Lisa Greenfield is a project worker with the Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) and has been running skills and awareness days and initial assessment sessions at Fox’s factory in Batley – which, it is hoped, will lead to apprentices.

The union set up the events to ensure that everyone knew about the learning agenda and what learning opportunities were available to them. Lisa used an information, advice and guidance (IAG) app which project workers have on their iPads.

Lisa said:

We asked people to complete a short survey which enabled us to be able to look at the learning themes. Our apps on the iPads are a fantastic way to get people engaged and then working with the company, the data which was collated was then used to look at the areas of interest."

One reason the sessions were so successful was the partnership working between the union and the employer. Fox’s, part of the Two Sisters Food Group, were very supportive of the sessions as they could see the benefits of providing these opportunities. The ULRs invited Lisa onto site after speaking to management and explaining to them the benefits of working with the BFAWU Learning Services. 

Lisa highlighted the popularity of the sessions with workers at the factory. Lisa said:

On the skills awareness days we had around 54 people completing the App. Further to this we had the learning centre relaunch. Again we used the apps and had Chesterfield College there to complete college enrolment forms. Of the enrolment forms we had 58 completed."

From late November the union has been working with Chesterfield College. ULRs and Project Workers were onsite for four Mondays to complete initial assessments.

Lisa explained what support workers would get:

Once we know the levels of each person we will then look at placing them into groups ready for classes to start. We are currently looking at English, maths and ICT classes. In addition we will be running some ESOL classes which the company are paying for."

Lisa highlighted the apprenticeships opportunity and how the assessments can support futures apprentices.

With the apprenticeship levy fast approaching this is an ideal time to start people on their learning journey. Apprenticeship programmes only accommodate learners going up one level in their English and maths, by starting classes now we are getting people prepared to work towards the levels required as part of the programme.

This is just the start, and BFAWU Learning Services are exploring a number of ways to progress learning at Fox’s factory, including apprenticeships. The company is also seeing the benefit and there is a hope that these classes will help and encourage people when it comes to applying for new or different roles within the business, as well as a way to boost staff moral."