Education

Project Team

Declan MacIntyre - Project Worker

I am a member of the Proud to Educate team and cover the Southeast, South and Southwest of England.

I have been involved in adult learning for the last 4 years, initially as a learner, then ULR, lead ULR and now Project Worker. My role is to help and assist ULR’s and Lead ULR’s to improve the lives of our members through education. This can be with “Skills for Life” courses that include: Literacy, Numeracy, ICT and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) as well as NVQ’s. I look to work with forward thinking employers to improve access to learning, as well as improving the skills of our membership.

I have become involved with learning because I have seen the immense affect it can have on people, not only at work but their home lives. I want to help develop members for a better future and a stronger ASLEF. Building skills also helps to build confidence and a more rewarding life. That’s why I’m proud to be in the Proud to Educate team.

Julie Freeston - Project Worker

I am one of the Project Workers for the ASLEF – Proud to Educate Project, working with London Midland, First Capital Connect, EWS, SERCO, Northern Rail, Mersey Rail, Hull trains, TPE and Nexus.

My background

As a former shop steward within a large print company in Lincolnshire I have had over 20 year’s experience of being an active union member. Having attended some Trade Union courses and ICT learning, my interest in raising the learning opportunities for my colleagues at work inspired me, and in 1998 I volunteered to become a Union Learning Rep, a position I held for over 6 years. To continue my professional development I took up the opportunity to become an Adult Outreach Adviser for Nextstep the Information, Advice and Guidance service for adults over the age of 20, promoting learning and work opportunities.

I then embarked on a 20 month secondment with the Unite Amicus Union Learning Fund Project as a Learning Organiser until being made redundant in March 2007, and from April 2007 to March 2008 worked with the Rail Unions on the Rail Union Learning Project (RUL), and now with the ASLEF – Proud to Educate Project.

Having been a Union Learning Rep. in the days before ULRs where given statutory rights to carry out their duties, I have experienced some of the barriers associated with the ULR role, and found it a very different type of activist role of that as a Workplace Rep. This was very challenging at times, but one of the most rewarding activist roles I was fortunate to hold in the workplace.

Union Learning Reps. Are instrumental in engaging people into learning and training opportunities that transforms a person’s life and gives them the opportunity and belief to a better quality of life both inside and outside the workplace. And in taking initiatives forward for raising Skills for Life* levels and increasing the number of adults achieving Level 2 and 3 qualifications.

If union members want to become a Union Learning Rep they should discuss it first with a ULR if you have one in your workplace, the Branch or Company Council rep or their Full-Time District Organiser. An election then takes place and the information is then sent to head office, where it is then added to the database and the necessary letters, forms and information is sent out to the employer and newly elected ULR and dedicated Project Worker.

A 5 day ULR Training course is then arranged by the Project Worker within the first six months of post, and additional training when available.

All ULR course are provided free and delivered through the TUC/Unionlearn Trade Union Education departments in the various regions.

Sarah Laurie - Project Support Worker

I am the Project Support Worker for ASLEF - Proud to Educate and responsible for providing administrative support to the Project Coordinator and the Project Workers as well as supporting the ULRs and ASLEF members.

My previous work experience includes, Programme Support Worker for the Rail Union Learning project which successfully established the role of the ‘Rail Union Learning Rep’. I also spent a number of years working in the National Health Service in both Newcastle upon Tyne and London where I was involved in the recruitment of health care staff.

Having left school with no qualifications I became a mature student and passed a foundation studies course which led to me studying for an HND at University full time for two years. I have embarked on various courses since for work and also for enjoyment.

I am committed to life long learning and ensuring learning is an integral part of the union structures. I believe that everyone has the right to an education whether it is for personal interest or for better opportunities within the workplace.

Shirley Handsley - Project Co-ordinator (currently on maternity leave, any queries should be directed to Julie Freeston)

I have been working with ASLEF on the learning agenda since April 2006 but have been working with trade unions since 2002 and before that I was a lay activist within the company that I worked.

My role within the ASLEF – Proud to Educate Project is Project Co-ordinator and my responsibilities include:

Working with the ASLEF National Organiser to integrate and make learning sustainable within ASLEF.
Supporting in the negotiation of learning agreements, recruiting ULRs, setting up learning initiatives etc.
Working with ASLEF ULRs to make sure ASLEF members learning needs are being met.
Promote and publicise the success of the project and seek external funding for lifelong learning activity.

The list above is just a few of the things involved in my role. I also have responsibility for supporting the project within some of the train operating companies.