First Bus drives ahead with union learning
The First Bus depot at Hayes is today (Friday) celebrating the launch of a union learning centre, run by the company and Unite the union and supported by unionlearn*, the TUC's learning and skills organisation. Over 200 employees at the Hayes depot will now be able to take advantage of courses run by Uxbridge College to improve their skills. Unite is an active player in the union learning world and has worked with a variety of employers across the country to establish workplace learning centres.
Norman Murray, Unite Senior Learning Organiser, First Bus depot manager Hannah Self, Union Learning Reps (ULRs), learners and staff from the depot will all attend the launch.
Matt Chapman, Skills for Life* Manager at First said: 'First are always looking for opportunities for employees to develop themselves within the workplace and the community. The partnership between the company and the trade union and their union learning reps helps enable this to happen.'
Norman Murray, Unite Senior Union Learning Organiser said: 'Unite the Union believes in the progression and enhancement of its members through learning. By working in partnership with employers and learning providers, we can develop sustainable workplace learning.'
Barry Francis, unionlearn regional manager said; 'A lot of hard work from both First Bus and Unite has gone into setting up this learning centre and today marks the beginning a new learning opportunities for staff at First.'
Geoff Pearce, Unite ULR* said: 'This is a great opportunity to empower and enrich the lives of our work colleagues, by developing paths within work for them to access learning, training and fitness activities.'
NOTES TO EDITORS:
All unionlearn press releases can be found at www.unionlearn.org.uk
Media enquiries:
Wanda Wyporska T: 020 7079 6950 M: 07795 844728 E: wwyporska@tuc.org.uk
Press release (300 words) issued 6 Jun 2008