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Connecting Learners

in the Third Sector in South

and Mid Wales

UNISON

Wales Union Learning Funded Project

In Partnership with Community Lives Consortium

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Contents

UNISON is Britain and Europe's biggest public sector union with more than 1.3 million members. Our

members are people working in the public services, for private contractors providing public services and in

the essential utilities. They include frontline staff and managers working full or part time in local authorities,

the NHS, the police service, colleges and schools, the electricity, gas and water industries, transport and

the voluntary sector. Last year UNISON recruited 137,000 new members - 375 per day.

Community Lives Consortium (known as The Consortium) is a non profit making organisation with

charitable status, registered as an Industrial and Provident Society which has charitable status, registration

number 26673R. The Consortium provides support for adults with learning disabilities working in

partnership with Social Services and Health Agencies.

Project Overview: What is Connecting

Learners?

Essential Skills in the Workplace Programme

(ESiW)

Summary of Free Sector Specific Workshops

available

Open University/ UNISON Learning

Partnership

UNISON Learning Programme

Union Learning Representatives: Creating a

culture of learning

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Project Oveview

Connecting Learners (in the Third Sector in South

and Mid Wales) is a partnership project between

Unison, Community Lives Consortium, and over

4000 community-voluntary organisations across

Wales.

It is funded by the Wales Union Learning Fund.

The aim of the project is to support and

compliment work based learning opportunities,

with an emphasis on the essential skills of

numeracy, literacy and IT.

We are also working with other unions

representing the staff in the partnership so that

the provision is as wide reaching as possible.

The Project will run until the 31st March 2016.

The Welsh Assembly Government has identified that over half of the Welsh adult population have poor literacy and numeracy skills. Meanwhile, the Third Sector has grown significantly in scale and diversity in recent years, yet funding has decreased for training. When you consider the mandatory requirements of this sector it is important that these skills gaps are supported and addressed in order to continue high standard service delivery to its users.

Free organisational, and individual Training Needs Analysis to identify areas where existing training provision may be enhanced

Assistance and support for organisations engaged with the Essential Skills Wales and/or Employer Pledge process: help with learning provider networking, workplace awareness raising

Free work based workshops to support the essential skills of literacy, numeracy and IT

Free workshops to support employability skills: communication skills, confidence building & assertiveness skills, CV Writing, Interview Skills etc (accredited and non-accredited)

An exclusive UNISON/Open University partnership offering an extensive range of online learning resources designed to support personal development

Recruitment, training and on-going support for Union Learning Representatives to encourage and sustain a culture of learning in the workplace

Confidential “one-to-one” information, advice and guidance on local learning opportunities and associated learning pathways

An opportunity to participate in national learning events such as Adult Learners Week, Quick Reads and the Six Book Challenge

What is Connecting Learners?

Why is Connecting Learners needed?

How can Connecting Learners help?

Project Staff:

Karen Fisher (Project Manager)

Nicola James (Project Administrator)

Address:

Connecting Learners Project

Community Lives Consortium, 24 Walter Road, Swansea

SA1 5NN

Tel: 01792 646640/ 07966 690038

Email:

Karen.fisher@communitylives.co.uk

Nicola.james@communitylives.co.uk

Website: www.connectinglearners.wordpress.com

Facebook:

Connecting Learners South Wales Page

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Essential Skills in the Workplace

(ESiW)

The Welsh Government describe the term as: “The

ability to read, write and speak in English or Welsh,

and to use mathematics and IT, at a level necessary to

function and progress at work and in society in

general”.

Recent studies including The Leitch Review of Skills

and Skills that Work for Wales reveal:

780,000 children, young people and

adults have literacy and numeracy

problems

One in four adults in Wales need

support

70% of the workforce for 2020 have

already left compulsory education

Poor basic skills are estimated to cost

the Welsh business economy £588m

per year (CBI)

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To apply for promotion

To understand Health and Safety

notices and instructions

To complete paperwork and fill in

forms

To take part in meetings

To read and understand work

instructions

To use reference systems e.g.

telephone directory, filing systems

To study for workplace qualifications -

46% of Level 1 NVQs required Level 2

reading skills

As mentioned previously, the financial cost of

poor essential skills is significant. However,

other effects include:

Messages passed on incorrectly

Poor customer relations

Wastage – both time and resources

Reluctance to contribute at meetings

Unwillingness to take on responsibility

Defensive, negative attitudes, hostile

to change

Errors in calculations – Health &

Safety implications

Difficulties with written instructions

Fear of technology – introduction of

new systems

What do we mean by Essential Skills?

The Extent of the Problem

Why do we need Essential Skills?

The cost to the workplace

The Welsh Government has invested in the ESiW

Programme and there is funding available for organisations,

to complete the programme and gain the employer pledge

award.

Please go to the link below for more information and the list

of Approved Providers that can deliver this free training.

Connectinglearners.wordpress.com/essential-skills-wales/

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How can Connecting Learners help improve Essential Skills?

Using examples of good practice gathered through previous WULF Projects and involving experienced

Project Managers we can offer:

Free organisational and individual Training Needs Analysis (TNAs) designed to establish training

needs and skills gaps

Development of a free e-learning package including e-TNAs, e-ILPs and a dedicated Digital

Inclusion Project.

Assistance with signing up to the ESiW. The ESiW is a Welsh Assembly led grant scheme which is

aimed at employers wishing to support essential skills improvement

Awareness raising workshops for employers – focusing on essential skills and dyslexia awareness

Signposting learners to diagnostic assessment for dyslexia

A range of free essential skills themed workshops

Essential Skills Workshops include:

Report Writing at Work (care plans etc)

Form Filling

Managing Money

Improve Your Spelling

Letter Writing

Improve Your Reading

Dealing with Numbers

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Summary of FREE Sector Specific Workshops

In addition to essential skills provision, we are also able to offer a range of FREE workshops aimed at personal development. All workshops carry the option of accreditation which will allow the learner to achieve a qualification. All accreditation costs will be met by the project. Workshops are flexible according to the service needs of the organisation. They may be located in or close to the workplace and may take place during working hours or during the evening. These include: Essential Skills & Dyslexia Soft Skills

Awareness Raising Workshop

Full day workshop on raising awareness of Essential Skills issues and Dyslexia in the workplace.

Online Awareness Raising Module

An alternative to the full day Awareness Raising Workshop

Communication Skills

Confidence Building & Assertiveness

Time Management

Dealing with Conflict

Presentation Skills

Meeting & Chairing Skills/ Minute Taking

Mindfulness

Active Citizenship

Helped me understand

issues that people are

dealing with and how

to help overcome them.

Essential Skills& Dyslexia

Awareness

Sioned Jones

The Rowan Organisation

Sioned Jones

Definitely more

confident...I’m a black belt on

my iPhone now...

Basic IT Workshop

Mark Drew Swansea Carers

Centre

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IT Skills Get That Job!

Person Centred Care/ Supporting Customers & Service Users

Please note this list is not exhaustive. Tailor made courses are available.

Visual Impairment Awareness

Deaf Awareness

An Introduction to British Sing Language

Learning Disability Awareness

Understanding Autism

Dealing with Dementia

Equalities & Diversity

Stress Awareness

Welsh Language

Mental Health Awareness

CV Writing

Interview Skills

Job Applications

Searching for Jobs

Coping with Change

Basic Introduction

Using Email & Internet

Using Social Media

Managing Spreadsheets (EXCEL)

Creating documents using WORD

How to use WUNDOWS

Internet Safety & Security

One of the best

training courses I’ve

ever been on...

Confidence Workshop

Gillian Handscombe

Communities First

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Introducing the UNISON / Open University Partnership

New Learning on the Web

Improving Education and Learning Opportunities for All 2010 marked the start of a new era in the UNISON/OU Partnership with the launch of its’ brand new website:

Short Course Professional Development (CPD):

From our new website you will be able to get a range of useful materials which will enable you to

access short course CPD. These may be organised using a series of models:

Taster Sessions:

One hour or half-hour taster sessions conducted at the workplace perhaps over a lunch time

or at the end of shift. An extensive range of topics are available to study either as

individuals or as a “learning group”

Workshops:

These are more formal and structured sessions which are supported by Open University

tutors

Podcasts:

This is a new form of web-based learning produced to the highest broadcast standard. The

podcasts will demonstrate “expert opinion” and knowledge from specialist speakers which

will then prompt discussion within the group

Flexilearn is an innovative new learning system for UNISON members being developed in partnership with

the Open University. It offers vocationally relevant Continuing Personal Development opportunities in the

form of short workshops, bite size taster sessions and podcasts suitable for workers.

UNISON Learning Programmes

www.open.ac.uk/choose/unison

What can the Partnership provide for you?

Flexilearn

If you would like more information on the courses

available please contact:

Helen Huelin

Regional Development and Learning Organiser

Tel: 02920 729414/ 07957 505756

Email: h.huelin@unison.co.uk

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Is it for me?

Are you considering going back into education to brush up your skills?

Do you have few, if any educational qualifications?

Are you looking for a change of direction?

What’s in the course?

You will have the opportunity to follow 5 core units of

study:

Personal Development & Progression

Descriptive Writing & Note Taking

Research Through Interview

Understanding & Expressing Your Points of View

Using Number Skills in a Project

Where facilities permit, an addition module: Using Your Computer, may be offered

Is it for me?

If you are a woman who wants to get back into education but have been put off in the past

because it all seemed to difficult

If you are a woman who has been out of education

for a long time and have had few educational

opportunities in the past

What’s in the course?

Brushing up rusty study skills

Reading & Taking Notes, Planning & Writing Essays

Looking at life experiences at work, family and in the community

Investigating how women are portrayed in the media

Confidence Building

Planning for the future

Need a New Challenge?

Return to Learn

Need a New Start?

Women’s Lives

For Further Details Contact:

Helen Huelin

Tel: 02920 729414/ 07957 505756

Email: h.huelin@unison.co.uk

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Union Learning Representatives (ULRs)

The success of the Connecting Learners Project depends largely on an active network of Union

Learning Representatives (ULRs).

Some of the activities ULRs are involved with include:

Supporting members getting back into learning

Providing information, advice and guidance on the various learning opportunities in the

workplace and in the wider community

Advice and guidance on learning and career pathways

Working with UNISON Branches to support their recruiting strategies

Supporting WULF Projects like Connecting Learners

Accessing funding for learning provision

Organising workshops and events to coincide with national learning campaigns such as

Adult Learners Week and World Book Day

Under the Employment Act (1992), Union Learning Reps are entitled to paid time off to

attend training essential to their role.

In order to carry out the role confidently, full training is provided which may take place in the

following formats:

The most common format is the 5-day training course. This normally takes places on

UNISON premises and is delivered by an experienced Tutor or WULF Project Manager

Wales TUC 5-day course (similar to above)

UNISON Blended Learning option – Part of the course is studied by distance using

materials on a cd-rom. This is supported by a series of short tutorials (equivalent to 2

days). This option is particularly useful for front line staff that need to avoid disruption to

service delivery.

ULRs are enthusiasts and advocates for lifelong learning.

Unlike traditional trade union activists, they support staff around

learning issues.

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Training Needs Analysis

I am interested in: (please tick)

Essential Skills & Dyslexia

Signposting & Referral Report Writing

Awareness Raising workshop Managing your Money

Online Awareness Raising Module Improve your spelling

IT Skills

Basic Introduction How to Use WINDOWS

Using Email & Internet Using Social Media

Managing Spreadsheets Internet Safety & Security

Creating documents using WORD

Soft Skills

Communication Skills Presentation Skills

Confidence Building & Assertiveness Meeting & Chairing Skills/ Minute Taking

Time Management Mindfulness

Dealing with Conflict Active Citizenship

Get That Job!

CV Writing Job Applications

Searching for Jobs Coping with Change

Interview Skills

Person Centered Care/ Supporting Customers & Service Users

Visual Impairment Awareness Dealing with Dementia

Deaf Awareness Equalities & Diversity

An Introduction to British Sign Language Stress Awareness

Learning Disability Awareness Welsh Language

Understanding Autism Mental Health Awareness

Name:

Workplace:

Address:

Email:

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Essential Skills in the Workplace Referral Form.

Organsation: Name:

Address:

Email: Telephone Number:

ESiW Region: South West/ South East/ Mid Wales/ North Wales

Have you had contact with any of the approved ESiW Providers?

Yes

No

If Yes, Which provider/s?

_____________________________________________________________________

Have you got a preferred provider?

Yes

No

If Yes, Which Provider/s?

_____________________________________________________________________

What ESiW Qualification is your organisation interested in?

Communication IT

Numeracy All

Any other Information? Initial Assessments/ previous training etc..

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Organisation Sign:

Date:

Connecting Learners Sign:

Date: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Office Use: Connecting Learners

Referral Method:

Referral Date:

Approved Provider Details:

Organisation Contact Details: