POA Learning said a fond farewell to their Union Learning Rep (ULR), Vicky Hukins this week. Vicky, who was based at HMP Guys Marsh, is retiring and has been invaluable in promoting POA Learning at the establishment. 

Vicky took on the ULR role at Guys Marsh along with her husband, retired prison officer Chris, back in December 2012, when the POA Learning centre at HMP Guys Marsh was opened.

POA Learning Learner Support Ivan Judd said:

Over the years she has engaged with and assisted hundreds of staff, always with a cheery smile, and an effervescent welcome usually accompanied by tea and biscuits.”

Both Vicky & Chris get a great deal of satisfaction as POA ULR’s in assisting staff with their learning in and around their own ‘day jobs’. 

Vicky has worked for National Offender Management Service as a training coordinator at the regional Guys Marsh Learning Centre for many years and Chris (who was awarded an MBE in 2014) acts as a very active facilitator for the charity ‘Prison Me, No Way’.

Ivan said:

ULRs don’t just engage learners, they offer information, advice and guidance, carry out initial assessments of skills, link learners up with providers or assist them through union learning centres, arrange flexible provision for shift workers and plan next learning steps.”

  Both Vicky & Chris have been instrumental in championing the importance of training and development at HMP Guys Marsh and they have both worked very hard to boost the image and strengthen the organisation of both POA Learning and unionlearn within the workplace.

Ivan added:

ULRs don’t just engage learners, they offer information, advice and guidance, carry out initial assessments of skills, link learners up with providers or assist them through union learning centres, arrange flexible provision for shift workers and plan next learning steps.”

Thanks for your efforts over the years. You will be missed.”