GROUNDBREAKING LEARNING DEAL AT NETWORK RAIL

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: january 2012 :: RMTnews 27 Network Rail recently agreed with the union to launch a groundbreaking pilot scheme to pay back learners for the time they put into attending a literacy or numeracy course. There has been no previous agreement with NR that outlines any payment for members undertaking this training so this pioneering development has spurred on lots of activity amongst existing NR Union Learning Reps (ULRs) to encourage members to take up the opportunity. In the pilot areas - Liverpool, Doncaster and Bristol - ULRs have been working hard to set up English and maths courses to start early this year. The first step was to set up and run enrolment days at the local depots, which were advertised as Learning at Work events. Anyone interested had the chance come along to find out more about what is involved and to sign up for a course. ULR Dave Edwards organised the first Learning at Work event in November at Edge Hill depot which attracted more than 35 members. Representatives from Hugh Baird College will be providing the training along with a tutor from the local TU Education department, assisted by RMT regional organiser Andy Warnock-Smith and RMT learning development workers Emily King and Graham Chesters. The day was a great success with over 20 people signing up for a literacy course. The ULR has organised the training so that the college will be able to deliver the course using computers and learners will also receive some basic IT training. There was also a session in Bristol in December with ULRs John Bebbington and Gary Abbot putting a lot of work into organising and promoting the day. Over 30 people attended and Rebecca Ridd from Filton college was there to help people enrol and take them through the initial assessment process. “It is fantastic to see so much interest and enthusiasm in learning from RMT members and it is clear what a difference the new scheme for deferred paid release will make in supporting learners to attend their chosen course each week and gain a qualification,” she said. ULRs Carlo Pezzulo and Mark Eastwood have been drumming up a lot of interest for the Learning at Work open day planned to take place at the Doncaster, “With this new support from Network Rail paying members for the time they invest in improving their skills, we expect the enrolment day in Doncaster to be as successful as those in Liverpool and Bristol and courses to be set up at Ten Pound Walk depot to start in January,” Carlo said. For more information on any of the courses for Network Rail employees planned to run in the New Year please contact your local ULR in Liverpool: Dave on 07954 416 811, in Bristol: Gary on 07817 762 712 and in Doncaster: Carlo on 07917 268 101. GROUNDBREAKING LEARNING DEAL AT NETWORK RAIL New initiative at Network Rail will help members to improve their skills in English and Maths