Unite drives forward lifelong learning

Unite and logistics company Wincanton signed a learning agreement today (October 2) that sees the opening of a Learning Centre for staff at Lea Green, St Helens in Merseyside.

This is the latest success in Unite’s charge to create a lifelong learning society with thousands of trained Union Learning Representatives (ULRs) working in partnership with their employers, employees and learning providers to encourage greater workplace learning and training.

Elected ULRs were created under the Union Learning Fund by the Labour government in 1998. They were given statutory recognition and rights to reasonable time off, including for relevant training.

The Fund, which has supported more than 50 unions in 700 workplaces, is viewed by Unite as vital in increasing British workers’ skills to help them compete internationally. However, with the current government making funding available only until the end of March 2016, there is concern about the future.

Today, though, was a time for celebration. Unite north-west regional learning organiser Steven Turner approached Wincanton earlier this year about developing learning on site and discovering which Unite members would consider becoming ULRs.

Gary McAllister, a driver for 22 years — half of this time being spent working for Wincanton — was one of four Unite members elected. He has just completed Stage 1 of his accredited ULR course, which, he said, “taught me about learning developments and how to interview and guide people such that the training they then undertake is relevant and interesting to them”.

“This centre’s opening will encourage many drivers to come forward,” he added.

What will be on offer is varied. There are online computer facilities with access to Unite’s own virtual learning platform, including a newcomer’s introductory course to the Internet and email as well as fully accredited ICT qualifications.

With a partnership agreement signed with Warrington Collegiate College to provide training, Unite members are also being asked about what informal courses they’d like to see provided, including learning the guitar, speaking Spanish or digital photography.

“We want to create a learning environment and encourage everyone, whatever their previous experiences, to start learning,” said Steve Turner. “Unite understands that once people get involved they enjoy learning and will continue doing so.”

“From the employers’ view, the results are encouraging,” he added. “Workers welcome opportunities to boost their skills, often helping them more easily tackle new technology, and they tend to show more loyalty whilst productivity goes up.”

Grahame Eley, contract manager for Wincaton, said, “Today is very important. We have a driving force approaching 400 and we are very keen to have a Learning Centre as it is about investing in our people and giving them opportunities outside of their roles, which can only be good. We know that the local community will benefit from that.”

Unite lead officer on road transport in the north-west Kenny Rowe was delighted to sign the agreement, saying, “In this day and age when workers are being badly treated, it is great that we have got progressive employers like Wincanton who are investing in workers’ skills — not just for benefit of the company but also for the benefit of the employees themselves.”

The Learning Centre is a shared resource with Usdaw, who have signed a Learning Agreement with the Co-op.