Date: 23 November 2011
Stoke on Trent South Labour MP, Robert Flello, has visited The Co-operative Pharmacy's Lifelong Learning Centre at its National Distribution hub in Meir.
Mr Flello saw first
hand how employees can earn themselves qualifications in subjects
including English, Maths, IT, First Aid and Spanish thanks to a
partnership between Usdaw, Stoke on Trent College, Stoke on Trent
Adult Education and The Co-operative Pharmacy.
Stoke on Trent Libraries
have also assisted the partnership encouraging employees to read
six books as part of an annual challenge.
More than 80 people have
already completed a variety of courses at the centre and a total of
34 are currently enrolled on adult numeracy and literacy courses.
Additional options also include learning more about healthy eating,
managing household finances and British sign language.
Working with Usdaw Union
Learning Representatives (ULRs), the programme selects employees
who will most benefit from these kinds of courses in both their
personal and professional lives. Tutors from the College visit The
Co-operative Pharmacy National Distribution Centre (NDC) on a
weekly basis to offer two hour classroom-based sessions for the
variety of courses.
Malcolm
Walker, Training Operations Manager at The Co-operative
Pharmacy NDC, said:
"We are pleased that Mr
Flello has been able to see first hand the range of opportunities
that are offered at the centre, helping colleagues to improve their
skills and confidence."
"As a Co-operative business
we are committed to encouraging self help, education and training
so it is wonderful to see such enthusiasm and so many colleagues
taking advantage of the courses on offer."
Julia
Baldwin, Usdaw Lifelong Learning Project Worker said:
"Usdaw is delighted Mr Fello
has taken the time to visit our successful Learning Centre at
Meir."
"Building partnerships with
good employers like The Co-operative and local colleges to provide
our members with opportunities to return to learning and improve
their skills and knowledge is a key priority for Usdaw.
"Usdaw has now helped set up
over 50 workplace Learning Centres and in the past 12 months alone
nearly 10,000 of our members have returned to some form of
learning."
Notes for
Editors:
- For further information on Usdaw's Lifelong Learning
campaign visit: www.usdaw.org.uk/ourcampaigns/lifelonglearning.aspx
- The Co-operative Pharmacy - part of The Co-operative Group - is
the third largest pharmacy chain in the UK with nearly 800
branches. Further information is available at http://www.co-operativepharmacy.co.uk/
- Usdaw (the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is
the UK's fourth biggest and fastest growing trade union with over
410,000 members. Membership has increased by more than 17% in the
last five years and by nearly a third in the last decade. Most
Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has
many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing,
chemicals and other trades.