UNION LEARNING NEWS

Following a lot of hard work from people who know learning is for life and a fantastic approach from London Midland, we were able to get the first Information Technology Qualification (ITQ) course off the ground at Watford Junction. We worked in partnership with City and Islington College who agreed to deliver an ITQ course in four one-day sessions and twenty four learners enrolled. It had not been easy as we had a change of internet provider just weeks before the course was due to start so this set us back a few weeks. Also, the room was double- booked and we had to change the dates so another room could be found. After several calls, the Revenue Protection Manager said we could use their training room. This meant that laptops would need to be transported back and forth to cover the ITQ course but we needed to do this to prevent further delays. Too many people had put in too much hard work to see this course end up being put back again. We were not about to let the learners down. The course did go ahead, and yes, we did have a few people drop out due to other commitments. However, the majority of learners completed the course and they are now awaiting their results. For me, I have enjoyed the whole thing from start to finish. The problems we had were a learning curve and I now look forward to getting many more people involved in learning. We are planning a presentation event soon when all of the successful learners will receive their ITQ level two certificates. RMT helpline 0800 3763706 :: february 2009 :: RMTnews 22 R MT members working at Leeds station for Northern Rail have just completed the first computer course set up for rail workers in Leeds. After holding successful Open Days to promote adult learning to rail workers at Leeds station it was clear that there was great demand for ICT courses. Working in partnership with Park Lane College in Leeds, union learning rep(ULR) Mohammed Ilyas organised an ICT course which was delivered for seven learners at a college venue close to the station. The learners told us that the employer is increasingly relying on computers and new technology in its business activities and the new skills they have learned are helping them at work and at home. Janet Prudhoe attended the course and is now confident sending e-mails. “I am now sending e-mails regularly and I can also send attachments now,” she said. Kevin Flynn said that he enjoyed the course: “I am now much more confident using a computer than I was before attending this course”. Glynn Mitchell said that after completing the course he was now “keen to move on to more advanced stuff such as learning about Excel spreadsheets and using formulas”. A new ICT course is scheduled to start very soon. The attached photos show three of the successful learners and their ULR (l-r Kevin Flynn, Mohammed Ilyas, Janet Prudhoe and Glyn Mitchell) with their certificates COMPUTING AT LONDON MIDLAND: RMT union learning rep Karen Lloyd shares her experience of organising a computer course for her colleagues at London Midland ICT COURSE FOR RAIL WORKERS AT LEEDS STATION UNION LEAR