The Learning centre at Boots Nottingham is a magnificent testament to partnership working. The centre has been functioning for many years but recently has been refitted and this has led to a brand new group of learners accessing courses.

The facilities within the centre are state of the art with 12 networked PCs, classroom and meeting facilities all supported by a joint site working group where USDAW meet with management to develop centre strategy by discussing workforce and business needs.

Julie Smith, USDAW Union Learning Rep (ULR) said: 

We have a great team of dedicated ULRs who have helped to relaunch the learning programme and helped create an atmosphere of positivity around learning."

A diverse workforce requires the ULR's to have a good knowledge of potential learner needs and to achieve maximum engagement with the shop floor as possible.

Dawn Johnson, USDAW representative said:

We have already engaged and enrolled 10 people on distance learning courses such as Mental Health Awareness and Team Leading and have classes set up for 19 learners enrolled on IT courses at various levels."

The success of the learning centre has been built on the work of USDAW regional project worker Neil Chapman and his dedicated team developing a partnership with the company and building a strong relationship to drive learning forward.

A testament to the success of the partnership and as a beacon of good practice is that other companies from within the East Midlands have visited the site to seek inspiration, plus numerous learning providers have looked at how the partnership works to inform their strategies on workplace learning and engaging with trades unions and the learning agenda.

None of this is really worth anything if learners are not engaged and feel the benefits of the centre. Jana Kokosinska was one of 30 learners who received certificates for passing an English course. The presentation was made at a special ceremony at the Boots Logistics site. Jana and her colleagues studied in the Learning centre.

Jana who has worked for Boots for five years said:

I want to take full advantage of the learning opportunities. My ULR Julie Smith gave me lots of support and advice. I was very proud and delighted to receive my first certificate for Level 1 English along with my colleagues and learners. I’m doing an IT course now and a business and administration course also. I’m hoping my new skills will help me with my future career."

There is no better testimony than a happy and engaged positive learner!