Usdaw Union Learning Reps across the North West have been busy promoting the Retail Level 2 apprenticeship throughout Tesco stores, and in the first part of the year 36 stores in the Liverpool, Cheshire, Stoke on Trent and North Shropshire regions have been engaged.

The initiative in the region has been led by Julia Baldwin of the Usdaw Lifelong Learning project supported by the Union Learning Fund.

Project Worker Julia said:

The main vehicle for promoting apprenticeships are Open Days where staff can come along to find out more, speak to the apprenticeship coaches and express an interest.”

The Open Days are promoted in store by Tesco management and People Partners and we make sure that our reps and ULRs know about them by briefing rep teams and sending out direct mailings.”

Usdaw reps have a key role to play in supporting the Apprenticeship and individual apprentices. Julia explained:

We aim to make sure that all Open Days are supported by MULRs, ULRs or Project Workers by attending the promotion event or ensuring that the rep team can support the campaign.”

We had some problems in the early days but now Tesco give us the dates and times prior to the events so we can plan to ensure that all open days are attended”.

Rep teams can also meet the apprenticeship coaches so that both understand each other’s roles. Kevin Faulkner, one of the apprenticeship coaches, explains how helpful ULRs can be:

Jo, the ULR in Ellesmere, identified colleagues who meet the criteria and then introduced them to me. He took an active role in letting the colleagues know the benefits of completing the programme, and spoke positively about the support they will receive from the Management team in store.”

Janet (ULR) in Meir Park spent 3 hours with us and talked to colleagues as they entered the canteen. She chatted to people and tried to sell it to them knowing it would benefit them. We secured 3 sign ups in store on the day and Janet was a big help in tracking colleagues down and even ringing them because they were on a day off.”

Janet agrees saying

We had a really good response and signed up three colleagues on our apprenticeship open day, it might be four if we can come to an agreement over hours for the fourth colleague.”

There is no doubt that the improvements to the processes are working and now allow Usdaw reps to be fully involved in the Open Days.

Reflecting on his experiences MULR Nick Atton says

The Tesco 2020 apprenticeship launch was a more structured and clear process.  We had a better working partnership with Lifetime Learning, the company that provides the apprenticeship coaches and there was clear communication between us.”

The Open Days were well advertised within stores (in most cases).  There was more involvement from Tesco Managers which led to better colleague participation and interest.”

To find out more about apprenticeships and how you can support them in your workplace talk to your branch union learning rep or go to the unionlearn Apprentices page on the website.

You can also download the Apprenticeship Essentials app for free.