EDUCATION
Review of 2005 - education
As another year draws goes by, there
have been many exciting developments in education both for our Stewards
and Activists right across our branch and for employees of Wakefield
MDC.
The Workplace Learning Agreement between Wakefield MDC and the
unions UNISON and UCATT was signed in July this year. This agreement
is a great step forward because it gives all employees of the council
an opportunity to access all sorts of training and development and
it sets the scene for a joint approach to training and development
never before seen in the workplace. Progress will be inevitably
slow because we have to agree the joint approach and the constitution
of the Joint Training and Development Committee to promote and oversee
the project. We also have to recruit and train as many new Union
Learning Representatives (ULRs) as possible and this is where you
the members come into the process! We need union members to volunteer
to become ULRs, don’t be put off by the title ULR this is not
like becoming a Shop Steward or Branch Officer.
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The role of the ULR is simply to pass on information to work colleagues
about what training and development opportunities are available
and to encourage people who may not have previously considered training
for personal development or self improvement, to get involved and
to take advantage of the opportunities. Union Learning Representatives
have a legal right to time off with pay for training and to enable
them to carry out their duties. The Unions will provide the training
within six months of appointment and the employer will recognise
the ULR as they would a new Shop Steward or Health and Safety Representative.
The only qualification needed to become a ULR is to be a member
of a participating trade union and to have an interest in education
and training. As a new ULR gains experience and confidence they
can take up a more proactive role and support and even represent
colleagues as they approach management to gain the time they need
to benefit from training and development opportunities. In order
to demonstrate a commitment to the joint approach UNISON has opened
many of its courses to members and none members alike. UNISON ULRs
are also allowed to give advice on the availability of training
opportunities to none members.
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We are urgently recruiting Union Learning Representatives across
Wakefield MDC, if you are interested please contact the branch office
on 01924 305360.
If you work for any other employer within our branch and are interested
in Lifelong Learning or becoming a ULR please make contact in order
to discuss the position on Lifelong Learning in your workplace.
The branch is keen to jointly promote fair and equal opportunities
to provide Lifelong Learning for all our members! This is being
done in a genuine partnership with Corporate Training and Development
in line with the terms agreed within the Workplace Learning Agreement
(ask your local UNISON Steward for details)
Dave Marshall
Branch Education Coordinator
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