John Hayes, skills minister, presents Quality Awards

Speaking at Learning 4 Life, unionlearn's annual conference in London, John Hayes, minister for further education, skills and lifelong learning paid tribute to the contribution of unions and their partners to raising skills in the workplace. Presenting the awards with Brendan Barber, TUC general secretary, he said: 'These quality awards provide a clear signpost to both learners and employers of where they can find good learning. And that's why I'm so pleased to be here and to have this chance to offer my congratulations in person to this year's award-winners.'

The unionlearn Quality Award* is awarded to providers in the learning world who are committed to working with trade unions and are providing inclusive, innovative programmes representing good practice and providing top quality information and advice.

Stephenson College: Skills for Life
A successful partnership with the transport unions, ASLEF, RMT and TSSA at East Midlands Trains. L-R Peta Fee, Mark Walker, Nigel Leigh, John Hayes MP, Brendan Barber.

Mark Walker, work-based learning co-ordinator, said: ''Whilst taking great pride in receiving our unionlearn Quality Award, Stephenson College would like to acknowledge the unionlearn representatives who provide the expertise, and commitment necessary for the management of our trade union learning programmes. Project co-ordinators Shirley Handsley and Chris Nutty have driven the growth of our learning programme from Yorkshire to London. Equally, the programme could not succeed without the dedicated input from a highly motivated team of ULRs and East Midlands Trains. Our Skills for Life* delivery at East Midlands Airport , co-ordinated by Unite, is bringing quality to learning provision.'

PCS: Information Advice and Guidance
Encouraging and supporting mentors and helping ULRs to develop workplace learning centres as a base for members to contact them for IAG*. L-R Ian Urwin, Jan Gifford, John Hayes MP, Brendan Barber

Jan Gifford, PCS Learning Services Officer, Northern region, said: 'PCS Northern regional office aims to offer a totally inclusive service to their members. They encourage, support, mentor and facilitate ULRs to develop workplace learning centres as a base for members to contact them for IAG. Following Matrix accreditation for the regional office and seven work place learning centres in the region, the Quality Award will bring further recognition for the excellent support available to reps in the region.'

Royal Forest of Dean College: Skills for Life
Providing programmes for learners in the work environment. L-R Ceri Jones, Lisa Taylor, John Hayes MP, Brendan Barber

Ceri Jones, business development manager, said: 'By being involved from the start of this project we have been able to plan an appropriate and relevant programme for learners in the work environment. This allows learners to develop skills that they can transfer into the work place and in turn this will increase productivity and the employer will retain staff for longer. Above all the learner will gain confidence and be more motivated.'

Wiltshire College: Employer Responsive Team - Skills for Life
Working with employers to deliver workplace learning. L-R Richard Hyde, Pat Brandon, John Hayes MP, Brendan Barber.

Tim Keighley, senior director, employer responsive team, said: 'We are extremely proud to receive this award in recognition of the important partnerships we have built with unions throughout the country. These partnerships are supporting the development of individuals in the workplace every day and this award is great recognition for our commitment to raising skills levels across the wide range of sectors that we serve.'

Ruskin College: TUC Trade Union Studies
Providing the widest span of trade union courses across the qualifications range. L-R Audrey Mullender, Nigel Williams, John Hayes MP, Brendan Barber.

Professor Audrey Mullender, principal of Ruskin College, said: 'Everyone at Ruskin is absolutely delighted that the TUC Centre here has won this award and we heartily congratulate all those involved and thank them for their tremendous efforts in coming so far in such a short time. We greatly prize the quality of the experience we offer to learners at Ruskin and it is a privilege to be in partnership with the TUC in undertaking such important work. We have vacancies on courses at all levels for entry this autumn and can guarantee a quality learning environment to all those who come to study with us.'

North Warwickshire & Hinckley College: Skills for Life in the Workplace
In recognition of work with USDAW, Unite and the Communications Workers Union. L-R Marion Plant, Lorraine Broadaway, John Hayes MP, Brendan Barber.

Marion Plant, principal, said: 'We are delighted to be awarded this accreditation in recognition of our partnership work with USDAW, UNITE and the Communication Workers Union. Together we support 10 learning centres on employer's premises. Our mission as a college is to release potential and transform lives and projects such as this are just one of the ways we can make our mission a reality.'

CfBT Advice and Guidance: Careers Information Advice and Guidance
For successful working with the TUC and unionlearn over the past five years throughout the North Eastern region on careers advice. L-R Damien Woolmer, Edwin Milligan, John Hayes MP, Brendan Barber.

Jonny Wright, regional manager, North East, said: 'CfBT Education Trust has been working closely and very successfully with unionlearn over the past five years through its nextstep service, the national careers advice service for adults. The Quality Award is a recognition of our high standards of customer service and our highly effective partnership working with the TUC.'

Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education: Workforce Development ITQ
For working with Network Rail and unionlearn to develop the Network rail workforce. L-R Tony Hutton, Ed Blanchard, Cathy Hough, John Hayes MP, Brendan Barber.

Cathy Hough, director of workforce development & work based learning, Grimsby Institute of Further & Higher Education, said: 'The award is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of the Workforce Development Team and Ed Blanchard and his team at the Grimsby Institute. It shows how the partnership is supporting the workforce and helping to give it a competitive edge in the current economic climate. It is a credit to unionlearn and Network Rail that they allowed us to offer not only work-related qualifications to their staff, but also other opportunities for self development, designed to enthuse and inspire them.'

Jen York, Development Worker from the RMT said "This award highlights the fantastic work that ULRs do. Tony Hutton a lead ULR* at Network Rail has done some truly amazing work with Grimsby Institute"

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Credit: Photographer Jess Hurd

All unionlearn press releases can be found at www.unionlearn.org.uk

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