Tesco.com, based in Croydon, South London, embarked on a learning policy as part of a ULF funded project called Embedding and Sustaining USDAW's lifelong learning strategy in April 2010.

The objective of the project was to implement a sustainable learning culture, engaging with members to allow them to up-skill and developing and mentoring potential ULRs to take ownership of the project long term.

The 8 ULRs at the site were tasked with providing learning opportunities for the 940 employees and ULR Peter Chalklin was instrumental in putting into practice the concepts of lifelong learning.

Initially, Peter met with HR Manager, Katy Hartson, to discuss the benefits of lifelong learning and what structures would need to be in place in order to embed learning at the site. Ruskin College was chosen to provide tutors to run classes on a flexible schedule, to meet the needs of staff who work on a shift basis.

To date 16 people have passed their literacy exam, 11 members of staff have signed up to sign language courses, 14 have signed up to Literacy and 4 to numeracy courses. 13 members of staff have taken advantage of IT courses on offer and all ULRs have taken their stage 1 ULR course, and 2 ULRs to date have completed their stage 2 at Lewisham College.

The project has been so successful that the Tesco.com depot is now looking to open up learning support to all of its nearby retail outlets. The project has also opened up an opportunity in a nearby Ikea, they have 5 ULRs identified and waiting for training, which shows their enthusiasm to encourage learning for staff within their operations.

Both the staff and the management at the Tesco depot have seen tangible benefits; staff morale has increased, a better quality of work is produced and a more skilled and qualified workforce is being created.

Peter Chalklin, Usdaw project worker, said:

"Once staff realised the project was an opportunity to improve their skills and career prospects they soon got involved with over 54 people attending the first ESOL classes held at the site. I have been supported throughout by Stuart Barber from unionlearn who's advice and guidance has proved invaluable as his knowledge of providers and courses have been a great benefit to the unions members."