New learning project bears fruit for Sundora workers

Employees at Pocklington-based Sundora Foods are hoping their studies in a brand new onsite study suite will lead to a fruitful future.

Sundora and retail union Usdaw have worked together to convert a portable building into the Fruitful Learning Centre that comes fully equipped with computer workstations.

Employees will be able to use the centre to take advantage of a wide range of courses from basic literacy right through to learning a foreign language.

The courses are also supported by Hull College who will be working with employees - including production and warehouse staff - studying towards a National Vocational Qualification.

“Usdaw has been a very pro-active partner in creating this centre and we are both committed to promoting and supporting Lifelong Learning onsite and making sure our employees have access to well resourced learning opportunities,” commented Brian Young, Chief Executive of Sundora Foods. “There’s a sound business case for helping our workforce gain qualifications as we’ve already noticed a rise in staff motivation and a significant drop in absenteeism.”

Adrian Gascoyne and Dominic Edmonds are the Union Learning Reps at the site and have been enrolling workmates onto courses since September. Adrian has been delighted at the enthusiasm for the new study modules.

“We weren’t sure how many people would take part but we’ve already had 20 students through our literacy and numeracy programme,” Adrian said. “These are people who haven’t done any study since school and 85% passed which is way beyond our expectations. The students have been brilliant and I can only admire the effort they’ve put in.”

Usdaw now runs Lifelong Learning projects in more than 150 workplaces with hundreds of members gaining qualifications that have boosted their careers.

John Hannett, Usdaw General Secretary, commented: “In the modern world our members need to develop their skills. Our Lifelong Learning initiatives have helped more than 10,000 members return to learning. Our partnership with Sundora has created a superbly equipped learning centre and is a perfect example of how innovative partnerships benefit both employers and our members.”

Sundora have now entered The Fruitful Centre in the National Training Awards and Business in the Community competition which recognise innovative learning opportunities in the workplace.

Notes to Editors:

• The official opening of the Fruitful learning Centre begins at 12 noon on Friday April 8th at Sundora Fruits, Burnby Lane, Pocklington.

• Contacts for newsdesks: Usdaw’s Media Officer, Paul Clarke, can be contacted on 0161 224 2804 or at paul.clarke@usdaw.org.uk.

• Usdaw (the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK’s fifth biggest trade union, with over 340,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.

• More information and news releases are available at our online Newsroom.

• Journalists can subscribe to receive Usdaw news releases via our online e-news service.

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© 2003 (USDAW) Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
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