The Co-operative Approach

Since Co-operative Food announced it was moving its Hampshire supply chain logistics operation from Fareham to Andover, union learning representatives have been helping staff face the change with the help of The Skills, Recession and Recovery Project, funded through the Union Learning Fund.

The closure plan left Fareham staff facing the difficult choice of taking redundancy or moving to the new premises 45 miles away.

The SRR project attended an initial meeting with the ULRs and helped set up a formal site steering group with management, learning providers and Jobcentre Plus.

An on-site learning centre is being set up and USDAW learning co-ordinators Simon Gardner and Steve Flack each have half a day a week facility time to assist staff. They are working alongside UNITE ULR Mick Masterman to encourage colleagues with Skills for Life learning and other vocational training.

In addition, more than 50 places have been allocated on computer courses for staff who want to take up ICT learning opportunities.

And USDAW and the company have reached an agreement providing staff with up to £200 for vocational training matched and matched time for Skills for Life learning.

“Lifelong learning is integral to our values as a group and we welcome the assistance of the SRR project in establishing training for lifelong skills within our workforce, as a part of the closure of this workplace and the opening of our new distribution centre in Andover,” says Matt Simons, the company’s regional HR manager.

USDAW’s Lifelong Learning Project Worker Martin Bamford says “The SRR project has offered vital advice and information to staff and has also helped in indentifying learning providers. It has been a great source of support for us.”