Issue 2

General

Secretary

National

Coordinator

Skills for

the Future

Reach

Out

Working

Towards

Work

Contacts

GMB Learning Projects are engaging with communities and the unemployed to find the missing pieces in the skills jigsaw.

Find out more inside.

National Coordinator

Colin Kirkham

On 1st April 2014, the three ULF funded GMB

Projects received further funding and

have commenced operation for

another year.

This funding enables the projects to

continue delivering the learning

agenda to GMB members in

conjunction with workplace ULRs.

The previous projects achieved

impressive results: 315 ULRs

recruited, 2,571 new members recruited and

3,984 GMB members supported to engage with

learning opportunities.

The focus of last year’s Congress Fringe Meeting

was around recruitment and organising through

learning. This year’s

Fringe and the projects

themselves are

concentrating on the

retention of GMB

members through the

vehicle of learning.

We are hopeful that by the end of

March 2015, the workplace ULRs and

the project teams will have developed

a culture of retaining members who

unfortunately have lost their

employment.

This will be achieved by assisting the

member to undertake learning with a view to

getting back into employment as quickly as

possible, whilst retaining their membership on an

unemployed rate and eventually increasing their

subscriptions to either part-time or full-time as

they re-enter work.

Paul Kenny - General Secretary

Last year Congress passed a resolution to support the establishment of GMB Work Clubs and asked us to look at

new ways of engaging with members and families facing difficulty because of unemployment and redundancy.

This special edition of Glue captures how the three Regional Union learning projects, supported by the

Regional Secretaries, in Yorkshire, Southern and the North West & Irish Regions have responded to

that call and met the needs of our members through GMB work clubs and other community training

activities. I am delighted that this work is showing real evidence that supporting members and their

families during difficult times has helped retain them in the union. Furthermore, as a result of the

GMB developing sector specific training offers to employees, especially in the care and retail sectors,

many new workers have joined the GMB.

I commend for your consideration these new

ways of engaging with our members, their

employers and the wider community. The fruits

of this activity are positive and provide hope

and support when it is most needed. I record

thanks to the Project Workers and officers in the

Regions for their hard work on these vital

initiatives.

Paul Kenny

General Secretary

GMB

“...concentrating on the retention of GMB members

through the vehicle of learning.”

“The fruits of this activity are positive and provide hope and support

when it is most needed.”

Skills for the Future.. Moving Forward

In the coming year our Southern Region project will be continuing to build on our award

winning work with employers, ensuring that more of our members than ever will have access

to high quality education and training. We will have a particular emphasis on developing our work

with members in the care sector, when we welcome our new specialist care project worker.

GMB prides itself on being there for our members through good times and bad, and our learning project

is no exception. Alongside the advice and support given by our officers in redundancy situations we can

offer members help with CV and interview skills, job search and improving skills. Over the coming year

we will be following the example of our colleagues in Yorkshire & North Derbyshire and North West &

Irish Regions in formalising this support into a network of work clubs across the region.

So lots of new challenges for the year ahead, and more opportunities than ever for our members. Get in

touch if you think we can help you or colleagues.

Phil Caiels

Project Manager

Collectively Funding Learning

Over the past year the Skills for The

Future project has been working with

South West TUC to establish Collective

Learning Funds in 3 key workplaces.

Project workers Paul Simmonds, Agnieszka

Zamonski and Peter Synowiec have set up

funds with Nicholas and Harris, Daido and ULN supporting the expansion of

leaning opportunities for our members.

Their achievements were recognised this spring with all three projects

winning awards for their successes from South West TUC.

Maggie Fellows of South West Unionlearn says, "You have made us all proud

once again! Many congratulations and thank you."

Learners at Nicholas & Harris

“...award winning work“

"You have made us all proud once again! Many

congratulations and thank you."

Paul Maloney - Regional Secretary As Regional Secretary I am proud that the Southern Region project has proved itself to be so versatile and creative in supporting members, employers and communities.

The project continues to bring great benefits to the region and whatever challenges changes in funding may bring I am certain we will continue to support the learning and development of our members and their families both in the workplace and the community.

2571 New Members

Recruited

Impact of GMB

1st April 2012 -

26 GMB Members Employed by

Learning Projects

315 New GMB ULRs

Recruited

3984 GMB Members on Courses

Learning Projects

31st March 2014 -

Working with employers, community organisations, job centres, local authorities and training organisations on behalf of our members and their families to develop high quality training and skills - adding real value to the GMB membership card.

19 New or updated Learning/

Facilities Agreements

The past couple of years have seen the development and consolidation of our network of GMB Learning Hubs with investment by the Region and the Reach Out Project. These have created Adult

Community Training venues in Preston, Oldham, Liverpool and Runcorn. Through the partnership with St Antony’s Centre we also have facilities in the heart of Trafford Park – one of Europe’s largest industrial estates and in Accrington serving some of the most

deprived communities in Lancashire. We also run weekly Work Clubs at Stretford and Runcorn libraries.

Over the past two years the project has supported more than 6000 people. More recently we have developed new distance learning opportunities in partnership with

providers to complement the direct training and support we offer through the Work Based

Learning and Support for Redundancy programmes operated by St Antony’s Centre. We know from case studies and independent evaluation that this is highly appreciated by members, their families and those seeking work in the wider community.

I record my appreciation to the Regional Secretary, the project workers and administrative staff for the excellent

results that have been achieved to date. The project will continue throughout 2014-15 to find new ways of meeting member’s needs.

Kevin Flanagan

Project Manager

Work Clubs Work

Christine has attended the Runcorn Work Club and IT class since being registered unemployed in

March 2014.

She originally worked at Manchester Airport for ten years as a ‘Meeter and Greeter’, but as the work wasn’t leading anywhere and her hours were being reduced, she decided to leave in September 2013.

“The work itself was physically exhausting, particularly

as I was working shifts and weekends, never knowing when I might be called in. So, at the age of 53, I decided that the time had come to change direction and do a different kind of work.

“I never thought that I would ever have to contend with this kind of situation, so I really appreciate the Reach Out Work Club for all the help and support they’ve given

me with filling in forms and using the computer - I have been learning lots of new things that hopefully will help me find work.”

While attending the Work Club Christine has also discussed her training requirements with a Reach Out Project Worker. As a result, she has now completed a clerical course, and is soon to start another course in

‘Employability Skills’; she then intends to take English and Maths qualifications with a local provider.

“The Work Club is doing a great job in difficult circumstances. The Reach Out Project Worker, Joanne,

acts as a teacher, adviser, agony aunt, social worker - everything! She has to make sure that everyone has the time and opportunity to make full use of the ‘Universal Job Match’ programme. She manages the

group in a very good humoured way, always

encouraging us but also making sure that everyone focuses on what they are actually here to do.”

Ultimately, Christine would like to be in a position to

help others by teaching similar kinds of courses to Reach Out. In order to achieve her ambition, she hopes to study for a City & Guilds ‘Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector’ (PTLLS) qualification.

Christine has job interviews lined up and we are continuing to support her in this change of

direction.

Paul McCarthy - Regional Secretary

Two years ago the Reach Out Project launched its first Work Club.

The development of Work Clubs within our Regional Learning hubs has added significant value to the service we offer in the region. The Project has developed a ‘Response to Redundancy’ support programme which acts quickly to assess members’ needs and broker quality provision and support during potential redundancy situations. The Work Clubs offer training to those who are unemployed or returning to work. This has not only added value but is attracting new members to the GMB.

I have always believed that training and education is critical to unlocking people’s potential both at work and in the community. I thank the Reach Out Team for their work and energy in responding so well to members’ needs.

Colleagues,

Have you heard about the GMB’s exciting new learning project?

Working Towards Work (WTW) will continue to run alongside and promote the Regional

Learning and Organising strategy in the Yorkshire and North Derbyshire Region. The project works to increase the life chances of GMB members in the workplace and the community by promoting the lifelong learning agenda.

Objectives WTW will focus on the retention of members, as well as continuing to recruit new members through the vehicle of learning and will concentrate on the following objectives:

Addressing the lack of opportunities/barriers to learning and creating learning opportunities for members and non

-members

Assisting unemployed members and unemployed potential members through Work Clubs

Tackling joblessness through lifelong learning by providing and signposting to training courses

Developing the Regional Learning Committee in order that the learning agenda can continue should there be no

more funding for learning projects

Recruiting and supporting ULRs to enable us to achieve

the above

Piotr Plonka

Project Manager

Tim Roache - Regional Secretary

It is beyond doubt that the education and upskilling of our members does and always will go right to the very heart of what we can offer them. But our new Working Towards Work project offers even more as it gives members help, support and advice on how to get another job when they lose their job for whatever reason.

Being in GMB is not all about recruitment, it's about providing a first class service to the members we already have so that they see value and stay with us. This will help enormously in our efforts on membership retention.

Work Clubs in Action

Michelle Bateson, project worker for Working Towards Work, shares her experience of assisting

Work Club customers:

One gentleman who I was in regular contact with, first attended the Work Club within six months of it opening. He was considering suicide to be a very real option, given the fact that he had nowhere to live, nothing to look forward to and very little hope. This was somebody who, through no fault of his own, had gone from being a proud working man contributing positively to society, into a descent of homelessness and feeling worthless. One day he attended one of the GMB Work Clubs and there was a little left over food from a training course in the same building; he witnessed people acting as though they had been given the most amazing gift, with the simple offer of a free plate of sandwiches. The experience of being treated like a ‘real’ person rather than a number due to his appearance and circumstances gave him hope, which quickly developed his fighting spirit and eventually his pride returned. The realisation that he did matter as much as the next person materialised, he felt safe and listened to, these factors gained him a voluntary work

experience placement, which progressed him into work. The support we are able to offer through Work Clubs goes way beyond the use of a computer. For some customers it is a lifeline, offering a way out of the deep rut they may find themselves in; it gives an opportunity to develop and progress social, listening and responding skills alongside employability and IT skills. More than anything – it is successful!

Work Club Learners

Word cloud created at www.wordle.net

Skills for the Future

Project Manager

Phil Caiels phil.caiels@gmb.org.uk

07710 618903 www.gmb-southern.org.uk

Working Towards

Work Project

Project Manager Piotr Plonka

Piotr.plonka@gmb.org.uk

01924 887277

www.gmbwtw.co.uk

Reach Out Project

Project Manager

Kevin Flanagan kevin@gmbreachout.org.uk

0161 877 9439

www.gmbreachout.org.uk

@GMBReachout

YOUR REGION?

If your region does not have a ULF Project we may be able to help.

Would you like to recruit Union Learning Representatives

to help members in your area?

Speak to your Regional Secretary

or contact Colin Kirkham,

National ULF Project Coordinator at

colin.kirkham@gmb.org.uk

or telephone

0845 337 7777

Alternatively contact one of the Project Managers for advice