DWP learners celebrate diplomas

A dozen Newcastle pensions staff celebrated gaining their Level 5 diplomas from the chartered Management Institute with an event at the Department for Work and Pensions office at Tyneview Park in May.

Eleven of them have continued their learning journey by moving on to the second year of a foundation degree managed by learning provider Amacus and delivered by its project partner Gateshead College. 

Representatives from unionlearn, the Public and Commercial Services Union, DWP management and Amacus all joined the successful learners at the celebration in May.

“Enormous credit has to go to the individuals who have undertaken this – and more – on top of their daily responsibilities at work and at home with unwavering commitment and produced absolutely excellent achievements to boot,” said London Pensions Centre Manager Derek Wood, who presented the learners with their framed diplomas.

PCS Union Learning Representative Paul Richardson said “the general consensus was that the course had been rated a “roaring success” by learners and partners alike”.

The initiative had succeeded through effective joint working, said Amacus Managing Director Christine Murray, who helped put the tailored learning package together with unionlearn Higher Level Skills Project Worker, Julie Robinson and support from the Union Learning Fund.

“The partnership approach between the provider, union, employer and learners, has been critical to the overall success of this programme”, she said.