Stream: Learning through unions

LONG EATON TESCO EXTRA

Staff took part in a 5 week deaf awareness course on-site, which began in April 2011.

This was the result of a sustained campaign to raise awareness of learning within the Tesco store. Rachel Jayne, Sam Langfield and Michelle Coleman, were new ULRs recruited and trained to deliver learning at the Tesco branch, and they identified courses which staff wanted to attend, one of which was the deaf awareness course.

The new ULRs worked with other established reps to consult staff, and discovered there was a need for a deaf awareness course.

The learners couldn't believe how great the tutor was, engaging all the learners and making it fun, ensuring attendance was high and the positive learning message quickly spread throughout the store. The course was only 2 hours in the evening once a week over 5 weeks so there was minimal impact to the store and staff.

The tutor took learners onto the shop floor highlighting the practical impact the deaf awareness course could have on improving customer service, to both learners and managers.

Sam Langfield took the initiative to organise a visit to a local special needs school, were the children used sign language every day. The learners went along to the assembly and spent a few hours with the children practicing and using their new skills. Tesco was fully supportive of the visit and providing staff with paid time off to attend, allowing them to use their learning to engage with their local community

Having gained knowledge as well as firsthand experience of communicating using sign language, the learners were eager to commence the next level of the course, which was arranged and began a few weeks after the completion of the first deaf awareness course.

This gave the staff an excellent boost in confidence and importantly a taste for learning new skills, as they realised that learning can be fun and it can also build friendships and improve the skill-set of a workforce.
Unionlearn have been really supportive to us and our reps, helping us all through the process and engaging with staff.

Case studies and projects (400 words) issued 27 Jan 2012

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unionlearn
Congress House
Great Russell Street
London WC1B 3LS

Telephone 020 7079 6920
Fax 020 7079 6921
Email ulweb@tuc.org.uk

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printed 25 May 2012 at 04:25 hrs by 38.107.179.210