Young Workers Engagement Project Apprenticeships Working Together for Success

What does a ULR Do? Opportunity Growth Support Learning Qualifications Offer advice and guidance Mentor and support Widen Participation from under represented groups Carry out initial assessments of skills Link learners up with providers or assist them through union learning centres Identify learning and development needs Access further learning development themselves Get involved in campaigns to support the Learning agenda Build positive and constructive working relationships

How are ULR’s important to the Union movement? Opportunity Growth Support Learning Qualifications How are ULR’s important to the Union movement? Learning is a key part of union activity because, through learning events, members can come together and create an involved and relevant union within their workplaces. At its very core, union learning reps (ULRs) support and help other members with their continuing personal and professional development. ULRs work very hard to boost the image and strengthen the organisation of their union within the workplace. They can help widen union membership across the board and in underrepresented groups such as migrant workers or young members coming through apprenticeship schemes, for example. Through learning and development, ULR’s help build positive and constructive working relationships with workplace Management and HR Teams and non-members alike.

Expanding on the ULR Role Opportunity Growth Support Learning Qualifications Expanding on the ULR Role Learning Agreements and Learning Committees Negotiating a learning agreement helps embed learning in the workplace and secures employer commitment to supporting lifelong learning and skills. Working together, union learning reps and stewards can ensure that workplace learning projects and initiatives support the wider work of the union in the workplace, company or organisation. Having a union presence through Learning Committee’s enables unions to represent members interests directly and be part of decision, policy making and consultation processes from the beginning.

What types of courses are available? Opportunity Growth Support Learning Qualifications What types of courses are available? UnionLearn offer hundreds of courses through the TUC, nationwide on a range of topics including: Capacity Building Health and Safety Communication skills Organising and Recruitment Developing Representational Skills Pensions Developing union perspectives Personal and Professional Development Diploma courses Promoting Learning Equality Stage 1 and 2 core rep courses Courses are also available for Personal Development. It is important to recognise the benefits that non-vocational courses can offer members: Increase in Self-Esteem and self- confidence Re-engaging learners and opening the door to further learning A reported rise in motivation and productivity Did You know? 43% of non-members who received training through UnionLearn went on to sign up as members

The Impact of Union Learning Opportunity Growth Support Learning Qualifications The Impact of Union Learning A study was commissioned in 2015 to evaluate the impact of union learning. This study identified a wide range of positive impacts of engagement in union learning for employees and employers… Over two-thirds of employers said unions were particularly effective at inspiring reluctant learners to engage in training and development. ULF learning and training delivers an estimated net contribution to the economy of more than £1.4 billion as a result of a boost to jobs, wages and productivity. 2/3 said the new skills they acquired made them more effective in their current job Nearly half of employers highlighted that their staff were more committed as a result of unions facilitating training and development opportunities 4/5 employees said they had developed skills that they could transfer to a new job

GMB Union Learning Representative Nottingham City Homes Opportunity Growth Support Learning Qualifications Tamer El-Hariry GMB Union Learning Representative Nottingham City Homes

Transferable Skills for Life Opportunity Growth Support Learning Qualifications Transferable Skills for Life Why did you decide to become a ULR? “ Initially I wanted to further develop myself. As a union member I realised the Union could offer help to gain new skills. I started with basic English and Maths courses made available to me by the GMB. Through those courses I learnt about further learning that was available to me and the ULR role. I felt that the ULR role offered transferable skills- skills for life that I could take with me to a different role within Nottingham City Homes or further. “

Helping members is rewarding Opportunity Growth Support Learning Qualifications Helping members is rewarding What is one of the most positive things about being a ULR? “Helping members access training to learn lifelong skills is really rewarding. I am more up to date and aware about learning opportunities for both myself and members. I’ve developed skills to help identify members learning needs, learned new ways to negotiate and arrange time off on their behalf which is rewarding. Because of the role I am more easily able to keep up to date on funding available to pay for training.”

Leading successful campaigns Opportunity Growth Support Learning Qualifications Leading successful campaigns What kind of activities are you involved in? “My first campaign was about raising awareness about Dyslexia. This was a campaign close to my heart as my daughter had been diagnosed with dyslexia and I was struggling to find her the right support through her school. Through my role as a ULR I was able to access information guidance and support to help her and the campaign was nominated by the GMB for The TUC’s Best Campaign of the Year. I’m currently working on a campaign about Hidden Disabilities. This is about providing advice and support to both managers and members about how to identify hidden disabilities and get appropriate support and access to funding through government schemes.”

Far-Reaching Benefits Opportunity Growth Support Learning Qualifications Far-Reaching Benefits In your experience, how have you seen learning benefits our members? “My years of experience as a ULR has taught me that accessing training and education through UnionLearn has helped members keep up with the development of new technologies (such as IT Computer skills) within their workplaces. Being taught new skills has been useful during restructuring exercises – allowing members to more easily transition across into new roles. It also offers transferable skills for members who for example; have been affected by ill health and had to change roles from shop floor to the office as a result. I have also seen those from disadvantaged backgrounds upskill with the Union’s support and further develop their careers and employability as a result.”