Union Learning Reps (ULRs) across the region for over a decade have been supporting workmates to access learning, whether that be qualifications, bite size courses or just some fun recreational learning. But one thing that they all have is pride from their achievements. This pride shines through like a beacon and inspires so many others to take on both the role of ULR and for as many people as possible to undertake courses. This story outlines the pride with which Andrea undertakes her role as a ULR at her workplace.

Andrea Pointon is a ULR at Clipper Logistics in Northamptonshire for the United Road Transport Union (URTU). Andrea has always been good at talking to people and previously worked as a chef and enjoyed working with people. She has trained as a ULR at Ruskin College Oxford with other URTU reps from across the country, which has given her more confidence to talk about learning and skills across the whole workforce. As she says:

Now when I go into a management meeting to discuss education and I now have more understanding of what I need to say."

Becoming a ULR opened her eyes to how important education and skills are. She is already a qualified assessor helping people work towards people gaining qualifications. Being a ULR enabled her to encourage others to take on learning. She attended a conference with other ULRs which increased her knowledge on what happens with learning in different and diverse workplaces. She is in a fortunate position as both her workplace role and her position as ULR complement each other enabling her to get people from the shop floor involved. 

Being a ULR can be challenging and it’s never easy but always rewarding. Andrea thinks she could’ve got involved with helping others to learn earlier in her life but she is making up for lost time. 

Clipper Logistics have been very supportive and helping people progress through their learning academy, working jointly with URTU to get everybody some education and additional skills. URTU has been very supportive with Regional Officer, Mike Billingham and URTU Education Project Worker, Barry Marks being there for Andrea and the whole workforce supporting step by step the introduction of a learning agenda and the setting up of the workplace learning centre.

It’s probably best put in Andrea’s own words how proud she is to be helping others:

I feel proud that I have helped develop learning in our workplace that we now have a learning centre to encourage even more to learn, we also have a strong uptake on distance learning courses. Being a ULR has allowed me to offer others the chance to learn. I have a list of new learners waiting to start, including people who a few months ago were unsure about getting educated. I am so proud to have reached this point and know I, and others can, and will, achieve more learning goals. Hopefully, the next step will be that the learning has developed so well that a bigger learning centre is needed."