Case Studies

Aaron Clapp Union Learning Rep at London Midland Trains

Walking through the mess room you will always find Aaron in deep conversation with some of his work colleagues, asking him various questions around learning opportunities such as DIY, IT, Maths, English, languages, fitness and British sign language to name a few. I decided to ask him why he got involved:

Aaron why become a ULR and what are some of your duties?

“Personally for my own selfish reasons for learning and to get me more involved with learning. I already have problems with reading and writing and becoming a ULR would help me to get better at the things I have problems with. Also after attending an Education for ASLEF course wanted to become more involved within the Union and Learning, and it’s a great opportunity to go around and help other people gain confidence and skills. “I am actually attending the English course we have set up in the workplace at the moment.”

“I work with the other ULR’s at London Midland to plan and organise learning opportunities both in the workplace and at the local college. After conducting learning needs surveys and talking to individuals to find out what people were interested in we arrange to meet the local College to discuss what we need and what they can provide to run courses. We produce all our own posters and leaflets to promote courses and activities. Sometimes all we give people is information and advice on opportunities available or sign post them to the relevant outside agencies.”

“We have a Learning Steering Group which meets with the Resource and Development Manager to talk about what we are planning to do as well as negotiate facilities like a learning centre and equipment, release for learners and support from the company with funding.”

During the meeting I took a break and left Aaron with the voice recorder, only to play it back to discover a karaoke version of Frank Sinatra’s “I did it may way”. Thanks Aaron!

Colin Berry – East Midlands Trains

A train driver with East Midlands Trains has been so inspired by the courses offered to him at his workplace that he has become, in his own words, “addicted to learning” and is now studying towards a degree with the Open University.

Colin Berry, from Derby, has developed a passion for learning since he was encouraged by his union learning representative to attend a short taster course in German back in 2006. Although he had not participated in formal learning for over 20 years, and was understandably nervous about going back into the classroom, Colin was so impressed by the effort that the Union Learning Rep (ULR) had put into setting the course up that he felt he could not let him down. He says “I wanted to get back into learning for a while but I needed the motivation and support to actually get me started. I really enjoyed the course and when it finished it left a gap and I just thought, what next?”

Over the next 18 months Colin took another more advanced German course, as well as courses in literacy, numeracy, and radical history, all organised by the union learning reps. The courses were delivered in the East Midlands Trains, Academy.

Colin is convinced that he would not have come as far as he has without the support he’s received at work, from his ULR. All employees are encouraged to take part in the Skills for Life courses and are either released from work or paid to attend, this arrangement is part of the learning agreement. Colin’s colleagues have also helped out when necessary by swapping shifts to help him fit his study around his work. Colin is full of praise for the ULRs in the company who have worked tirelessly to ensure they can offer a very wide range of courses, from languages to car maintenance, so as to appeal to as many people as possible and reach those, who like Colin, may not have learned for many years. As Colin remarks, “We (the staff) owe them a lot”.

ASLEF Lead ULR Chris Nutty, who first encouraged Colin back into learning, is full of admiration for his success, “Colin has done amazingly well and worked extremely hard. We’re all so impressed by what he has achieved”.

Colin is currently studying the Open University course “An Introduction to the Humanities”. On completion of this course he will receive a diploma, and more importantly it will count towards Colin’s ultimate goal, which is to complete a BA Honours degree in History.

Colin admits that the course is hard work, but says that it is easily worth it for the sense of satisfaction he gets when he receives his marked assignments back and has done well. He adds, “The courses I’ve done have given me so much more confidence and now I feel able to tackle subjects that I never would have imagined I could”.

As well as continuing his study with the Open University, Colin is also going to keep a close eye on the courses being offered at work and plans to sign up to any that interest him. He is extremely keen to carry on supporting the people that started him on his learning journey, and hopes to inspire others to follow him, “I would advise anyone considering starting learning to just give it a go. Talk to people, ask questions, find out about what is available and then do it”