Each year the unionlearn Annual Conference recognises the hard work of Union Learning Reps (ULR) and encourages unions to nominate reps for the ULR of the year awards. The awards are presented to ULRs to showcase how they are making a difference and changing people’s lives through union learning.

This year PCS Branch Co-ordinator and ULR Ashraf Haji, a Child Maintenance Group Caseworker with the Department of Work and Pensions in Leicester was presented with the award for Supporting Older Workers.

His nomination highlighted the fact that in his workplace the demographic is significantly over 50 with many employees looking towards retirement, however Ashraf has been instrumental in instilling a positivity towards seeing learning as not only vocational, but also aspirational, and that retirement is an opportunity to take on new challenges and learn new skills.

Here is a video about Ashraf and the work he has been doing.