Unite the Union and UNISON have just signed a learning agreement with Bristol Waste Company, who employ hundreds of members in the collection of refuse, recycling and street cleansing throughout the city.

The agreement will give workers access to English, Maths, IT and other courses. A cycle maintenance training event and computer pop-up sessions are planned and a learning survey will be carried out shortly by the Learning Reps to identify what other courses members are interested in.

Unite's Learning Rep Pete Parker said:

This learning agreement will give members the chance to widen their skills and improve their career prospects."

The agreement was signed during #heartunions week and Learning Organiser Matt Gillett added:

In a week when we are focussing on all the positive contribution that unions make, this agreement highlights again what can be achieved when we work with employers to support our members in the workplace. 

Learn with Unite will, with our colleagues in UNISON, be making sure the widest range of opportunities are available to our members and emphasising once more the benefits union recognition brings."

Karen Stephens, HR Manager at Bristol Waste Company said:

We see this as a great opportunity to work constructively with trades unions to the benefit of all parties. Improving functional skills will help our employees with current roles as well as developing them for future roles within BWC. The learning agreement clearly sets out the roles of both parties, so that we are all aware of our responsibilities."