Lifelong learning
Lifelong learning is an important part of our employee development programme. Since 2003 we have been actively developing and investing in the provision of flexible, effective and attractive learning opportunities within the workplace.
In partnership with the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) we have developed a network of fully equipped mobile learning centres. This year we have increased to 65% the proportion of UK Bus employees with access to these facilities. There they can brush up on existing skills or learn new ones. As the learning centres are located at the workplace they provide a flexible solution for shift workers who might otherwise find it hard to attend regular classes.
More than 55,000 staff and community members have used the centres since 2002 and almost 8,000 qualifications have been awarded.
Skills for Life
As one of the first companies to sign the Skills for Life pledge we are committed to supporting the UK government in promoting this agenda. We have a National Learning Agreement with the TGWU and a full-time manager committed to the development and implementation of our Skills for Life strategy.
During the past year we have undertaken a number of pilot studies to assess the role Skills for Life training can play in recruitment and retention of staff. In Hampshire and Dorset and Leeds all new employees are assessed for their basic literacy and numeracy skills and supported in developing these to meet the needs of their current and possible future roles.
As part of a UK Government funded scheme in South Yorkshire we are helping people move out of unemployment. The scheme provides potential employees who fall below the required literacy and numeracy skills for a job with a supported training package. It helps them reach the required minimum standard within an agreed timescale, followed by a guaranteed job interview.
The Skills for Life agenda will continue to form a core part of our learning and development provision and in the coming year we will focus on evaluating and improving access to online learning.
First UK Short Stories Award
Our short stories competition promoting the Skills for Life agenda attracted 300 entries and was judged by an external panel. The winners' stories have been published by the National Institute for Continuing Adult Education (NIACE) and are being used to promote development of literacy skills in the workplace.
The prize was awarded to Magnus Cooke for his story "Sleeping at Grandma's." which was chosen by the judges for the use of humour and personal feeling.
Union learner representatives
Our union learning representatives play a vital role in ensuring the effectiveness of the learning centres. Trained to college tutor level, they support centre users in finding the programmes best suited to them. The achievements of our union learning representatives are celebrated at an annual awards ceremony that forms part of their annual conference.
In December 2007 a union learner information and discussion website was launched. The site is the first of its kind in the UK and was the idea of three union learner representatives from the Potteries region. The main purposes of the site are to find and share information on ways to attract learners to the learning centres, skills for life courses, lifelong learning issues and to engage in general discussion on what is going on in the area.