Retail worker Shirley Smith has been named 2020 Union Learning Rep of the Year for Supporting Apprentices at this year’s virtual unionlearn Annual Conference.

Shirley is a not only a ULR, but also Branch Secretary and rep at the Tesco’s store in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, and has been supporting apprentices at the store for some time.

Apprenticeships are a priority for Usdaw’s own Lifelong Learning campaign, and, along with businesses, the union feels that reps and ULRs can play a key role in a successful apprenticeship programmes by promoting the benefits of apprenticeships and supporting those who take them up.

Shirley has played a key part in helping the apprenticeship programmes succeed in her own store. She used her experience as a trainer and assessor for four years under the old-style apprenticeships scheme and was interested when the new scheme was announced.

Shirley said:

When I found out about the new apprenticeships scheme, I realised that I had a lot of experience to offer.”

I went around the store speaking to the day and night staff about the benefits apprenticeship bring and explaining how they work”.

Shirley attended the apprenticeship induction day and met the Lifetime Coach Neil who ran through the changes to the scheme.

Shirley explained:

Over the coming weeks I helped five people to register their interest for the scheme.”

My store manager supported me to do this on a 1-2-1 basis by giving me time off from my job. I also helped them complete the Usdaw skills tests, maths and English at the same time. I set up a “WhatsApp” group for the apprentices so they had that initial support from me from the start and support from each other”.

Shirley spent time with all the candidates on a 1-2-1 basis helping them through their coursework. This was very helpful to them but also to Shirley who learnt a lot on how best to support apprentices. Setting up the “What’sApp” group meant they can support each other and the extra benefit of the learning rep providing one on one support is crucial

To support apprentices Shirley feels it is important to clarify any issues that might affect them straight away and also represent them with management, working in partnership to get practical support from the store manager and from Usdaw’s own learning team.

Shirley said;

I have always believed that knowledge is a wonderful thing and I wanted to bring that opportunity to others in their work life balance.”

When I was on the Usdaw Academy programme I seen first-hand the benefits that education can bring to the individual and the workplace. From offering that initial support to watching the individual grow in confidence, learning and in some case life skills.”

That made me realise that’s where I wanted to be. To be that person who helped, supported and gave practical advice to others through their own unique learning experience. Everybody’s learning experience is different and by adapting our own learning styles we can support each learner according to their needs.”

Usdaw ULF Project co-ordinator, Ann Murphy said:

We are extremely proud of the work that Shirley has done in her store supporting her apprentices. The apprentice programme within Tesco is a great development opportunity and  we encourage our members take this up where possible."

Both Tesco and Usdaw recognise Union learning reps like Shirley have key role in providing direct support, liaising with the apprentices, the store management and the Lifetime coaches to ensure that the learner is getting all the support that they need to complete the programme."

It's another great example of how the  union learning fund and ULRs in particular can help staff to upskill and retrain in the workplace and even better to Shirley’s work recognised national by Unionlearn as an example of best practice”