Lifelong Learning

Targets in 2007

Recruit 50 new Union Learning Representatives in 2007
3 Learning Agreements per Geograhpical Team
20 new Learning Partnerships

Achievements in 2007

An extremely successful year that strengthened the relationships we have with project partners the Open University (OU) and Workers Educational Association (WEA) with 6 new learning partnerships achieved covering a more diverse range of courses with new employers and branches. This demonstrated that the hard work and persistence of reps coupled with excellent programmes on offer through our providers can be an attractive package for employers.

The region took part in a new initiative that looks at opening up career pathways for support staff in the FE sector and this was more successful here than anywhere else in the country. The culmination of this work saw over 200 support staff at Walsall College get paid time off to attend a one day UNISON/WEA workshop on development reviews. Under the same project 10 support staff at Bournville College are currently undertaking an OU "Openings" course in Understanding Management.

Another OU pilot partnership course in the region is being run in Wolverhampton with 10 staff form the Council being given release to do the K100 "Understanding Health and Social Care" course.

An extensive programme of the Return to Learn course was re-established with around 50 members currently enrolled on 4 courses across the region. This will give us an excellent platform on which to build for the 20th Anniversary year of Return to Learn in 2008.

During Adult Learners Week over 80 UNSION members and reps came together for a fun, innovative and informative day to "Celebrate Lifelong Learning in UNISON" A varied programme that included poetry, drama and dance was enjoyed by all with plenty of ideas for branch based activities and sessions that could be run in subsequent years.

25 new Union Learning Representatives (ULRs) were recruited and 18 (72%) were trained with 12 ULRs undertaking ULR stage 2 training. TUC figures on ULR training are still to be obtained.

We continue to work closely with "unionlearn" and the TUC that has raised the profile of UNISON and extended our influence and relevance on workplace learning and development to a much wider audience.

Looking forward to 2008

Pilot Open University/UNISON ULR "Have a go" project
Skills for Life and ESOL work in Health and Local Government
Return to Learn Course and annviersary celebrations.
Increased regional and branch activity in recruiting ULRs.
New work programme associated with UNISON Union Learning fund bid.