Food for thought at Cavaghan and Gray

Cavaghan and Gray in Carlisle officially opened the doors of its learning centre to staff on Wednesday 10 November 2004.

The mayor of Carlisle, Ralph Aldersey cut the ribbon to open the centre, which has been named ‘The Learning Zone’. The opening ceremony was attended by officials from Cavaghan and Gray, Usdaw, the TUC, LSC and the NWDA. The centre has been funded in part by the company as well as a regional LSC  bid.

Patricia Preston, Usdaw Union Learning Rep and Learning Zone coordinator ensured that the day ran smoothly. Patricia is doing an amazing job in organising the team of Union Learning Reps onsite to promote Lifelong Learning. She said “ This is a fantastic venture and a great opportunity for the employees to learn new skills or to update the skills they already have. Hopefully they will find the centre to be a friendly and comfortable environment in which to learn ”.

The Union Learning Reps will be key in ensuring the success of the project. Their role is to encourage, motivate and support individual learners in the workplace.

They are seen as approachable and accessible by the members – in ways that the training department or college may not be.

Martyn Warwick, Usdaw Lifelong Learning Project Worker said, “Employees, like other adults, often want to return to learn, but usually there are a number of obstacles to be overcome. Sometimes people lack confidence. Courses may be too expensive or be at a time or place that is unsuitable. The Learning Zone gives staff the opportunity to overcome these barriers. Everyone gains! The Learning Zone is already helping to promote a positive attitude to learning and skills within the workforce. This in turn is developing a culture of learning within the workplace.”

The Learning Zone has been set up as a learndirect link centre but will be offering a wide range of taught learning that will include IT, Skills for Life, Digital Photography, languages and lots of other recreational courses.

Since the opening, The Learning Zone has managed to attract learners onto 35 learndirect courses and a further 10 onto a taught digital camera course.

The opening of the Learning Zone comes at a crucial time for the staff at Cavaghan and Gray, with the announcement of 600 job loses earlier in the year. The centre is set to become the focus of the initiative that is being put in place by Usdaw and the company to help those facing redundancy to access training such as CV writing, interview skills, using the internet to search for jobs and updating skills and qualifications.

Mary Kennedy, the Usdaw site convenor says “ We have had loads of interest from those involved in the redundancies. Courses such as Basic IT, CLAIT, ECDL and Essential Skills have all proved popular. Those who enrol onto courses will also be encouraged to keep coming into the centre until their course is completed – even if they leave the company before this time."

For further information on this project please contact  Martyn Warwick  – Usdaw’s Lifelong Learning Project Worker for the North East.  Telephone: 07709 422431

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© 2003 (USDAW) Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
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Last Modified: Monday, 04-Jul-2005 20:31:29 EST