Grant is a real success!

Grant is 38 and has worked at Royal Crown Derby (RCD) for 10 years and most of this time has been as a team leader in the decorating department.

Grant has been a Unity ULR for 2 years and explained, “I became a ULR because I thought I could help others to follow through with their learning ambitions and overcome obstacles that stood in their way.”  It wasn’t until Grant was halfway through his degree course that he found out he was dyslexic and was grateful for the help that he was given, but wished he’d known earlier.  Grant added, “My difficulty does have some negative aspects but on the positive side I am blessed with a high degree of creativity.  I have always been interested in the creative arts and in my spare time make furniture, which has been featured in the Evening Standard and has been exhibited in many galleries throughout England.  As a ULR, my dyslexia helps to give me insight into other people difficulties this makes me better equipped to empathise and encourage them.”

Although Grant gained a degree in Applied Arts from Derby University in 1996, he had not continued his lifelong learning; but, since becoming a ULR, he has gained both Numeracy & Literacy qualifications Levels 1 & 2.  He facilitated a Learning Awareness Day which resulted in many of his colleagues signing up for SfL courses, some of which are shown below after receiving their certificates.  The presentation of the certificates was undertaken by the RCD Managing Director Hugh Gibson, who said he was proud of his staff who had come in to work during the weekly day of shutdown to study Skills for Life, he went on to say how important continuous education is in a fast changing environment

Grant was recently the sole representative for RCD in Japan and gave 26 demonstrations over his two weeks stay.  Grant added “Most of the people that attended the demonstrations were shocked at the amount of work that went into each piece and the amount of firings it took to complete.”

Grant concluded by saying that his return to learning and role as a ULR has “enriched and invigorated my career and brought real benefits both to my employer and my colleagues”.

Pam Ridgarde (RCD HR Manager) added, “I was delighted when Grant took on the role of Union Learning Representative. We congratulate him for his successes; including the part he played in encouraging many of his colleagues to attend Literacy and Numeracy classes as well as his impressive on-site book library.”

“Education is at the forefront of the trade union agenda” said Garry Oakes (Unity Assistant General Secretary), and continued “…together with fair terms and conditions within a safe workplace, learning contributes to the quality of life of our members.”