However, some things to bear in mind when you approach a college are:

• Approach the college at the right level - maybe principal or vice-principal level - your aim is to establish a strategic relationship with the college.

• Be prepared! Have information about your site ready to show the college. They will want to know how many employees are on site, the type of jobs they do, whether they are part-time or full-time, if they work shifts as well as a break down of what the members want to learn.

• Where possible try a joint approach with your employer, but ensure the college know that it's union led Lifelong Learning and not job specific training that you are interested in.

• Ensure that the college knows you are looking to develop a long-term partnership and not to just broker a one off course.

• Keep them involved by inviting them to sit on the Steering Group.

For further information please see the Usdaw publication Working with Colleges