Negotiating learning agreements 

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Teeside company Tristar Homes and unions sign up for learning

North East company, Tristar Homes made a double learning pledge - they signed a learning agreement with their in house unions, and at the same time signed the Government's Skills Pledge.

Tristar's Managing Director, Steve Boyd joined public sector union, Unison's head of learning and organising Pam Johnson, at the TUC's Congress House in London, to sign the agreement. The company and its unions believe that their project entitled "Unistar Learning" is a model union-led workplace learning project. And that it highlights the positive value that unions and employers can have on lifelong learning and improving skills by working in partnership.

[Photo above] Union agreement signed: Steve Boyd, Managing Director, Tristar Homes and Pam Johnson, Head of Learning and Organising, UNISON

The project's value was highlighted by Tristar staff member Chris Anderson, who said: "learning at work has changed my life". Chris pointed out that he has embarked on a career change - from a driver to a trainee Plumber, something he could never have done before Unistar Learning provided the support and guidance he needed.

Julie Robinson, Tristar's Learning Co-ordinator pointed out that despite being a relatively new project Unistar has already made a major contribution to improving their workforce's skills levels. She said that the project's initial success is thanks to a team of three hard-working Union Learning Reps, and the unions involved including building workers union, UCATT, and Unite.

Steve Boyd, Managing Director of Tristar Homes said: "This is a great example of a modern employer working positively with trade unions. Our work is helping transform the lives of our employees whilst also addressing the skills shortages in the region."

Pam Johnson, of Unison said: "This agreement marks another step forward in ensuring delivery of high quality public services through investing in the training and development of the workforce. We must now make the agreement a reality, and open up development opportunities for all staff no matter what their job and grade. Evidence tells us that developing individuals' confidence in communication skills, and seemingly non-work related tasks, increases their commitment to their role and improves the service they provide."

Barney McGill unionlearn's Northern region manager said: "Having projects like Unistar Learning in the Northern Region helps enormously to cement union learning as a major lifelong learning player, and with case studies like Chris we have proof positive that improved skills make a practical, tangible difference to individuals and their employers. The integration of the Skills Pledge* is further testimony to the commitment of Tristar to embedding a learning culture in their organisation."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

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

Media enquiries:
Susanne Nichol T: 0191 227 5553 M: 07771873108 E: snichol@tuc.org.uk

 

Press release (600 words) issued 29 Oct 2007

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