Co-Operative Retail Logistics, Chelston Business Park, Wellington.
Following the company’s announcement that a number of its Distribution Warehouses, including the Chelston Depot would be closing, the Usdaw union learning team met with the Joint Consultative Committee to look at how Lifelong Learning, could help and support workers at the site trough the difficult times ahead.
This site already has a proven track record of working in partnership to promote learning and development, but there had been a decline in use of the learning centre due to the outdated equipment.
Christine Greene, regional project worker funded through the Union Learning Fund, secured regional funding as part of the Skills for the Future project, to help update the equipment and provide bespoke courses provided through the local colleges specifically designed to meet the needs of the members.
When staff were advised that the site would close during the spring of 2012, the learning committee immediately set about planning how best to offer support. They reviewed the number of ULR vacancies, what was needed to update the Learning Centre, how this could be funded and what partner organisations they would need work with.
As a result of the review, an action plan was drawn up and additional personnel were co-opted onto the Learning Committee, namely the warehouse manager, the transport manager and representatives from Unite the Union.
It was important to promote the learning offer to all staff, so with this in mind, a number of briefings took place for every shift, including the night shift. The shift handover sessions were also utilised to ensure as many staff as possible received the briefing and high numbers of staff could be reached in a short space of time.
Staff where briefed on the opportunities available which included; work related qualifications, updating existing qualifications, Information, Advice and Guidance sessions amongst others. They were then helped by the team of ULRs to complete a learning survey to determine the level of interest, which was then collated to draw up a learning plan. Most of the learning and development was taking place at the onsite learning centre with the support of local providers and specialist trainers.
As part of negotiations, support offered by company included an offer of £200 per employee as a contribution towards gaining employable skills. This money can be used to pay for courses at any of the local colleges for example; bookkeeping, plumbing, or even to help with the costs of driving lessons. Staff wishing to attend 1-1 IAG sessions also have paid release for up to 2 sessions as well as what is currently available through the learning agreement of matched time off to attend Skills for Life courses and workshops on CV writing and interview skills.
The joint learning committee continues to meet on a monthly basis and the ULR teams from both unions are working together to ensure maximum uptake.
The committee is crucial in ensuring a co-ordinated approach to both the organisation and delivery of training. NVQs in Warehousing & Admin, ICT, Driver ADR, ICT and Skills for Life courses are already up and running and Information, Advice & Guidance sessions booked in for the coming months.
Christine Greene, the ULF funded project worker said “It must be said, that without the support of the Union Learning Fund and additional support from unionlearn, the support and development opportunities available to the staff at this depot would be minimal”.
The company also contributed to the refurbishment of the learning centre by redesigning and redecorating the room, installing new work stations and supplying new furniture.
