Another Learning Centre - Another Success
19/11/2010
Partnership in learning only works if both sides are together. If it succeeds there's no stopping the benefits to all partners.
URTU has done it again with a partnership with Clipper Logistics that has proved a major success. Clipper Logistics is a forward thinking company in partnership with a forward thinking trade union. A recipe for success.
On the 17 November 2010, a new joint learning centre was officially opened at Clipper Logistics' workplace in Ollerton, Nottinghamshire.
The task of cutting the ribbon wasn't left to management of Clipper Logistics or senior officials of URTU. The honour was given to Grace Kedra, the new Union Learning Representative (ULR) and a supporter of education and all round great URTU rep.
It was a wonderfully informative day with attendees including URTU General Secretary, Bob Monks, URTU National Officers, Mel Thornton and Brian Hart, and Regional Officer, Dave Swan, who has been a guiding light throughout. The Project Team were also out in force as well as Noel Robertson with the magic URTU Mobile Office. I know its not really magic but I can dream, can't I? Noel spoke to staff about the benefits of joining a trade union like URTU.
Not wishing to be out done, Clipper Logistics produced all ‘big guns' to show their commitment to this learning agenda. This included Operations Director, Derek Hunt, HR Director, Ted Johnson, General Manager, Karl Moore, and HR Manager, Craig Toms.
Bob Monks gave his support and thanks to all involved in creating a learning partnership. He also praised the long relationship between Clipper Logistics and URTU. Ted Johnson thanked all for the hard work in enabling the establishment of the learning centre to happen. He expressed how the learning seed had been planted and Clipper Logistics will do its best to help the workplace learning agenda at Ollerton to grow.
When I spoke to Grace Kedra, and URTU Shop Steward, Terry Sadler, they both shared the same reason for the day's success. This learning centre will give strong support to all trade union members and non-union members and enable a better understanding between the Company and staff and the role they all play within the workplace learning agenda.
As the day progressed, education provider, South Nottinghamshire College, encouraged all to try a numeracy and literacy test paper on the computers in the centre, which were donated by the URTU Project funding. Out of 15 taking the tests, all passed.
Another main draw of the day was the URTU Project's use of the NARIC system, which enables migrant staff to view their educational qualifications obtained in their home land and then convert them to an equivalent UK level. This produced some surprising results including two young workers shown to have qualifications equivalent to masters degrees.
Final thought to this day ... Another learning centre - another success!
Barry Marks
URTU ULF Project Worker
