ASLEF Union Learning Reps (ULRs) have been working together across the rail network to set up IT courses to help railworkers improve their IT skills and gain a qualification. New courses have recently started in Newcastle Central Station and London Kings Cross, and they have proved very popular. These two courses have been set up in partnership with the local Trade Union Education Units at Newcastle College and at The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL).

There has been increasing demand for IT courses in the rail sector during the past few years. New technologies are being introduced and many employees feel that they need to get up to speed with their IT skills. ASLEF ULRs had noticed a growing demand amongst their colleagues, following analysis of learning surveys and during informal conversations with other union members at Branch meetings and in the mess rooms. After some initial promotion it was clear that there was sufficient interest to run an IT course within the workplace at Newcastle Central Station and Kings Cross Station in London.

ASLEF Education Project Worker, Graham Chesters, helped the ULRs to establish partnerships with local colleges and supported them setting up the courses.

Graham commented:

The ULRs have worked hard to generate interest in these courses and it is clear that there is an increasing demand for railworkers to improve their IT skills. We have enabled partnerships between FE Colleges, employers and the trade unions to make these courses happen. 

We had to ensure there was a viable group of learners for the college, make sure we overcame barriers to security and access for some railworkers and provide the necessary hardware and software. The results have been positive though, with nearly 50 employees across the two depots enrolling on the courses."

The courses had to be set up to accommodate railworkers’ complex shift patterns. A traditional course for a set time over 2 or 3 hours each week would not have worked because railworkers can start very early or finish very late and will have rest days during the week. Consequently, the course was set up on a drop-in workshop-style basis, where learners were able to work at their own pace and attend around their shift patterns. Agreement was also reached with Virgin Trains East Coast (VTEC) to allow learners from other TOCs (Train Operating Companies) to use the computer facilities in their Learning Resource Rooms. Additional laptops were provided by ASLEF Education. 

TUC Education provided tutors that were available one full day per week over 10 weeks. Attendance was flexible allowing learners to drop in for 1 hour or 3 hours each week, depending on their working commitment, learners could complete all their work in the lesson or do some at home and e-mail it to the tutor. TUC Education are delivering accredited courses in Kings Cross at Level 1 and are offering Level 1 and 2 qualifications in Newcastle. An earlier course in Newcastle has seen some learners completing a Level 1 qualification in autumn 2015 and now progressing on to Level 2. The courses cover some of the Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Outlook). Learners also get the opportunity to learn about organising files and e-mailing and online security etc. 

At Kings Cross railworkers from VTEC have attended the courses along with workers from Southeastern and South West Trains. In Newcastle the courses have been attended by Arriva Trains Northern and VTEC employees. Feedback has been very positive and the railworkers are enjoying the opportunity to develop their IT skills.

Andy Saunders, an Arriva Trains North driver, from Newcastle, stated:

I wanted to learn how to properly use the technology available to me and this union learning course has provided a great opportunity to do that at my workplace."

Doug Stafford, a train driver from VTEC, commented that he is really enjoying the course and "was keen to get on the course so that I could increase my knowledge of computers and improve my skills."

Whilst Darren Routledge (a VTEC driver and local ULR) said that he had found the course very informative and beneficial, and had already progressed in a few weeks.

It has been very useful, and I’m surprised how much there is to learn, including how to create documents, store and share files and photos etc.”

Mick O’Shea, a train driver from VTEC, and the ASLEF ULR at Kings Cross commented:

There has been huge interest in the IT courses at Kings Cross. Increasingly we are seeing new technologies being introduced on the railways and some of our colleagues do not feel they are up to speed yet. Some colleagues have very good IT skills but we are providing support to those that feel they are being left behind a little."

The courses have not only been popular with staff and the union, but also managers have been very pleased with the benefits that working in partnership with the union has bought.

Tracy Bartle, People Development Manager at VTEC added:

Virgin is a business that prides itself on developing its people and here at Virgin Trains East Coast one of the many ways we do this is by working in partnership with ASLEF and the other trade unions to support union learning. A great example of this is the setup of the IT courses at Kings Cross and Newcastle, helping our people get to grips with technology is just one of the ways our ULR’s can make a real difference for their colleagues."

ASLEF Education has also been working with other providers in Birmingham, Derby and Leeds to provide IT courses for union members. Further courses are planned throughout 2016. For more information visit the ASLEF Education pages at www.aslef.org.uk