesupport systems to reduce ill-health andsickness absence.

� Giving disabled workers the support,encouragement and resources they need toaccess union learning activities and achievetheir full potential.

� Providing support for women to gain higherlevels of confidence and managementqualifications through the union route andtraining opportunities for low-paid women at riskof redundancy in order to increase theiremployability.

� Running workshops to help low-paid black and

minority ethnic (BME) workers move intomanagement positions, and training foractivists to encourage new BME unionmembers and reps to become moreactive in their trade unions andworkplaces.� Ensuring that ULRs and other unionrepresentatives involved inpromoting and creating learningopportunities carry out their role witha clear understanding of what‘equality’ means in practice.� Ensuring that learning really islifelong by extending the tradeunion learning offer to retiredmembers.

� Opening up Skills for Lifelearning opportunities for hard-to-reach workersby providing 24-hour access, and financial andtutorial support.

� Providing accessible, affordable, on-site learningfor part-time workers and shift workers in theretail sector.

� Persuading employers to take on apprenticesfrom diverse backgrounds, and negotiating goodterms and conditions for these young workers.

“The booklet highlights some of the excellentfocused work being done to target specific issues ofinequality and to seek to redress them throughlearning,” says unionlearn Senior ManagementTeam member Mary Alys.“Hopefully by sharing this good practice, the

booklet will inspire people to try out similarinitiatives for their members.”

What a difference a union course makes


32 » summer 2009

» Feature » U-Net

Employers benefit fromlearning partnershipsthrough improved staff

morale, reduced sick leave andstaff turnover, fewer complaintsand grievances, and higher ratesof internal promotion, accordingto Ofsted’s inspection of U-Net.The report places U-Net among

|the best providers in the country,awarding a Grade 2 for all aspectsof learning provision. Ofsted judgedoverall success rates as abovenational averages and support for

learners as outstanding.The successful partnership

between employers and trade unionshas produced “learning… highlyresponsive to employers’ needs(which) meets learners’ needs aswell,” says the report.It concluded that this was backed

by good employer support to meetthe needs of learners who do nottraditionally have easy access tolearning.This was also reflected in the fact

that Ofsted rated Skills for Life

glowingsuccess rates above nationalaverages.The report also found that

“learners develop good skills andimprove their employability andcareer prospects” and there was highpraise for very good progression.Success rates for black learners haverisen from 54 per cent in 2007/08 to81.8 per cent and for Asian learnersfrom 70.2 per cent to 82.1 per cent –well above the national average.Ofsted judged that ULRs provide

outstanding peer support as

How Sellafield centre offers learning to the whole nuclear family

UnionlearnRegionalManagerBarney McGill(left) withSellafieldlearningcentre staff

reportOfsted gives us a

Unionlearn’s network oflearning centres hasgained top marks from anindependent inspection.

By Astrid Stubbs

The union learning centre atSellafield prides itself onhelping learners with trainingneeds at more than one level.Joanne came to the learningcentre in May. She’d struggledwith maths at school, and shehad targeted a Level 2qualification.Learning centre staff helped her

through several courses and sheeventually felt confident enough totake the National Test. She passed,and was then able to move ontowhat had been her ultimate aim –a Degree in Business Studies forwhich she required a suitablemaths qualification.Set up in 2003, the centre is a

partnership between the on-siteunions, including Prospect andUnite, the TUC and British NuclearGroup (BNG) management.

It offers a wide range of services,reflecting the needs of the diverselearner group. Many of the BNGstaff and other users of the centrecome from nearby areas of socialdeprivation, and have had limitedor poor education experiences. Atthe same time, because of thescientific and technical complexityof work at BNG, there are also many

learners who are graduates andpostgraduates.ULRs play a central role in the

work of the centre. There are nowmore than 50 at British NuclearGroup and each one brings theirown unique set of skills: two aretrained to Certificate of Educationstandard and have embarked on aspecialist qualification in literacyand numeracy; a further three aresuper-ULRs who can give IIP-standard advice and guidance sinceBritish Nuclear Group was selectedto run a national pilot for Prospect.

“The learning initiative at BritishNuclear Group is a true example ofpartnership working between thecompany and unions bringingmutual benefits,” says BNG’s Headof HR David Savage.“It supports the workforce by

helping them achieve new skills and


summer 2009 « 33

U-Net « Feature «

meeting their personal potential, andit supports the business as staff aremore receptive to learning and self-development, making them betterable to cope with the demandsof a changing workenvironment.”Unionlearn Regional Manager

Barney McGill says it’s a credit tothe ULRs at BNG learning centrethat this initiative has beenrecognised.Sellafield Sites Learning

Centre Manager Dave Rileysays the centre has alwaysstrived to deliver thebest possible learningexperience.“The fact that we

have been awardeda Grade 2 byOfsted gives us atremendous

ULR Clark Summers trained to be a ULR at theaward-winning trade union learning centre atDerby College.The department helps learners from around

the region and works with many unions.It also has a good rapport with its learners,

80 per cent of whom have rated the support theyreceived at the centre as very good or excellent.The centre has very well-developed links with

local ULRs like Clark who are actively engaged indeveloping blended learning approaches to meetthe needs of local workplace learners.“I found out about the course from my UNISON

Learning Co-ordinator. I’m part of a team of fourULRs working at De Montfort University in Leicester.I’m a relatively new recruit to the branch but hopeto get involved in more projects over thecoming months and years,” explains Clark.“The course gave me the confidence to carry

out my duties. It provided clear guidance of whatwas expected of me as a ULR and what supportI could call upon from my employer and alsoUNISON/other members.“Getting to meet other ULRs was great: we

were able to share our varying experiences in theworkplace and the problem-solving sessions(where we worked in groups) were particularlybeneficial – the enthusiasm of the class in generalwas inspiring!

“Lifelong learning is something I passionatelybelieve in: I’d like to help people get the same kickI get out of learning a new skill! It’s always good toput something back into the community and I’vebeen very lucky myself with the learningopportunities I’ve been provided with.”

Clark’s a super ULR

mentors, advocates, negotiators, rolemodels and advisers, whose inputlearners value highly and cite as oneof the most important elements intheir learning.TUC Education, which supports

ULRs, was described as offering“a well-designed set of specialistqualifications (which) empowerULRs and equips them well tosupport learners” and said regularsupplementary training maintainedtheir expertise.“Ofsted’s praise for our work

among non-traditional learners andfor ULRs proves what we have alwayssaid – that unionlearn reacheslearners other organisations cannotreach,” says TUC General SecretaryBrendan Barber.“I am particularly pleased that

U-Net has been recognised for itsstrong ethos to widen participation

“Ofsted’s praise for our work and forULRs proves what we have always said– that unionlearn reaches learnersother organisations cannot reach”

Learnersrate DerbyCollege veryhighly

BNG Head of HR David Savage (right) andLearning Centre Manager Dave Riley

boost as it shows that the learningcentre is up there among the bestproviders in the country,” he says.

in learning and promote socialinclusion and that success rates forBlack and Asian learners have risento well above the national average.”Unionlearn’s mission to change

lives through learning has certainlyworked for some of the learners whospoke to Ofsted. One said: “I read abook to my little grandchild the otherday – it was magic.” Another is nowhelping their child with homeworkand said: “When my daughter askedfor help on prisms and cuboids,I said ‘Leave it to me!’”One woman who is completely

changing her career thanks to union-led learning told Ofsted: “My schoolsaid I wasn’t bright enough fornursing – now I know it’s not true.”

Download a full copy ofthe Ofsted report from:

http://tinyurl.com/lcw9tq


“This is an excellentachievement for the TUEducation department whichrecognises the hard workand dedication that tutorshave in providing high-quality education andtraining for all tradeunion reps,” commentedCarlisle College PrincipalMoira Tattersall.“It further highlights

the commitment CarlisleCollege has to ensuringcontinued growth andprovision of the TUCEducation programme.”

John gets guided learningVisually-impairedCommunity memberJohn Atkinson hasachieved the TUCULR Level 2Certificate atCarlisle College TUEd Department –with a little helpfrom four- and two-legged friends.Communitas Senior

Project Officer IanAngus signposted John, whoworks for Cumbria CountyCouncil, to the college.John, who has a guide dog

called Theo, was provided withAdditional Learning Supportby the college throughout theduration of the course.“I didn’t feel excluded inany way,’’ he explains.‘’I enjoyed the course very

Gemmakeeps on studyingUNISON local organiser Gemma Taylor is a realtestament to the success of TU Education.In just four years, Gemma has progressed from being a

steward at her former workplace at Sunderland City Councilto her full-time union role.Along the way she has taken a clutch of courses,

including Reps, ULR, Equality and Diversity, Pension, SignLanguage, Discipline and Grievance, and Health and Safety.She’s currently working on her TUC Diploma in

Employment Law after being awarded for the BestPerformance in TUC Courses.“Gaining knowledge and experience from the

TUC courses has helped me progressfrom being a steward to an AssistantBranch Secretary to becoming a full-time Local Organiser in UNISON’sNorthern Region,” says Gemma.“Working for UNISON has alwaysbeen something close to myheart. The TUC and UNISONhave helped me progress towhere I am today and I’dencourage anybody todo likewise.”

much: it was veryuseful. I enjoyednetworking withfellow trade unionistsand particularlytaking part in therole-play activities.”Carlisle College TUC

Co-ordinator GarryHunter commented:‘’John was anexcellent member ofthe group and

contributed enormously to thediverse experiences of the class.’’John has already started using his

new-found knowledge and skills asa ULR in the workplace. He’s alsoplanning to enrol on the EqualityReps course at Carlisle College laterin the year. “Because of my disability,I can have some relevant input andunderstand the legal requirements ofemployers,’’ he says.

It’s award number 12

All points north

Notching up 12 unionlearnQuality Award demonstrateshow the Northern regioncontinues to offer top-drawerlearning.“There are now 12 education

providers in the Northern regionwho have achieved the QualityAward, which demonstrates thehigh level of quality learning thatis taking place across the wholeregion,” commented RegionalEducation Officer Ian West.The latest award was presented

to Carlisle College Trade UnionEducation Department during theunionlearn annual conference.

34 » summer 2009

» Roundup » TUC Education with unionlearn

TUC education is going from strength to strength in the Northern region – just lookat the number of Quality Awards its education providers are picking up.

By Astrid Stubbs

Garry Hunter picksup the CarlisleCollege award fromJo Brand and (below)presents blind ULRJohn Atkinson withhis certificate

Phot

o:Je

ssH

urd


TheWorkers EducationalAssociation (WEA) in partnershipwith trade union education hascelebrated the first OccupationalHealth and Safety Diploma coursetaught by Chris Thackrah, WEACoordinator at Barrow in Furness.The ten health and safety

representatives on the course allattended the presentation night,receiving certificates from theRegional Education Officer Ian West.During the night, various learners

commented on how they hadenjoyed the course and how it hadbenefited not only them but alsotheir members in the workplace.

WEAhelps safety reps gain diplomas

Reps celebrate passing the Health andSafety Diploma course

Farewell to Dot and JohnTrade union education in theregion bids a farewell to tworetiring coordinators thissummer – John McCormackfrom Northumberland Collegeand Dot Burnett fromSunderland College.Dot has been a member of the

CWU and its predecessor unionssince 1969 and served as a branchofficial, NEC member and Presidentof the UCW before it helped formthe CWU.She started in TUC Education in

2001 as a tutor at Carlisle Collegeand was appointed Coordinator atSunderland College in 2003.

“I am proud to have beeninvolved in the promotion of learningfor union members and officials,”she says.“I did not have this opportunity

when I was a rep and I believethat TUC Education and unionlearnhave worked very hard to makethese opportunities accessible to alltrade union members – this is agreat success story.”John has been a TU studies tutor at

Northumberland College for over 20years and been active throughout

the local and regional labourmovement.“Trade union studies centres

provide an essential service to theunion movement, ensuring that repsare well trained, motivated and ableto develop the confidence to engagewith management and moreeffectively represent their members,”he says.But the world of trade union

studies isn’t losing John completely.“I intend to carry on in a part-timecapacity until either myself orunionlearn decide it’s time for me tohang up my board marker!” he says.

JohnMcCormackand DotBurnett areflanked byRegionalEducationOfficer IanWest (left)and RegionalManagerBarney McGill

TUC Education with unionlearn « Roundup «

summer 2009 « 35


A new TUC Education workbookto help trade unionists targetissues around climate change isnow available.The workbook is an

accompaniment to the increasinglypopular Environment Reps course.Trade unions are at the forefront

of understanding the need toprotect the environment and playa critical role in changing employerattitudes and taking greening theworkplace seriously.Environmental reps in the

workplace are achieving energysavings and huge cost benefits fortheir employers. Small steps, suchas recycling paper or turning offlights, can make an enormousdifference.But unions and employers

need to do much more to helpUK businesses clean up theiract and begin to make a realchange. Raising awareness andeducating members will give thema better understanding of

environmental issues.The TUC’s Environment Reps

online course has been designedto meet the growing demand fromtrade union members and reps forinformation, knowledge and skillsto deal with such issues.“Union reps are tremendously

enthusiastic about taking on thechallenge of climate change,” saysLiz Rees of TUC Education.“Making workplaces sustainable

is the key to making jobssustainable, and union reps are atthe heart of making a difference atwork – winning workplacecommitment, encouraging reluctantemployers and making sure thatfar-reaching change is negotiated.This workbook and the coursesit supports helps green reps dojust that.”The next course starts in

October and will takeapproximately 30 hours, deliveredover 10 weeks. To book, [email protected]

James drives up standardsBus driver and ULR James Lillishas won the Helen DowieAward for Lifelong Learning forhis part in making learningopportunities accessible to allhis colleagues at First Glasgow.The company employs a large

number of Eastern European

migrant workers so James learnedto speak Polish.“When new employees come to

Scotland, it can be a problem. AsULRs, we sit down and help themso they can do their job. It’s abrilliant thing to help others growin confidence as they strengthentheir everyday skills,” he says.As a result of his commitment,

Polish workers beginning work withFirst Glasgow actively approach theunion to join.James has also designed,

developed and now runs a coursethat shows the hazards a driver canencounter on bus routes inGlasgow. The course also exploresissues such as vehicle checks andcustomer care.James also runs the workplace

learning centre, where he promotesparticipation in lifelong learning

through short story competitionsand setting up various literacyand numeracy initiatives.He received his award at the

STUC Annual Congress in Perthfrom Cabinet Secretary forEducation and Lifelong LearningFiona Hyslop MSP.“James has been instrumental

in supporting migrant workers inLarkfield develop theircommunication skills,” she said.“It is so important that everyonein Scotland gets the opportunityto develop their skills andlearning.”Unite Regional Secretary John

Quigley added: “The lifelonglearning project at First Bus hasgiven our members newopportunities to improve theirskills, and to get support andguidance from the union.”

James Lillisreceives hisaward from FionaHyslop MSP andSTUC GeneralSecretaryGrahame Smith

36 » summer 2009

» Roundup » TUC Education with unionlearn

Green is goodPh

oto:

Loui

sFl

ood


TUC Education with unionlearn « Roundup «

summer 2009 « 37

among fellow workers and theirown unions.

� Encouraging employers to makeequality and diversity part ofmainstream collectivebargaining.

� Working with vulnerable workersand trying to ensure that everyworker receives fair treatmentregardless of gender, race,disability, religion, age, genderreassignment or sexuality.“The booklet has been very

enthusiastically received by the220 equality reps trained sinceSeptember 2008,” says TUCEquality Reps Officer Theresa Daly.“The resources and activities

have enabled them to make adifference a work: in anindependent survey of the trainedreps, 65 per cent reported asuccess at work after the course.”

Details of Equality Repscourses are available at

http://tinyurl.com/ll3bds

Promoting equality anddiversity and challengingdiscrimination are keypriorities for the TUC and itsees union equality repsplaying a crucially importantrole in the battle againstdiscrimination and unfairness.Now they have been helped in

their role with a pioneeringtraining course workbookWinning in the Workplace,launched to help them get togrips with the new and changingequality agenda.The aim of the book is to help

encourage a more systemicmovement-wide approach,creating a network of equalityreps and spreading best practice.It complements the informationcovered on the Equaity Repscourse.It’s hoped the materials will

help equality reps promotefairness in the workplace by:� Raising the equality agenda

A range of professions,including a clinical technician,a sound engineer, adminworkers, civil servants, an NGOworker, a trade union officer,teachers and lecturers, took partin the latest TUC’s Gender,Globalisation and PovertyReduction course.Women make up an ever-

growing majority of the world’spoor. The course explored theunequal impact of globalisationand the challenges it presents forinternational development,together with some of thecampaigning tools and activitiesthat can help union membersorganise around the issues.The course at South Thames

College was aimed at union repsand members. It explored howwomen’s health, wealth and well-being worldwide are affected by

globalisation and consideredthe extent to which keyinternational policies such as theUN Millennium Development Goalsand the ILO’s Decent Work Agendaprovide us with the tools forcombating this trend.Adwoa Sakyi, of the General

Agricultural Workers Union ofGTUC, and Didem Ozdemir, Playfaircampaign, both addressed the

Women take global action on poverty

Women from awide range ofprofessions tookpart in the latestGender,Globalisation andPovertyReducationcourse

course, offering a lot of inspirationto plan different union strategies.In addition, the course offered

the chance to reflect on delegates’own sectors and to considerorganising projects around theissues appropriate to theirunion/workplace situation.Celebrations at the end of the

course included women from theNUS, UNISON, UCU and GMB.

New tool for equality reps


38 » summer 2009

» UnionlearnTel: 020 7079 6920Fax: 020 7079 [email protected] Tom WilsonTel: 020 7079 [email protected]

» National unionlearnmanagersStandards and QualityIan BorkettTel: 020 7079 [email protected] and StrategyBert CloughTel: 020 7079 [email protected] and FinanceMatthew Fernandez-GrahamTel: 020 7079 [email protected] PowerTel: 020 7079 [email protected] Union EducationLiz ReesTel: 020 7079 [email protected] DevelopmentJudith SwiftTel: 0151 243 [email protected] Officer (ULF)Catherine McClennanTel: 07795 606 [email protected]

» U-Net centresHelen GagliassoTel: 0191 227 [email protected]

» WebsiteJay SreedharanTel: 020 7079 [email protected]

» Southern and EasternTel: 020 7467 1251Regional managerBarry FrancisUnion Development CoordinatorJon TennisonRegional Education OfficersRob HancockAngela Perry

» MidlandsTel: 0121 236 4454Regional managerMary AlysUnion Development CoordinatorGary O’DonnellRegional Education OfficerPete Try

» NorthernRegional managerBarney McGillTel: 0191 227 5552Union Development CoordinatorElizabeth KilloranTel: 0191 227 5557Regional Education OfficerIan WestTel: 0191 227 5572

» North WestRegional ManagerDave EvaTel: 0151 236 2321Union Development CoordinatorTony SaundersLiverpool officeTel: 0151 236 2321Manchester officeTel: 0161 445 0077Regional Education OfficerPeter HollandTel: 0151 243 2564

» South WestRegional ManagerTel: 0117 947 0521Helen ColeUnion Development CoordinatorRos Etheridge

Regional Development Workers:BristolAlan ShearnTel: 0117 947 0521CornwallGeoff HaleTel: 01209 611 604Regional Education OfficerMarie HughesTel: 0117 933 4443

» Yorkshire and theHumber

Tel: 0113 245 4909Regional ManagerAlan RoeUnion Development CoordinatorSharon Burke,Regional Education OfficerTrevor SargisonTel: 0113 200 1071

» Union contactsAspect Judith HibbertTel: 07968 322 [email protected] Mark HoldingTel: 020 7782 [email protected] Brian KellyTel: 020 7346 [email protected] Dorban IppomaTel: 020 8801 0980dorban58@yahooBSU Vikki BothamTel: 07717 805 [email protected] Kirsi KekkiTel: 020 8971 [email protected] Trish LavelleTel: 020 8971 [email protected] Louise GraingerTel: 020 7670 [email protected] Trevor ShanahanTel: 07917 75 [email protected] Martin FurlongTel: 020 7401 [email protected]

unionlearn contactsAll TUC email addresses are first initial followed by [email protected]

» Contacts

38 39 Summer 09_NEW.qxd:Layout 1 copy 4 16/7/09 17:08 Page 2

summer 2009 « 39

resources «

MU Pauline DalbyTel: 020 7840 [email protected] Ranjit SinghTel: 07943 827 [email protected] Jennifer Moses,Stephen SmithTel: 0121 453 [email protected] Linda KingTel: 020 7843 [email protected] Andrew Parry WilliamsTel: 020 7380 4800/[email protected] David McEvoyTel: 020 7801 2727 ext [email protected] Alan IrwinTel: 07717 467 [email protected] Andy RowettTel: 07917 699 [email protected] Rachel BennettTel: 020 7902 [email protected] Linda McBrideTel: 020 7647 [email protected] Jeff HopewellTel: 01302 360 [email protected] Pam JohnsonTel: 020 7551 [email protected] – the unionTom BeattieTel: 020 8462 [email protected] MowattTel: 020 7611 [email protected] Gerald CrookesTel: 01782 280 [email protected] Graham CooperTel: 07795 562 [email protected] Ann MurphyTel: 0161 224 [email protected]

I’ve recently become our workplaceGreen Rep. How can I get things startedin the workplace?

Climate change is happening and it isaffecting us all and Environmental Reps inthe workplace can make a big difference.Our workplaces burn energy, use

resources and generate waste and travel,so they are important places to take actionon environmental issues – so becoming aGreen Rep is the first step to championenvironmental issues in the workplace.You don’t have to have ground breaking

ideas to get things started in theworkplace. Small steps make big changes,such as: discourage unnecessary printing,make sure printers and copiers are set toprint on both sides; re-use scrap paper fornotes; get unwanted junk mail returned tosender; encourage people to use re-usablecups and crockery rather than disposable;get a recycling system set up for paper/plastic/glass.The TUC’s Go green at work handbook

provides lots of information and guidanceon organising action on environmentalissues in the workplace.www.tuc.org.uk/extras/gogreenatwork.pdfTo better equip yourself as a rep, take

the TUC Trade Unions and the Environmentcourse. This will broaden your knowledgeand skills and give you tools to carry outyour role more effectively. Contact yourregional education officer for moreinformation at www.unionlearn.org.uk/education/index.cfm?mins=19For more information on greening the

workplace please visitwww.sustainableworkplace.co.uk

To find out more about improving recyclingschemes, visit wasteonline.org.uk,recyclenow.org.uk and envirowise.gov.uk

I’m bored with my job and I want achange. What shall I do?

When doing a particular job for a longperiod of time, familiarity can definitelybreed contempt, and it’s easy to becomebored with your job and unhappy at work.It is usually at this point where a little voicein your head tells you to get a new job. Butdon’t make any hasty decisions. A quick fixmight not be the best way forward. Youneed to consider all your options carefullyto insure you make the best and mostinformed decision.You may not get a job straight away, so

use your time constructively. If you’re notworking you could do voluntary work to getexperience in a new line of work. You couldalso do a course to learn new skills.Improving your skills for work can open upnew opportunities. There’s a huge range ofcourses available. Some are free, and youmay qualify for financial help. There’s alsoplenty of free advice to help you decidewhat’s right for you.If you’re looking for impartial career

advice, try calling the unionlearn freephoneadvice line on 08000 92 91 90 where ouradvisers can advise you on courses,careers, childcare and funding. Lines areopen 8am to 10pm seven days a week.Whether you’re looking for a new job,

wanting a change in career or your facingredundancy, don’t make a rushed decision.Weigh up all your options carefully beforemoving forward.

Q

A

A

Jay knowsJay Sreedharan, unionlearn’s website officer, answerssome recent questions raised by site visitors

Q

Whatever problems you have, the chancesare that there’s a ULR out there who hasbeen there and solved it. The unionrepsdiscussion forum has over 13,000 membersregistered at present. This is the perfectplace for you to swap ideas, and get helpand support from other reps. Join now atwww.unionreps.org.uk

Ask questions, share information andcreate an online community

38 39 Summer 09_NEW.qxd:Layout 1 copy 4 16/7/09 17:08 Page 3

Leaders in learningThis is a must-read

for all ULRs, employers,union officers andpoliticians. It’s packedwith solid case studyevidence of howemployers and unionsworking in partnershipcan benefit both theorganisation andthe workforce.

Resources « Roundup «

Order now fromwww.unionlearn.org.uk/freebooksAnd postage and packing is also free

Unions openingup learning for all

How will you tackle discriminationin learning and skills training? Thisnew publication provides examplesof unions dealing with equality inlearning for retired members,migrant workers, people withmental health problems, disabledworkers, women, black and Asianworkers, apprentices, peopleneeding Skills for Life courses, part-time workers, and LGBT people.See article on page 30 and 31

Getting reading to workThe Reading Agency has

joined forces with unionlearn inYorkshire and the Humber topromote reading in a range ofdifferent workplace. Here youcan read case studies from:Royal Mail, Fox’s Biscuits, HMPMoorland, Corus Steelworks,Fletchers Bakeries, and Tesco,and get ideas on how ULRshave got reading to work.

Linking the climbingframe and the Matrix

standard for information,advice and guidance servicesNo previous knowledge isassumed in this accessiblepublication for ULRs andeveryone interested in learningat work. This publication is anintroduction to unionlearn’sClimbing Frame and the MatrixStandard. It shows how theycomplement each other andcontribute to the development ofhigh quality support to learners.

Supporting learners – guides for union repsThis updated pack is a must for ULRs. It contains

an excellent guide for union reps, as well as guides on:Why and how union reps should support learners;Sources of help for union reps; Role and skills of theunion rep; and Useful extras for union reps.

Spread the wordabout the work of

ULRs and learning projectworkers by ordering morecopies of the Learning Rep.Give them to colleagues atwork, learnersand anyoneinterested inunion learning.

Freematerials

www.unionlearn.org.uk

Union learning issomething to smileabout for PeterMandelson

“UnionLearningReps helppeople changetheir lives forthe better”

learning repthe

» Summer 09

Exclusive

Year three: movinglearning on...

Unionlearn’s annual reportpacked with information, detailand images of theorganisation’s most successfulyear. Everything you need toknow from “meeting ourtargets” to “funding” are inthese high production value 32pages. Full conferencecoverage: pp14-17

new

new

new

new

new

40 Summer 09.qxd:Layout 1 16/7/09 17:13 Page 1

the learning rep magazine - summer 2009

Documents

goodbye liz

annual conference news

yearsof growth2 summer

keele24 business

learning issomething

commentthe learning

great deal

great shape