A recent project I’ve been working on has just gone live. It’s called ‘Use-IT’ and it’s a new tool for union education teams and Union Learning Reps (ULRs).

Designed as a ‘learner engagement tool’, this software provides a way of getting potential new learners into education by providing initial assessments in a number of areas. This helps both to identify any weaknesses and draw people into learning.

There are ten themes on ‘Use-IT’. These ten topics are English, Maths, ICT, Green Skills, Equalities, Diet, Alcohol, Safeguarding, Resilience and Food Hygiene. Users take a short assessment test, and are then provided with the results and potentially some advice to seek learning support from their union.

It’s available both via the web and on the iPad. The web version can be accessed at https://tools.unionlearn.org.uk, and can be used on any device with internet access.

The iPad App version is on request only, and does require your union to be signed up for using this tool with unionlearn. Speak to your union or unionlearn for further information about access to the App.

The big advantage of the App is that it works offline. Many union members have no access to the internet, and so this allows ULRs to engage with learners in offline workplaces. I would have like to have seen it available as an App on other platforms as well, especially Android, but budget constraints meant some compromises had to be made.

It’s a simple to use tool, and so provides an ideal gateway into learning.  Users just have to choose multiple choice answers, and none of the tests are long. The different themes may appeal to different workplaces, but the English, Maths and ICT skills offer a good core to help identify any weaknesses in some key areas.

My involvement has been very limited. - I came in at the end of the project to manage the completion and launch of the software. However, it does look like a tool that will be useful to those involved in union education. To find out more, visit the Use-IT page https://www.unionlearn.org.uk/use-it