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RMT helpline 0800 3763706 :: october 2008 :: RMTnews
24
Union learning project worker
Neil Hooper of St Austell branch
says that he gets great
satisfaction out of being a Trade
Union Learning Rep (TULR) as
he can also contribute so much
to help people in the area of
education.
“Education is a basic human
right and it’s great to see that
we as a union can help support
and educate our people in the
workplace and the public that
use our services,” he said.
Literacy and numeracy skills
are among the courses available
as well as NVQ cleaning
qualifications and the company-
led NVQ road passenger
transport level two.
Neil has teamed up with local
author Simon Hall to run a
course on how to write short
stories and help develop reading
and writing skills for staff
throughout the company
“Through Simon with have
made contact with Accent Press
that produces the Quick Reads
series and we intend to set up
mobile libraries and book swap
clubs,” he said.
To this end, Neil is involved
in converting two local service
buses into mobile education
centres to reach out across the
Penzance area of Cornwall.
“We often take Bilbo, the
world’s only surf life-saving
dog, with us on the bus and
people love making a fuss of
him,” he said.
Neil is currently taking a
course in understanding
dyslexia which affects one in 10
people in the country. He also
recently scooped the individual
progression award at the Trade
Union Learning Reps conference
in Leeds. He is using the £300
prize to take up an Adult
Learning Support course.
PLYMOUTH
Pauline Harris and Paul Murphy
of Plymouth No5 branch have
been working together to
conduct makaton courses thanks
to an RMT grant. Makaton is a
method of communication using
signs and symbols and is often
used as a communication
process for those with learning
difficulties. These courses were
Nick Quirk reports how the Trade
Union Learning Representative
scheme is achieving great
successes for RMT members at
First Devon and Cornwall Buses
UNION LEARNING A
DEVON AND CORNW