Usdaw General Secretary opens Co-op learning site in Nottingham

Retail union Usdaw and the Co-operative Group’s distribution operation, Co-operative Retail Logistics, are celebrating the launch of an innovative learning centre aimed at boosting the skills of workers at the Co-op Retail Logistics (CRL) site on the Blenheim Industrial Estate in Nottingham.

Usdaw has been a pioneer of Lifelong Learning in the UK with more than 21,000 of their members accessing learning and on Tuesday 3 April, Usdaw General Secretary John Hannett will open the new on-site learning centre, which is a welcome addition to the already very successful learning campaign.

The learning centre is funded by the Learning and Skills Council and has been newly refurbished and equipped with the latest high-tech IT equipment offering a range of courses to the 300 staff who work at the site.

“There’s no doubt Lifelong Learning has changed the lives of thousands of Usdaw members and this new centre will allow our Co-op members access to courses,” says John Hannett. “The equipment offered in this centre is state of the art allowing students an opportunity to gain new skills and extra confidence which should help them progress in their careers.

“The Co-operative Group is a progressive employer so we’re delighted to be in partnership with them to offer courses that will benefit our members and the business as research shows a well educated workforce is better motivated and has less absenteeism.”

Usdaw will be providing three fully trained Union Learning Reps (ULRs) on-site and they have already encouraged colleagues to participate in courses in IT, Sign Language and they have also been instrumental in ensuring National Test passes in English and Maths.

“Usdaw members have already expressed a strong desire to learn new things and the launch of the centre will help move the initiative forward to even greater successes,” says Usdaw ULR Ian Cooksey. “Many of the people here left school at 16 and haven’t stepped back into a classroom since so our mission is to make learning fun, accessible and to develop self-confidence.”

The courses are being delivered by South Nottingham College who have developed close links with the Usdaw reps and CRL managers.

CRL Depot General Manager Adrian Buxton has been a driving force behind the creation of the new learning suite and will be formally opening the centre on Tuesday alongside Usdaw General Secretary John Hannett. The official launch will also be an opportunity to recognise the achievements of staff who have already participated in courses and gained nationally recognised qualifications.

“We are committed to developing our colleagues’ skills and recognise the importance of developing a culture of learning at the site,” says Adrian. “Working in partnership with Usdaw we are proud to encourage and support our staff in accessing Lifelong Learning opportunities and are keen to endorse the value of learning not just in work but outside as well.”

Notes to Editors:

• Contacts for newsdesks: Usdaw’s Media Officer, Paul Clarke, can be contacted on 0161 249 2469 or e-mail 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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