Network Journal 2008 Issue 2 March/April

Learning to communicate

English courses for overseas workers are essential to improving communications. Marek Galazka from Poland is at the forefront of providing these courses for members at his site.

Lifelong learning is playing a key role in helping migrant workers settle into their new workplaces, that is the view of Polish learning rep Marek Galazka.

The 33 year-old is an office clerk at DHL/Argos in Darlington, County Durham and came to the UK three and a half years ago with his wife.

"I've been a learning rep for 15 months and I enjoy helping my colleagues improve their skills," he said.

"Our on-site learning centre is well equipped. It's here for everyone and it offers a good range of courses.

"There are a lot of migrant workers here who have found the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes very useful. It helps them communicate better with their colleagues.

"The good thing is once you've been on a course you gain a lot more confidence and are not afraid to ask questions and that's the best way to learn and to improve your language skills.

"There are six union reps here at the distribution centre, we are a good team, they are all very supportive and have helped me progress and improve as a rep.

"Being involved with the union has helped me adjust very quickly to living in the UK. My wife and I are both very happy.

"There are a lot of opportunities here in England and we want to make the most of them - especially for our new baby daughter who was born six weeks ago."

Reps are reminded that Usdaw has a recruitment leaflet available in a choice of 35 languages. Contact your local office for more details.

www.usdaw.org.uk/lifelong_learning

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