The BFAWU last year launched a new learning portal to support members learning online during the pandemic with classroom learning on hold. One workplace to take advantage of this has been Fox Biscuits in Batley.

Mark Dickens works at Fox’s as a technician, and is also the BFAWU Branch Secretary there, supporting over 400 members on site.

Mark recognizes the importance of education and how it helps with increased confidence, knowledge and development (both personal and professional). He has been trialing and taking advantage of the learning made available to him via the new learning platform BFAWU Litmus, there are thousands of courses on there and learning paths to suit learners.

Mark said:

I have found the Union BFAWU portal to learning vital to my continuing progression in the workplace, and an enormous boost to my confidence”.

Mark continued

To be able to access aspects of further education which would normally be financially prohibitive, has given me a boost, to follow new dreams and possibilities for a more productive future”.

Mark has been a great supporter of union learning and what has been provided by BFAWU Learning Services, not only highlighting what is on offer to members, but also taking advantage of the learning and courses himself.

Mark explained:

In the last two years I have achieved level 2 English, courses in Mental health awareness, effective communication, dealing with many aspects of behavioral situations, drug and alcohol and its effects, and many other areas of teaching that will push me in a positive direction”.

Kamran Ali is a BFAWU Learning Services Project Worker and said:

Along with his team, Mark promotes and helps run Functional Skills English classes on site every year.”

These classes are made available through the Learning Services branch of the BFAWU, which has been funded through the Union Learning Fund, and it would be great loss if this grant was cut as it would mean potentially stopping access to access education for adult workers, workers who need the education for self-confidence or to help them to start climbing the career ladder.”

Over 50,000 people have already signed the petition to save union learning, you can add you name here to call for the cuts to union learning to be reversed.