Michelle Whitley is the ULR coordinating at an onsite learning centre at Sainsburys Argos in Cheshire. The learning centre – Learning Curve – includes a number of computers where members can access a range of online learning opportunities, including English and maths.

Their resources include three websites – one for general learning, one for English and one for maths – which are open to all tutors and staff.  These contain information about courses, assessment materials, resources and links to self-access support.

Usdaw work with tutors from NW Community Services Ltd to deliver English and maths provision and qualifications through distance learning. The decision to move learning mostly online was taken a few years ago as access to rooms became more difficult and the ULRs wanted to make sure that all staff could have equal access to learning and resources.

Members self-refer to English and maths provision as well as being referred on by their team leaders.  Sometimes the support required is specific to literacy and numeracy, and sometimes this is required as access or support for an Apprenticeship.  Everyone attends a face-to-face enrolment meeting where they can discuss the results of their initial assessment, talk about the learning path which they want to undertake and set up an individual learning plan.  Members are referred onto a qualification course if they are assessed at being Level 1 or above. For those who are below this level, the ULRs (who are also qualified Functional Skills tutors) provide support to bring them up to this level.

After this, members access provision online with support from a tutor and access to weekly physical drop-in sessions for any one-to-one support they may need. As well as online resources to work through, members can attend Facetime sessions on Facebook for tutorials or get support on the phone.  Members use their own time to complete the learning except where they are preparing for an Apprenticeship or accessing support for a learning difficulty such as dyslexia, when they are allocated time off by the employer. The ULRs are able to access information about an individual’s progress so that they can support them with additional resources and identify any areas for development.

Many members access English and maths, as well as a range of other learning, through a 3-week Unlocking Potential programme.  This is particularly the case where members are interested in joining a Team Leader Apprenticeship. 

The programme allows members to complete an initial assessment to measure whether their English and maths skills are sufficient for the Level 2 qualification as well as identifying other skills gaps such as ICT (which can be addressed through Learn My Way). This allows individuals to gain the skills and national qualifications they need so that the actual Apprenticeship can be completed more quickly (which means that the employer is more likely to support the process). Individuals complete the unionlearn Value My Skills activity to identify skills gaps and any additional needs (Usdaw adds in a few extra questions, for example assertiveness and knowing your team).

Training on a variety of subjects is offered including English, maths, ICT, CV writing and interview skills. Any skills development or qualifications are recorded on virtual workbooks and Google Forms.

Information is uploaded onto One Drive so that managers and ULRs can access them easily and Team Leaders can see the value of giving time off for learning.  This record of learning is accepted and valued by the business and around 70% of new Team Leaders come through this process.   It also allows individuals to keep a centralised evidence record of their progress, learning and qualifications.

All of the resources on the Usdaw websites are openly available so that members, non-members and other unions can access them. This principle of skills and resource sharing is important to ensure that ULRs and individuals can have the best support possible.

This case study links in with the Smart choices: preparing for the third age publication.