Lifelong Learning
All our franchised train operating companies continue to develop their lifelong learning networks which provide shift-friendly and, in many cases, free courses to rail employees and their families. Options range from life skills such as numeracy and literacy, to foreign languages and first aid.
This year First ScotRail opened new facilities in Aberdeen, Stirling, Dundee, Dumfries, Motherwell and Ayr providing lifelong learning opportunities to around 50% of the workforce. These are supported by an Earn As You Learn initiative whereby adult learners receive incentives equal to 20 hours' pay for participation in learning programmes. More than 70 learners have now completed the Glasgow programme which will be expanded across locations in Scotland.
The programme is run in close association with the Rail Unions and received the Learning and Development at Work Good Practice Award from the Scottish Adult Learning Partnership. Graeme McCabe, project worker with Rail Union Learning said:
"This is a great example of the benefits of working in partnership between the trade unions and the employer. We plan to build on this success by promoting the benefits of lifelong learning for everyone."
Following establishment of the new franchise, First Great Western has now negotiated new learning agreements with the unions. The company's main learning centre is now located in Reading with eight learning and development academies located across the network. These will offer Skills for Life and Lifelong Learning as well as job specific and management training.
First Capital Connect in partnership with Southern Trains supports an RMT learning centre in Brighton. They also recently started a programme of computer literacy training for station staff. Although not a direct requirement for their work, feedback received via the Union Learner Representative indicated that these employees would value such training.
First TransPennine Express has established a learning agreement with the unions and secured accommodation in three areas of the network to support this.
Building Confidence Through Learning
Margaret Hanlon, a conductor with First ScotRail, said she used to panic every time she had a form to fill in. Earn As You Learn has changed all that.
"I plucked up the courage and went and done it," said Margaret, 54, of Bankhead, Rutherglen who added, "I've got more confidence now than I ever, ever had."
She recalled, "When I was young and at school there were no facilities like this for me or anybody. If you didn't know how to spell or how to write or anything, you were pushed away - you were put to the back of the class with a dunce's cap on your head because no one was interested in teaching you."
Margaret explained, "When older, you are more worried about it... will people say 'she can't do this, she can't do that'? But when I went, I thought 'I can do that' - and all those years I thought I couldn't."
"Earn As You Learn has given me fabulous confidence. The difference it has made to me now is I would never be frightened to go anywhere. It has given me the courage to go on and try other things - things that I have been dying to learn since I was young and just never had the courage to do."