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Recap of project work across 2012
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Issue 7 Celebration
of Learning Adult
Learners Week
Cobhams
Redundancy Union
Learning Forum
Open University
GMB Members Celebrate Learning
The commitment of GMB North West & Irish region Union Learning
Representatives and the achievements of learners supported through the GMB
Reach Out project were marked in style at the „GMB Celebration of Learning
Evening' on Thursday 1st March. Attended by Union Learning Representatives,
local training providers, community activists, The Reading Agency, union officials
and the GMB Regional Secretary Paul McCarthy, the evening provided a platform
to showcase the work of the GMB and its partners in supporting work based
learning, response to redundancy and adult education initiatives across the
region.
Paul McCarthy emphasized the fact that "Union learning is allowing members
to fulfil their potential in many new ways." (Continued on page 2)
David Kendall from The Reading Agency speaks at the Celebration of Learning
See back page for details.
As part of the evening GMB member Michael Clegg, a cook at a disability day centre for
Tameside Council, shared his learning journey through the project with guests. This highlighted the
new opportunities the GMB has given him in to access learning and improve both his professional
and personal development. Michael started his journey through a GMB Reach Out Learning centre
by taking part in the Six Book Challenge organised by local GMB ULR Linda Mercer. This spurred
him on to achieve qualifications in Maths and English at levels 1 and 2. Just recently Michael went
on to complete his level 2 iTQ.
"....going to work all day and having to travel across town to attend evening classes at
another location was too stressful. The opportunities given to me by the GMB and in
particular the support I received from ULRs have allowed me to progress in ways I could
not have imagined. If I can do it anyone can"
Awards were presented by the Regional Secretary to
GMB learners from across the region in recognition of
their achievements after completing courses at the 5
regional learning hubs established through the GMB
Reach Out project. The audience also witnessed the
signing of a Partnership commitment with Oldham
College to mark their support across local projects
and joint working in helping to develop the regional
learning hubs and offers of support to members.
Other guest speakers included GMB ULR for Yodel,
Andy Rowlands, who spoke of the importance of
training support at times of transition for
organisations. David Kendall from the Reading
Agency highlighted the importance of reading and its
contribution to improving literacy skills.
(Continued from page 1)
Michael Clegg
The Reach Out Bus and Adult Learners Week
The GMB Learning Bus was out and about at four sites during Adult Learner's Week: Warrington,
Ellesmere Port and two sites at Winsford, Cheshire.
All the visits were very successful in supporting events at these sites. At Warrington in particular,
the Bus was parked outside the Golden Gates at the Town Hall. Across the road at the Gateway
Centre, ULRs in partnership with the council had organised stands for Scrap Booking, Creative
Writing , Water Colour, Fitness, Yoga , Digital Cameras, TUC learning, GMB and Unison to name a
few.
At Cheshire West and Chester Council the bus was well received at the Ellesmere Port site, Wyvern
House and the Road 3 Depot Winsford. There was a great deal of interest in the books secured by
the Reach Out Team for World Book Night, one person took one and then the next and the next and
word quickly spread. This has given the Team food for thought for events for World Book Night next
year.
Over the week nearly 100 people visited the bus and 70 learning surveys were completed. Well
done and thank you to all the ULRs who helped organise these
events.
Redundancy opens the door to new learning
In May 2012, workers at Cobham
Defence Communications Ltd in Blackburn were given the news that the
site would be closing resulting in 55 redundancies.
The site on Haslingden Road, Blackburn
produces a wide range of defence products including military vehicle
intercom systems. At the time of the announcement, the site employed 79
skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers across production, engineering
and administration roles.
Following the announcement, Patricia
Haworth, the GMB Shop Steward at Cobham contacted the Reach Out team
and asked if they could offer any support to workers facing redundancy.
The following week, Project Workers were on site and began initial
discussions with those faced with the possibility of losing their job.
Through GMB Reach Out, 17 members
of staff accessed support. The support included creating a CV and completing a
beginner‟s internet course which covered
use of email, online applications and using internet searches effectively. After
completing the basics, 13 of the learners signed up to a City and Guilds, Start IT
qualification, covering Microsoft Word and PowerPoint skills.
Since the redundancies took effect, we
have continued to offer advice and guidance for the Cobham workers and
have opened up one of our learning hubs, the Accrington Community and
Training Centre, to give people access to computers either to complete their ICT
course or use the internet to look for
new employment opportunities.
GMB Shop Steward, Patricia Haworth stated that “The Reach Out team
provided excellent support to Cobham staff and made everyone feel at ease in
an otherwise difficult situation. The training showed you are never too old to
learn. We are also pleased to say that within a week of the course ending, 7
staff members had gained new employment. Thank you to the GMB
Reach Out team.”
A fantastic forum took
place on the 4th October at the Solaris
Centre in Blackpool. Delegates included
ULRs, Shop Stewards, Training Providers and
colleagues from TUC and UnionLearn.
To view the slide
presentation from the day please visit the
website at gmbreachout.org.uk
GMB Reach Out c/o St Antony’s Centre
Eleventh Street Trafford Park Manchester
M17 1JF
T: 0161 877 9439 F: 0161 872 9480
Project Workers
Dave Flanagan: 07740 804050 [email protected]
Matt Bowe: 07740 804056 [email protected]
Pete Callaghan 07872 010857
Joanne Connor: 07817 952208 [email protected]
w: www.gmbreachout.org.uk
@GMBReachout
Contract Manager
Paul Callaghan 0161 848 9173
Project Manager
Kevin Flanagan 07740 804042
Stay up to date with the latest union learning news from around the GMB North West & Irish Region by subscribing to the E-newsletter.
Visit www.gmbreachout.org.uk/enews.php
to receive it directly to your e-mail.
www.gmbreachout.org.uk
GMB Reach Out
contact details
GMB Reach Out Learning Hubs
Three new GMB Reach Out Learning Hubs are now open.
The Centres are based at existing GMB offices and will be hosting a variety of courses to help members, their
colleagues and their communities.
The three new learning hubs are located at:
Oldham : 108 Union Street, Oldham, OL1 1DU
Preston: The Textile Centre, 6 Sedgwick Street, Preston PR1 1TU
Liverpool: Regional Office, Columbus Quay, Riverside Drive, Liverpool, L3 4GB
Two Community Hubs exist in Trafford Park and Accrington:
St Antony’s Centre, Eleventh Street, Trafford Park
M17 1JF
The Accrington Community Training (ACT) Centre, 25 Warner Street, Accrington BB5 1HN
For more details about upcoming events and courses
contact the Reach Out Team.
The Open University has launched a scheme called
Access to Success Route. The aim of the scheme is
to offer a financially supported route to a
qualification. This
provision is designed for
people on low incomes, who are new to higher
education, and who do not have the qualifications
traditionally required for university entry.
For more information and
to find out if you could be eligible for the scheme
please visit the Open University website at
www.open.ac.uk/study-access or call
0845 300 60 90
