Lenny hands out awards to union learning champions
Union officials, project leaders and reps had their hard work and innovative contributions to learning and training celebrated at a glitzy Union Learning Fund award ceremony at Congress House, last week (March 18).
The event was hosted by Channel 4's Alex Thompson, who introduced speeches from Pat McFadden, minister of state for Business Innovation and Skills, and Frances O'Grady, TUC deputy general secretary. The guest speaker, comedian Lenny Henry, who recently won acclaim for his role as Othello, gave out the prizes.
A special award for vision and commitment was given to Liz Smith, former director of unionlearn.
CWU (Communication Workers Union): Learning Representatives
CWU has been recognised for the number of union learning reps it has recruited, trained, supported and developed and for the way they have become central to its learning and skills strategy in the workplace. The union has integrated ULRs into the wider union structures and has developed vibrant regional learning committees in each region.
PCS (Public and Commercial Services Union): Sector Skills Councils
The PCS has been recognised for its work building partnerships with the Sectors Skills Councils, particularly Government Skills and Skills for Justice; its input into the development and delivery of Sector Skills Agreements and providing support to union representatives on Sector Skills boards.
Unite the Union: Equality & Diversity
Unite has been recognised for its work with London's migrant workers and domestic cleaners, helping them overcome barriers to learning. By training ULRs within this group, they have enabled them to play a bigger role in their communities and workplaces.
FBU (Fire Brigades Union): Skills for Life
The FBU was recognised for raising awareness for Skills for Life and developing a national strategy taken up by the whole of the fire service. It has developed a network of learning centres providing high quality courses at all levels in literacy, numeracy and ICT (information and communication technology).
Bob Fitzgerald, FBU regional ULF co-ordinator and Lorna Taylor, Skills for Life advisor, with Pat McFadden and Lenny Henry. Credit: Jess Hurd
POA (Prison Officers' Association): Learning Centre
The POA has been recognised for promoting a learning culture with learning centres at the heart of its delivery. It has a large network of union learning reps and also provides at its learning centres high quality e-learning provision.
Mark Freeman, POA deputy general secretary, and Alison Mannion, learning centre co-ordinator, with Pat McFadden and Lenny Henry. Credit: Jess Hurd
Usdaw/Boots: Learning for Change
Usdaw/Boots UK has been recognised for working in partnership, helping staff to prepare for change. Learning and re-skilling have been at the heart of this successful approach with over two thirds of staff across the country involved in learning.
Jeff Broom, USDAW president, and Judith Lyons, Head of HR Operations at Boots UK, with Pat McFadden and Lenny Henry. Credit: Jess Hurd
FEU (Federation of Entertainment Unions): Supporting Learners
This multi-union project was recognised for the high-quality of its work in meeting the needs of freelance journalists, actors, musicians, writers and other casuals in the media and entertainment sectors. It has helped them improve their ICT skills, fill in their tax forms and offered friendly advice in overcoming the loneliness sometimes experienced by people who work for themselves.
Frances Dredge, project manager and Linda King, national project manager NUJ, with Pat McFadden and Lenny Henry. Credit: Jess Hurd
UCATT (Union of Construction Allied Trades and Technicians): Apprenticeships and Young People
UCATT has been recognised for the role it has played in securing employer commitment to apprenticeships and for developing the role of union learning reps, who provide advice and information about the scheme and act as mentors to apprentices. UCATT and unionlearn are promoting high-quality training through effective partnerships with employers and learning providers for this work-based qualification.
Alan Ritchie, UCATT's national education and training co-ordinator and project manager and Steve Craig, national project co-ordinator, with Pat McFadden and Lenny Henry. Credit: Jess Hurd.
ATL (Association of Teachers and Lecturers): Progress & Professional Development
ATL's education and training programme has been recognised for the wide range of courses it provides to support professional and personal development through a network of union learning representatives . The union is committed to developing skills in areas such as behaviour management, assertiveness, how to work in teams and voice training, but also provides courses to help its members unwind or keep fit.
Diana Manville, union learning rep and Kate Quigley, ATL's Learning and Development Manager with Pat McFadden and Lenny Henry. Credit: Jess Hurd
Merseytravel: Employer Engagement and Commitment
Merseytravel was recognised for how the strong and effective partnership between the unions and employer has led to the development of a learning culture across a diverse organisation. Learning opportunities have been on offer for all staff and this learning environment has been supported by a network of union learning reps.
Pat McFadden, Liz Chandler, director of corporate development, Merseytravel, Roger Irvine, senior ULR and Lenny Henry. Credit: Jess Hurd
Unison: Informal Adult Learning
Unison has been recognised for its role in widening participation in lifelong learning and promoting the profile and take-up of informal adult learning in the workplace. Many of those who have studied courses have gone on to further learning and have been supported by the union's network of union learning reps. The project's target was its lower paid members, those in low skilled jobs and without qualifications. The aim was to increase workplace training, involvement in public policy and citizenship areas and in the union's own structures among members.
Joanna Cain, Project Manager, Equality & Diversity Project, with Pat McFadden and Lenny Henry. Credit: Jess Hurd
