REMPLOY LEARNING CENTRE, REDRUTH

Rob Garrett, Project Worker for TUC Learning Services (Cornwall), was the driving force behind developing a partnership between the employer, unions, local providers and the local IAG network, to ensure that the Objective One Project, TUC Learning Centre, with quality support by the partners, would be run in a smooth and efficient manner.

The initial idea came from Roger Haywood (site manager), who wanted to develop a Learning Centre, to tie in with the changes taking place in the factory. Team working was being introduced, thus giving his staff more empowerment; this was somewhat of a ‘culture shock’ to some of the staff. Roger was aware that this would happen, so he put learning and training high on the agenda, knowing that these would be needed to help the team work ethos develop and work well.

Fortunately, for Rob and Roger, Colin Grey (a GMB member) had recently completed the TUC ULR course and knew Rob quite well, he also had a good working relationship with Roger, so after a series of meetings, by the end of last summer, plans were being put into place to get the Learning Centre ‘up and running’.

Between September and Christmas, Rob bought in Neil Yates (Cornwall College Direct), who provided the Centre with a Learndirect ‘pod’. Libby Pidcock and Maxine Naismith (Link Into Learning – Basic skills at Work), Cathy Whitmore (GO4 – IAG partner), Colin Grey (St Austell Learning Shop), who are supporting the Learndirect courses with ongoing support and Brian Farmer (Cornwall Business School), who is providing basic skills needs assessments and courses.

Meanwhile, whilst all the above was taking place, 18 members of Remploy staff attended a 3 hour taster session at Redruth Learning Shop, some of whom are now participating in the City & Guilds 7262 Level 1, the others have gained some confidence to use the facilities in the Learning Centre. At the moment, Link Into Learning are running a Communications Course on site, with the emphasis on basic skills, and after only the first session, all 18 course participants have expressed an interest in improving their literacy/numeracy skills. Also, Mary Bruce, who has done some excellent work in coordinating a lot of the activities, will participate in the next ULR Course, starting in March. Finally Cathy Whitmore (Project Worker – GO4 – local IAG partners), has set up an access point where Remploy employees have been able to attend information, advice and guidance sessions on matters such as learning and claiming benefits.

To celebrate the work that has gone into making the Centre ‘happen’, an official launch took place, attended by representatives from all the partners involved, including Nigel Costley (Regional Secretary SW TUC), Helen Cole (Coordinator SW TUC Learning Services), Graham Jones (Regional director - Learndirect Southern) and finally Glyn Ford SW Labour MEP, who officially opened the Centre who said: “This is a wonderful example of people getting together, forming a partnership that would really work. It is a way forward to develop the skills of the workforce, and it is a model that other employers, not only in Cornwall could follow. With regards to Remploy, this is an appropriate way to start the new year which is also the European Year of People with Disabilities.”