Celebrating 20 Years of the Union Learning Fund

unionlearn.org.uk | Autumn 2019

Celebrating 20 years of the Union Learning Fund

• Learning at Work Week • Helping civil servants • New unionlearn publications • Union learning makes a difference • Tommy gets royal recognition SALUTING WORTHY WINNERS Unite signs breakthrough

ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR ANNUAL agreement with Nissan conference is always the part when we recognise some of our union learning reps for promoting learning opportunities in English, maths, digital skills and supporting three important (but often overlooked) groups – disadvantaged workers, older workers and apprentices. Photos © Jess Hurd/reportdigital.co.uk / Christopher Furlong/Phawat Topaisan/Getty Images Topaisan/Getty Furlong/Phawat / Christopher Hurd/reportdigital.co.uk © Jess Photos Like all the conference participants, I always enjoy the short films we make to introduce each of the winners, who this year were Jayne Barry and Jane Yugire from UNISON, Sean Dixon and Michelle Whitley from Usdaw, Rachel Vine from BFAWU and Claire Thorpe from PCS.

“Like all the Watching this year’s films conference reminded me of the first Unite’s North-East, Yorkshire members on courses time I heard about Jane, & Humberside region through our online platform participants, back when I was Regional launched its new learning LearnWithUnite; and in I always Secretary of the Northern agreement at Nissan with a September we’re going TUC. It was my very good series of six events across to be launching Keeping enjoy the friend Kenny Bell, who the car manufacturer’s Up With The Kids, to help short films was secretary of UNISON’s Sunderland plant during parents help their children we make to Newcastle City Branch for 10 Learning at Work Week with maths homework,” years until his death in 2011, (LaWW) in May. Anna says. introduce who put Jane on my radar. The agreement, which In addition, Anna and each of the “I’ve got this young rep covers 7,500 workers, the team of three ULRs on winners.” coming in and she’s going represents the first time site have been helping the to be brilliant,” he told me. the company has worked in functional skills learners by And he was right. partnership with Unite on organising revision sessions the learning agenda. on site ahead of their exams, Of course, all our winners are brilliant – in fact, “We have an extremely as well as planning a second every learning rep has done amazing things, strong Unite branch on set of promotional events to thanks to the backing of their unions and site and once the convenor enrol even more learners in unionlearn. We know both new and experienced and deputy convenor got the autumn. ULRs need support, which is why we are running involved, they drove it Many employers in our popular Supporting Learners programme forward, which enabled us Nissan’s massive supply again this autumn. Make sure you book your free to bring our learning on site, chain are also getting in place at your regional event today! something we have been touch with Anna to find trying to do for many years,” out what Unite could explains Regional Learning offer them in terms of Kevin Rowan is Director of unionlearn Manager Gill Pearson. workplace learning. Through its series of launches across the site, the union was able to engage New digital jobs almost 500 members of and skills service staff, says Unite Learning begins rollout Organiser Anna Lavery. “We now have a pilot of 30 Get Help to Retrain, the Funded by the Department for Education (DfE). Learning Rep magazine is learners studying functional government’s new digital published four times a year by unionlearn, Congress House, Great Russell skills English and maths jobs and skills service, is Street, London WC1B 3LS. with training provider Stream set to arrive in Leeds City Editor: Yusuf Dadabhoy | Writer: Martin Moriarty | Design: TUC | © unionlearn, 2019 Cover photo: © Jess Hurd/reportdigital.co.uk on Demand; we’ve enrolled Region, Cambridge and Peterborough and the Barnsley FC • Barnsley FC’s sport and skills by Ben Perkins from south-west this autumn, expands learning fitness facilities and National Numeracy. after successful launches offer to youth programmes in Liverpool City Region, • free physiotherapy • Click here to find out more the West Midlands and the Ten Yorkshire 16-year-olds • sports psychology and about unionlearn’s new maths north-east this summer. have kicked off the current lifestyle one-to-ones treasure hunt resource • Click here to try the new Part of the National season with a place on • nutrition and anti-doping everyday finances assessment Retraining Scheme (NRS), Barnsley FC’s Shadow workshops and podcasts. on SkillCheck Get Help to Retrain is Scholarship programme, an online service now in its second that aims to help year of operation Workout week builds people identify at the club. maths muscles REPTECH the skills they The team’s already have, find Academy, which ULRs across the country Essential training courses to oversees the celebrated everyday maths gain the skills they development of during unionlearn’s Maths new app need and explore local the club’s youth Workout Week, which ran Whether you job opportunities. teams, is already recognised from Monday 7 to Friday 11 are thinking of During the initial rollout, as providing an October this year. enrolling on an adults aged 24 and over, excellent training In the run-up to apprenticeship, with a qualification below and education the week, three already on one or degree level and working programme for teams of PCS supporting colleagues below a certain wage young players, learning reps on apprenticeships, threshold are being invited who leave either were the first to unionlearn has a new to trial the new service to with a professional trial unionlearn’s app and web-based tool help develop and evaluate contract or the new maths-based to help. it ahead of its release to all qualifications to go treasure hunt activity The Apprenticeship eligible adults in England to university. as part of a learning day in Essentials app next year. The new Shadow Loughborough, using a trail is available for With the help of UNISON Scholarship programme around a park. Apple and Android learning rep Norman Hunter, extends the club’s learning “I loved the way we used smartphone users and staff at Liverpool City Region and development offer to our maths knowledge in on the web via the Combined Authority (LCRCA) local youngsters by giving a fun way while learning unionlearn website. were among the first them the chance to train something about a beautiful The app contains workers in the country to see every day in a professional area,” commented ULR helpful tips for young Get Help to Retrain in action environment and study too. Herma Hughes, who works people entering when they took part in the It’s aimed at nurturing at the Department of the world of work, pilot this summer. the talent of late developers Work and Pensions (DWP) a breakdown of What began with including former members in Birmingham. employment rights and interviews with eight staff, of Barnsley’s own Academy Unionlearn also added training entitlements, including union reps, and academies at other a new Everyday Finances an explanation of what grew to more than 25 staff clubs in the area, by assessment to the popular unions are and a job working with the digital giving them a second SkillCheck online tool, search function. service, while Norman has chance at a career in which tests learners’ It also includes tools also encouraged all LCRCA professional football. financial know-how by using to help you choose the staff to take a look at the Participants can enrol on examples from day-to-day best apprenticeship website and leave feedback. a BTEC National Diploma life (eg applying for credit for you and to rate your “All our staff and reps in Sport at Level 1, 2 or 3 cards, paying for holidays, apprenticeship, using involved have said they or a foundation degree in taking part in a lottery pool). the swipe left and swipe enjoyed the experience football coaching that has In addition, several right gestures familiar to and many, but not all, see been specifically written contributors added new dating app users. the potential changes to for such programmes by maths-related pieces to the work and digitalisation the English Football League unionlearn blog, including • Click here to find out as an opportunity and (EFL) and the University of a helpful breakdown of more not just another threat,” South Wales. three excuses for not Norman says. They also have access to: improving our maths

LEARNING REP AUTUMN 2019 03 Supporting Learners The programme kicked is back this autumn off with a packed event in London, where TUC Regional Secretary Sam Gurney said he met “loads of amazing union learning reps”. Leicester and Manchester also hosted successful events. The three remaining events are: Union learning reps (ULRs) • Tuesday 12 November: are sharing experiences Sheffield, Showroom Photos © Antonio Guillem/Christopher Furlong/FatCamera/Getty Images Furlong/FatCamera/Getty Guillem/Christopher © Antonio Photos and ideas and finding Workstation out more about new tools • Tuesday 19 November: WEST MIDLANDS and resources during Newcastle, Centre for Life APPRENTICES SET unionlearn’s ever-popular • Wednesday 20 November: programme of Supporting Exeter, Mercure Rougemont FOR BETTER DEAL Learners events across the country this autumn. • Click here to book your place Apprentices in the West Midlands are set to ULRs are also learning on your regional Supporting get a better deal now that the West Midlands how to get the most out Learners event Combined Authority (WMCA) has signed the TUC’s of new resources such as Apprenticeship Charter with unionlearn and the new Apprenticeship Midlands TUC. Essentials app, Value BFAWU starts My Skills online and the functional skills Covering pay, job role, health and safety, terms Careerzone; discussing hot course at banana and conditions, training and skills, plus access topics including wellbeing, warehouse to trade union support, the Charter assures new apprenticeships, digital and starters and existing staff on apprenticeships that functional skills; and getting Food workers’ union they will be able to develop the skills they need updates on workplace BFAWU has run its first throughout their careers. learning and TUC work in functional skills “I’m delighted to sign the Apprenticeship Charter, their region. course for workers on behalf of the WMCA, which underlines our “Unionlearn’s annual at the Coventry commitment to provide high-quality, meaningful Regional Supporting warehouse of apprenticeships,” said Chief Executive Deborah Learners events are very fruit importing Cadman OBE when she signed the Charter with popular among union company Fyffes, TUC Regional Secretary Lee Barron in July. learning reps and provide whose name is to the ideal opportunity to be found on bunches “We have committed to pay our apprentices find out about the latest of bananas in most of the above the minimum apprenticeship wage; to use resources, news and major supermarkets in apprenticeships wherever possible to upskill campaigns as well as catch the UK. our staff; and to hire apprentices to complement up with colleagues from BFAWU Project Worker our workforce, rather than supplement it – workplaces across the Karen Plasom and Region signing the Apprenticeships Charter furthers region,” says unionlearn 3 Full-Time Officer Lukasz that commitment.” Director Kevin Rowan. Bemka met Fyffes manager Unionlearn Apprenticeships Officer Mark “This year, unionlearn Mike Cartledge back in the Rowe said the Charter was a key component of is launching its new spring to discuss how they unionlearn’s strategy for upskilling and reskilling Apprenticeship Essentials could work together to bring the workforce. “Signing the Charter strengthens app and the Careerzone learning on to the site. the already-excellent partnership we have with online resource as well as “We had a meeting with the WMCA, which was established when working celebrating 20 years of the Mike and explained what together on the National Retraining Scheme Union Learning Fund – so I’d we could do and the steps Career Learning Pilot,” Mark said. encourage people to book we could take to achieve early and get along to their the aims of setting up the nearest event.” courses,” Karen says. “There is a large European Supported by Usdaw’s UNISON helps FE colleges need workforce on site and Mike equality department, the council staff to more investment, wanted to upskill his staff, campaign is designed to tackle aggression says TUC giving them an opportunity show people that they to improve their English can tackle their mental The government must skills by bringing classes on health issues by talking properly invest in adult site within work hours.” about them. The union has learning, urged TUC General More than 60 staff produced a campaign pack Secretary Frances O’Grady registered their interest in to help sites get started that on the publication of the improving their English and includes everything from Augar Review into post-18 maths at a series of learning tea, coffee and biscuit packs education and funding promotion days Karen and to informative literature this summer. Lukasz ran on site, and around mental health. “Everyone should have the union duo went on to “We ran the campaign More than 50 Blackpool access to quality education conduct initial assessments in the canteen with reps Council staff feel more and training, whatever stage to establish what level released for the day,” secure at work now that they of life they are at, but our everyone was working at. says Project Worker Neil have learned the skills they further education (FE) sector BFAWU then brought Chapman. “People could need to manage aggressive has been cut to the bone by Chesterfield College have a chat about the behaviour by service users, years of devastating cuts,” Workskills Manager Lee issue and we asked them thanks to five half-day Frances said. Kirton on board. And the to fill in a short survey. We workshops run by UNISON’s “The government must union, college and the also promoted a range of regional learning and repair the damage austerity company then agreed to distance learning courses organising team. has caused and properly run the first course with the around mental health After a couple of incidents invest in adult learning: as learners who needed help which we run through the in the municipal offices the world of work changes, most urgently. learning centre.” earlier this year, Blackpool working people will need Tutor Sally Lowndes Of the 125 people who LG Branch stepped in to to keep gaining new skills started the course in May, completed the survey, 98 review health and safety throughout their career.” incorporating signage she (78 per cent) said they procedures with the Frances supported the had seen around the factory either knew someone who employer. The branch also review’s recommendation on a site visit organised by had experienced poor looked at what could be for the return of the company. mental health or had done done to improve members’ maintenance grants for so themselves. “It really safety at work. students from low-income opened our eyes and made The regional learning families and increased Usdaw learning us realise that it was a real and organising team was support for FE colleges, reps run mental issue for many people,” then able to negotiate which have been hit by a health campaign Neil says. co-funded workshops with 25 per cent cut in student The surveys also collected the employer, which looked financing in the past When they ran an information on whether at managing aggression nine years. awareness-raising people knew where to go and showed participants The review also campaign at the Castlewood for help; what they expected how they could act to recommended

Distribution Centre site of their employer and their de-escalate situations. introduction of a Independent panel repo rt to the Review of Post-18 Education a in Derbyshire earlier this union; and whether they “The five one-day ‘lifelong learning nd Funding year, Usdaw learning reps had supported a colleague workshops showcased loan allowance’ May 2019 discovered that more who has experienced a what UNISON can provide to help people than 75 per cent of their mental health issue. for members on the back of study and co-workers had either “The campaign engaged its strength and influence reskill later experienced poor mental on a different level with in the workplace,” says in life, which health themselves or knew colleagues and we are North West Learning and could be used CP 117 someone who had. planning to do more events Development Organiser for full and It was the popularity of the like this,” Neil says. Lyndsey Marchant. part-time learning at higher mental health awareness “We are also exploring how “The feedback said technical and degree level. course on site that prompted we can better support staff staff now felt more secure the ULR team to run one of and make sure they know knowing what to do if • Click here to download the union’s It’s Time To Talk where to go if they have there were any problems the report campaigns on site. an issue.” with aggression.”

LEARNING REP AUTUMN 2019 Photos © LightFieldStudios/Luis Alvarez/Getty Images Alvarez/Getty © LightFieldStudios/Luis Photos

Facing the future through fun ULRs up and down the country helped their co-workers enjoy a wide range of opportunities during Learning at Work Week in May. ✒ Keith Hatch

haping the Future, this year’s the numbers involved get bigger theme for Learning at Work as ULRs run activities and sessions Week (LaWW), provided ranging from arts and crafts to S the ideal opportunity for languages and maths. This is an ideal unions to promote learning in their opportunity to make learning fun and workplaces, raise the profile of union- perfect for reigniting workers’ interest supported learning and engage with in learning.” employers and colleagues to discuss LaWW also represented a great training needs. chance to showcase the benefits of Organised by the Campaign for union-supported learning and many Learning (CfL) and a core entry in the workplaces encouraged councillors ULR diary for years now, LaWW once and MPs to pop along and join in again prompted unions and union reps the activities. LTH unions to hold hundreds of taster sessions, In Sheffield, Unite’s Olive Grove run introductory courses and organise Learning Centre hosted visits by the launch learning stalls and activities in workplaces Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor Tony across the country. Downing and Sheffield Brightside and agreement “Learning at Work Week is the Hillsborough MP Gill Furniss, while perfect chance for union learning Doncaster Central MP Dame Rosie The unions at Leeds Teaching reps to engage with colleagues and Winterton (pictured above) visited First Hospitals NHS Trust launched a employers and run something in their Bus’s St Leger depot, where Unite and major new learning agreement with workplace,” commented unionlearn the company were signing the Period management during LaWW. Service Team Manager Ian Borkett. Dignity pledge. Negotiated by Unite Learning “Unions have been engaging with Next year, LaWW runs from Monday Organiser Phil Boyes and staff side LaWW for many years and every year 18 to Sunday 24 May. chair Wilson Tweed, the agreement involves all 12 unions that organise on site, with the lead ULR being GMB member Margaret McParland. “Once we explained to the training department that we were there to enhance what they do and work in partnership with them, they were really enthusiastic about us getting more people involved in learning with the Trust,” Phil says. “One of the key priorities will be supporting the estates and facilities staff: a lot of the appraisals are done online but the estates and facilities are still done face-to-face. Our target is to Walking the Bringing bridge that gap to give everybody the skills so they can complete their own walk at TUC HQ learning to appraisals online so that it levels the playing field a little bit.” With both LaWW and Mental Health council staff Awareness Week taking place at the same time, the TUC’s ULRs and Mental By promoting the various learning Health First Aiders joined forces opportunities available through the to offer staff at Congress House a union during LaWW, UNISON learning packed programme of lunchtime and reps at Leicester County Council evening activities. engaged around 280 members of The week began and ended with staff in learning over the course of the lunchtime guided walks by Bee five days. Midtown – the first exploring local Over the week, the union ran sites linked to the struggle for votes three stalls, a distance learning for women, the second looking at enrolment and information session Holborn’s football connections. with Leicestershire College, a Staff also visited nearby exhibitions, National Numeracy Day drop-in Fun on the buses took a trip to the TUC Library session and an information stall at Collections and toured the hidden Bosworth Battlefield. is just the ticket depths of Congress House, as well as “The stalls always attract a lot of taking part in a practical webinar and a people, and distance learning has Unite learning rep Tony Dytiche lunchtime Pilates session. been popular in the past and I am organised a packed LaWW at First Bus The activities proved very popular familiar with the process, while the Potteries at Hanley in Stoke-on-Trent. with staff. “The suffragette walk was stall at Bosworth was the best way for The activities ranged from priority a great way to spend a lunch hour: I our ULR there to share information,” areas such as mental health hadn’t realised how much of note had explained Branch Lifelong Learning awareness and functional skills tasters happened on our doorstep!” said TUC Coordinator Katharine Friedmann. to themed days to inspire workers to Media Officer Elly Gibson. “The guide “We also wanted to celebrate try something new including music, was excellent and I came away feeling National Numeracy Day – I am dog training and photography. like I had really learned something.” personally very keen to encourage Thursday’s virtual reality (VR) day of The successful programme was put people to improve their numeracy activities proved particularly popular, together by Estates Manager Helen skills.” with participants taking the chance Bilton, Southern & Eastern unionlearn Branch staff helped out during the to experience take-off and landing on Education Officer Marie Hughes, week and Katherine identified useful a jump jet, sitting in a space station Internal and Digital Communications resources. They also had support from and even fighting robots – as well as Officer Lianne Warnell and unionlearn the council, where managers allowed improving their IT skills. Projects Officer Jane Warwick. Katherine to work flexibly during the “We have a smallish depot of week and provided rooms and spaces around 300 people with some working “The suffragette walk to use. at outstations but over 50 people Across the East Midlands, actively took part using the VR with far was a great way to UNISON learning reps organised more than that asking questions and spend a lunch hour: around 80 events during LaWW. generally showing a positive attitude – They promoted Reading Ahead a good result in my view,” Tony said. I hadn’t realised how in Chesterfield; offered free much had happened complementary therapy courses in Derby; and put together a counselling on our doorstep!” skills course in Lincolnshire.

LEARNING REP AUTUMN 2019 07 © Mark Harvey/iD8 Photography Harvey/iD8 © Mark Helping civil servants move on at work PCS’s ULF project enables civil servants and other public sector staff to access a wide range of learning opportunities, whether they are new starters on an apprenticeship or older people keen to develop their transferable skills. ✒ Martin Moriarty

ivil servants, other public sector skills is also increasingly important, with HMRC “Unionlearn’s workers and employees on outsourced keen to encourage ‘smarter’ working (from government contracts are developing home as well as from the office) by issuing Mid-Life C the skills to succeed in their working staff with Surface Pro tablets – but not always Development lives through the three-year Union Learning providing the training that would help them use Fund (ULF) project delivered by the Public and the equipment most effectively. Review and Commercial Services Union (PCS). That was partly why Leeds ULR Claire Thorpe Value My Skills The project is able to support members stepped in to source suitable IT courses to and potential members wherever they are in help her co-workers get the most out of the workshops are their careers, whether they are new entrants new tablets – for which she won unionlearn’s very popular enrolled on an apprenticeship programme or ULR award for digital skills at this year’s older workers looking to review and develop annual conference. across HMRC.” their transferable skills as a result of the one of The project also supports English and the many restructuring programmes across the maths learning, Kim says. “We offer a range civil service. of English, maths and digital courses and In HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), for most regions have run Level 2 functional skills example, the massive office closure and courses over the year and a half I have been regional centre relocation programme is creating managing the project,” she says. These courses a range of skills needs for staff, many of them in take place in both PCS regional offices and their 40s and 50s, says PCS ULF Project Manager individual workplaces. Kim Hendry. One of the many organising benefits of “Unionlearn’s Mid-Life Development Review learning is that courses often engage and Value My Skills workshops are very popular members who do not take part in more across HMRC at the moment, when people are traditional PCS activity, Kim points coming to a juncture in their careers because out. “On our courses, we have a really their offices are closing,” says Kim. good turnout from black workers, Helping workers become more fluent in digital women workers, older workers and “We’re interested in the One of the key components of the PCS approach to learning is that the union is whole worker, in all interested in helping members develop more the different skills and than the skills they may need in the workplace at any one time. knowledge and talent and “We’re interested in the whole worker, in all creativity they’ve got, which the different skills and knowledge and talent and creativity they’ve got, which they may not they may not be able to be able to deploy in the particular job they’re deploy in the particular job doing,” she says. And the members feel the same way, as they’re doing.” evidenced by the popularity of the creative writing workshops that have recently been disabled workers, so we are meeting a need for delivered in the union’s London and the South members who are facing discrimination in work East region by Quick Reads author Vaseem and in wider society,” Kim says. Khan (who also spoke at the 2018 unionlearn With departmental restructuring, job cuts, the annual conference). lack of recruitment and the public sector pay Kim is keen to build on this work by running freeze all contributing to excessive workloads creative writing competitions later in the lifetime and stress in many PCS workplaces in recent of the project, holding more workshops to help years, the ULF project has delivered a range of people develop the skills they would need to health and wellbeing workshops to help staff take part. deal with the challenges. As someone with 16 years’ experience as an As apprentice recruitment increases industrial officer with PCS before she took on the throughout the civil service and across ULF role 18 months ago, Kim is keen to continue government agencies, PCS is keen to ensure that to move learning ever further into the union apprentices get the support they need to pass mainstream. “Learning is a core trade union their end-point assessments and are given the issue alongside pay, conditions and other key minimum 20 per cent off-the-job training they issues,” she says. are entitled to. Kim is proud of the union’s ULRs, who However, the ULF project can only support are at the core of how learning is delivered apprentices that the union knows about, which in the union. “For the past three years, our remains a sticking point with most departments, ULRs have been recognised at unionlearn’s despite the provisions of the Agreed Principles annual conference for exceptional learning on civil service apprenticeships signed by PCS achievements in their workplaces,” she and the other unions in the National Trade Union points out. Committee (NTUC) and the Cabinet Office in She also pays tribute to the PCS project January 2017. workers who support and develop the skills and “We have the ridiculous situation where confidence of those ULRs while also building the Department for Education (DfE) funds us relationships with their colleagues throughout to support apprentices but their colleagues in the union. other departments refuse to divulge details “We have a brilliant team of regional project about the location of their apprentices to PCS workers, who are working increasingly closely negotiators and local ULRs,” Kim says. with colleagues in PCS regional offices to “We continue to press at Cabinet Office and integrate learning and organising and show departmental level for this crucial information. all the ways that learning activity can build the In the meantime, we still support apprentices union and support PCS members and other because we don’t rely on the employer to find staff,” Kim says. them – and where we do support them, there’s a “We are also upskilling our project workers lot of good work going on.” so they can deliver short informal learning Apprentice recruitment into PCS is the best sessions, which is giving us a greater range of guarantee of high-quality training, Kim says. learning activity as well as making us more self- “Recruiting, organising and representing sufficient.” apprentices and their issues at workplace level, departmental level and Cabinet Office national level are really important,” she says.

PCS is helping reps and members through learning opportunities like this recent two-day neurodiversity course in Leeds (main photo), delivered by specialist tutor Janine Booth (left). LEARNING REP AUTUMN 2019 Photos © Jess Hurd/reportdigital.co.uk © Jess Photos

We can help build a better skills system After two decades’ worth of experience through the Union Learning Fund, unions have first-hand knowledge of what works and what doesn’t, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady told this year’s unionlearn conference. ✒ Martin Moriarty

ith all their “Seven in ten experience over the 20 years learners tell us W of the Union they wouldn’t have Learning Fund (ULF), unions have accumulated a wealth of good taken part if it wasn’t ideas that government could use for the support to overhaul the skills system, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady of their union.” (pictured, right) told this year’s unionlearn annual conference. “Seven in ten learners tell us they “I know that many in the wouldn’t have taken part if it wasn’t workforce are far more likely for the support of their union – that to listen to a union rep than an means that we know a thing or two develop their talent.” employer and certainly more likely about the new skills system that’s The then Skills Minister Anne to listen to a union rep rather needed,” Frances told the 300 Milton said that upskilling was than the government – hence our participants gathered in Congress essential with the challenges facing continuing support for unionlearn to House this July. the UK economy in the years ahead. make sure that those people do not Unions were calling for four “There are significant changes miss out,” Anne said. key practical policy changes, impacting our economy – and not Shadow Skills Minister Gordon Frances said: “More and better just because of Brexit – and these Marsden also emphasised the vital apprenticeships and an end to changes are not a blip or short term role unionlearn and ULF projects poverty pay for apprentices. New – there’s going to be significant had to play supporting people in lifelong learning accounts for all structural change,” Anne forecast. the changing world of work. workers and a mid-life skills review. Having the support of trusted “In the 20 years since the ULF A much stronger right to paid time organisations like unionlearn was was founded, we have moved from off to train. And real investment in essential to help adults overcome a largely analogue to a largely the National Retraining Scheme so negative experiences of learning in digital world,” Gordon said. “That that everybody gets a chance to the past. means the educational system that “It was like I’d been stuck behind a glass door looking at everybody else being able to do that.”

we have needs also to meet the ULR AWARDS demands of the changing patterns of work, from the gig economy to Derbyshire UNISON learning rep the changes brought by automation Jayne Barry won the apprenticeships but also the need for proper work- award for taking the lead in designing life balance, rights and entitlements and implementing an Apprenticeship – not to mention the challenges Charter at the county council and of Brexit, automation and the developing innovative resources speeded-up world in which we live.” to introduce trade unions to young Former unionlearn Director Liz people entering the workforce. Smith said that the continued funding of the ULF was testament to PSC learning rep Claire Thorpe union learning reps in the hall and won the digital award for helping throughout the country. “Cross- co-workers in HM Revenue & Customs party support for something in (HMRC) in Leeds gain the skills the area of learning and skills is they needed to work with new IT almost unheard-of: most of the equipment that their employers had organisations that were here with not provided any training for. Quick Reads author Rowan Coleman us 20 years ago – many good (top) signed books for participants, Usdaw learning rep Sean Dixon organisations, good people – have while the then Skills Minister Anne won the award for supporting gone,” Liz pointed out. “We’ve been Milton (above) placed on record the disadvantaged workers in recognition able to get the kind of recognition government’s continuing support for unionlearn of the inclusive approach to learning and support we have because of our that he has fostered at The Learning collectivism, because of our ability Zone in Castleford, from running to work with employers, which mental health drop-in sessions means we’re still here today with a so much to me to finally know what for migrant workers to providing very good future in front of us.” it was that was stopping me from resources for learners with dyslexia. Young people on apprenticeships being able to get the ideas out of my need more information if they are head and to verbalise my thoughts BFAWU learning rep Rachel Vine won to engage with trade unions, said onto the page. It was like I’d been the literacy award for helping more Network Rail apprentice Charlotte stuck behind a glass door looking than 60 workers at Pennine Foods Ward in the apprenticeships panel, at everybody else being able to gain English qualifications. which also featured contributions do that.” Usdaw learning rep Michelle Whitley from RMT Project Worker John Performance poet Hussain won the award for supporting older Holmes, Network Rail Head of Manawer brought the conference to workers in recognition of all the Apprenticeship Delivery Richard its feet for a rare standing ovation help she offers to older colleagues Turner and Poorvi Patel from the by speaking about the importance at the Sainsbury’s Argos Contact Heathrow Skills Taskforce. of promoting mental health in the Centre in Widnes, especially around “Any lack of engagement is not workplace and performing his poem guiding them to undertake the best down to ill-will – a lot more young The White Rose, written after the qualifications to help them progress people are interested in politics unexpected death of his mother. at work. than the media would like you to “Do something in your workplace believe – so information is the that is vulnerable and shows Newcastle UNISON learning rep Jane key,” Charlotte said. “Having our you’re human – it’s impossible to Yugire won her award for supporting RMT representative come to speak be positive all the time,” Hussain maths learning among school staff to us is a great example of having said. “As a friend once told me, in particular, where her work has led more information.” if your situation has the power to to the development of a new course Quick Reads author Rowan depress you, it also has the power to help parents improve their maths Coleman opened up about the to progress you.” and English skills and keep up with significance of being diagnosed their children. with dyslexia in her 20s. “It meant

LEARNING REP AUTUMN 2019 11 Keeping ahead of the curve To coincide with this year’s annual conference, unionlearn published a new batch of resources to help ULRs and other union reps promote learning at work.

UK economy could miss out on terms, a list of useful organisations Closing the £141.5bn of the GDP growth that and background documents and should be secured by investment a set of skills for life and work digital divide in intelligent technologies in the that can be used to put together next decade. checklists to help learners identify Unionlearn has produced a new The new publication encourages how digitally confident they feel. booklet to help union learning reps unions and ULRs to negotiate promote and support learning agreements with • Click here to download your copy digital skills and the employers that will benefits they bring for help both sides plan to colleagues in their meet the digital skills Helping work and home lives. needs of workers and Working to Close their enterprises. learners the Digital Divide It signposts reps to the opens with some range of tools and resources kickstart their stark figures that to help promote digital skills show the urgent in the workplace, including careers need for change: the unionlearn Climbing more than 50 per Frame and SkillCheck tool, Career kickstart reviews cent of UK employees do plus resources from partners help young people who not possess the digital skills they such as Digital Unite, FutureLearn have had little careers need to do their jobs and more than and Learn My Way. advice identify their 20 per cent of people don’t have the It also includes short case studies transferable skills, think essential digital skills they need for of union learning projects that are about potential career day-to-day life. already helping workers acquire pathways and identify The potential costs of failing and improve their digital skills to the support they need to to close the digital skills gap are offer inspiration to ULRs through progress at work. enormous, with global consulting tried and tested approaches. The model has been firm Accenture estimating that the There is a useful glossary of developed by unionlearn © Pixelfit/Getty Images 20 YEARS OF and unions in response to the “ULRs have the skills, LEARNING uneven provision of career knowledge and information, advice and guidance To mark the 20th for young people in different parts confidence needed anniversary of the of the country. to effectively provide first round of the Now unionlearn has developed Union Learning Career Kickstart Reviews: A guide careers support to Fund (ULF), for union learning reps, a practical young people. As unionlearn has guide to help union reps deliver published a new career kickstart reviews, whether such, the ULR role booklet that that’s in the workplace or in underpins all of the looks back at learning centres, one-to-one or some of the key achievements in groups, and to signpost young other elements of a unions have made with the help of workers to a range of specialists successful review.” this relatively small but extremely and experts. effective pot of government funding. As the booklet points out, ULRs are perfectly suited to conduct 20 Years of Changing the World: How career kickstart reviews. “ULRs unionlearn publication Supporting the ULF transforms learners’ lives have the skills, knowledge and Learners: A guide for union reps. touches on some of the key union-led confidence needed to effectively The guide is designed to help learning initiatives that shaped provide careers support to all union reps provide their the creation of the ULF towards the young people,” it says. “As learners with end of the last century, such as the such, the ULR role underpins the kind of Return to Learn programme launched all of the other elements of a support that by UNISON’s predecessor NUPE in successful review.” encourages their 1998, the TUC’s own Bargaining for At the heart of the new learning journeys Skills projects in the regions and publication is a clear, and helps them Steel Partnership Training, launched accessible guide to the to develop the by what is now Community in the different elements that make skills they need late 1990s. up a career kickstart review. to manage their It examines unions’ unrivalled track There is helpful and detailed own progression record in engaging and supporting advice about how ULRs can through the world functional skills learners, rooted conduct an effective review by using of work. in the success of early projects their knowledge, skills and ability It makes the case for supporting such as Training Opportunities for to make tactical decisions and learners, from the point of view Skills, Confidence and Achievement maintain direction. And there are of benefits for their unions (eg (TOSCA), which was run by media and lots of ‘Ten Top Tips’ to help ULRs recruitment); for union members entertainment union BECTU (now part improve as listeners, questioners (eg improved confidence and ability of Prospect) at English National Opera and summarisers. to deal with change); and for their (ENO), and the general union GMB’s The booklet also includes a employers (eg closing their skills Caretrain project in care homes. career kickstart review action gaps and gender pay gaps). plan template, the Power Cards It looks at getting started as a It also showcases union support for goal achievement resource ULR, providing helpful distinctions high-quality apprenticeships, using developed by Greater Manchester- between terms like ‘coaching’ and examples such as rail union ASLEF’s based charity Positive Steps and ‘mentoring’, and sets out the key active role in the development everything you need for a stress skills ULRs need to develop, such of the new Level 3 train drivers’ management exercise called ‘the as active listening, goal setting and apprenticeship standard and National stress container’. action planning. Education Union predecessor The guide also includes a useful union ATL’s development of an • Click here to download your copy section looking at professional apprenticeship awareness-raising development for union reps project for teachers. themselves, including a career And it showcases the union Becoming development pathway that links capacity for innovation, from different roles with relevant football tournaments celebrating better ULRs qualifications. diversity and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) to the Both newly elected and well- • Click here to download your copy Fire Brigades’ Union (FBU) current established union reps who support one-year project, Heat Illness workplace learning will find lots of Prevention and Awareness. helpful advice, useful suggestions and links to reliable sources of • Click here to download your copy information and support in the new

Measuring the impact of the ULF Independent studies of a group of five individual union ULF projects highlight what a huge difference they are making for learners, the organisations they work for and the economy as a whole.

he Communication Workers Union more women move up the career ladder. One (CWU) Union Learning Fund (ULF) learner progressed from English and maths at project is helping workers progress in Level 2 to a Level 3 management apprenticeship T Royal Mail and BT, according to a new and she is now a deputy manager at HWDC. impact study by the Marchmont Observatory at With the cost of poor digital skills still evident the University of Exeter. By delivering the digital across the sector, the CWU aims to offer multiple skills members need in an era of increasing opportunities to engage with IT by making it automation, the project is also equipping them relevant and non-threatening and creating with the tools to deal with rapid change. multiple entry points and pathways to help The study is one of five produced for learners progress as far as they want to go. unionlearn that examine how the ULF is making “There is an ongoing need for … IT as we are “We have some a difference for learners, employers and unions. changing from conventional to new technology The studies combine interviews with learners, and therefore need new IT skills,” Umar says. new machines employers, stakeholders and ULF Project “We have some new machines and are just and are just Managers with econometric analysis of the skills bringing them in – transitioning – so we train and qualifications obtained and the benefits for also – and the resource centre is really helpful.” bringing the economy, individuals and employers. The growth of workplace learning is also them in – Progression has become much more usual helping Royal Mail and BT reduce absenteeism, thanks to CWU learning, the study shows. “It’s the report says. transitioning normal now for people to move,” ULF Project Managers in Royal Mail have linked the – so we train Manager Paul Dovey is quoted as saying in the provision supported by the ULF to enhanced impact report. staff retention and a decline in absenteeism: also – and For example, CWU learner Umar Farooq, who “Absenteeism and sickness absence is reduced the resource works in the Swindon Royal Mail depot, studied when people get the training – it always reduces English and IT through the union and is now a as they realise they have the skills to do the centre is really shift manager. work,” one manager is quoted as saying. helpful.” Similarly, the learning opportunities promoted “Previously some staff have lacked the skills or at the Heathrow Worldwide Distribution Centre just thought they did, so there could be a lot of (HWDC) by Lead ULR Parminder Kaur are helping sickness absence.” One of the report’s key recommendations is to extend the use of apprenticeships in Royal Mail, which has traditionally used apprenticeships far less than CWU’s other major employer, BT. “The presence of RMT “The relatively limited use of apprenticeships Learning, together with within Royal Mail given the potential within the Levy is puzzling,” the report says. the ULRs, has resulted in a massive uptake of individuals RMT boosts rail both showing an interest and apprenticeships actually participating in the apprentice programme.” Rail union RMT’s project workers and union learning reps (ULRs) are making a huge contribution to the expansion of the Bossie Ackerman, a senior manager at apprenticeship programme across the sector. National Rail’s Sandwell and Dudley depot, has That is made clear by the impact study of the backed the project since being approached by union’s 2018/19 ULF project, put together by RMT ULR Ian Stokes. Since workplace learning researchers from the University of Exeter. got underway, he has witnessed the change “I wouldn’t have taken the course without the within the learners that have benefitted from support from our ULR,” one Level 3 learner told the courses. the researchers who wrote the study. “They are now knocking on my door for Provider TSPLearn also recognised the vital new opportunities and promotion – in many contribution of RMT’s learning reps. “ULRs cases we wanted them to step up and take are key,” Managing Director James Bishop more responsible roles – they are a lot more told researchers. confident,” he told researchers. “When we come here for recruitment days, we can see 20 or 30 people. But without the learning organiser role, they maybe How learning pays wouldn’t engage.” RMT Project Worker Petrit Mihaj also off for all underlined the crucial role played by the union’s learning reps. The five ULF projects that have had their “Our ULRs’ support has been vital to the 2018/19 impacts measured by the University learning initiative as they continue to tap into of Exeter between them contributed £188m to the groups in the workplace who have previously the UK economy, according to the independent been hard to reach,” Petrit told researchers. assessments. “The presence of RMT Learning, together Five ULF projects were involved in the impact with the ULRs, has resulted in a massive studies: financial services union, Aegis, the uptake of individuals both showing an Communication Workers Union (CWU), general interest and actually participating in the union GMB, the National Association of Racing apprentice programme.” Staff (NSRS) and rail union RMT. Rail employers have also welcomed the new Learners who have developed a wide range of confidence that RMT learners have brought to skills through the five projects will secure higher their job roles. wages and improved earnings totalling £114m, according to the impact studies. And the increase in their productivity resulting from their improved skills will benefit their employers to the value of approximately £75m. The return on investment from the five projects means that every £1 invested in by the ULF is generating a total economic return of at least £7.97 in benefits to both individuals and employers covered by the projects. Learning supported by the projects has generated more than £53m for the Exchequer, which typically means around £3.14 for each £1 spent.

LEARNING REP AUTUMN 2019 Give that man a medal! FBU member Tommy Richardson, whose work on water safety won him royal recognition this summer, is better able to support colleagues and members of the public involved in emergency incidents after completing a mental health course through his union.

s a firefighter who’s very supportive and knowledgeable “To have been battled blazing buildings representations from FBU Learning and fast-moving floods, that I was able to contact any time awarded something A Tommy Richardson knows either by telephone or via email, as prestigious as the how any loss of life leaves its mark Teresa Steventon and Tracy Lillico,” on colleagues in the Tyneside Fire Tommy says. Queen’s Fire Service Brigades Union (FBU) and family and Through the course, Tommy has Medal is so humbling friends of the victim alike. gained greater understanding and So when he heard about a mental empathy with members of the and makes me ever health awareness course available public he interacts with at incidents more determined to through FBU Learning, he knew he and is better able to support his wanted to enrol, even though he hadn’t own colleagues both at incidents carry on.” been in a learning environment since themselves and in their aftermath. joining the fire service 15 years ago. Since completing the course earlier “It was a bit daunting considering this year, Tommy has progressed to In recognition of his sterling work taking up this opportunity but once taking a two-day Mental Health First in promoting water safety, Tommy I had contacted (Region 4 Project Aid course through an external provider was awarded the Queen’s Fire Service Support Organiser) Ian Dick and and is now very interested in training Medal at a ceremony in Buckingham we met to discuss further what was to be a Mental Health Awareness Palace this summer. involved, I felt encouraged by what Instructor for Tyne and Wear Fire and “All of the work which I have he told me and I agreed to sign up,” Rescue Service (TWFRS). And he says undertaken and delivered in water Tommy says. he would never have considered either safety has always been done with the When Tommy started the four-month course had he not enrolled on the first aim of reducing both incidents and course last September, he found that through FBU Learning. fatalities in open water and never having a month to complete each of And thanks to the FBU’s learning with the aims of receiving awards or the four separate modules worked offer to family and friends of members, recognition,” he says. well, as he could fit his study around Tommy’s wife Julie has recently “To have been awarded something his duty hours and put in time at home completed the Understanding Autism as prestigious as the Queen’s Fire as well. course and is looking forward to Service Medal is so humbling and “I found the process to be simple enrolling soon on the Children’s Mental makes me ever more determined to and very easy to understand, with Health Course. carry on.”

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