learning centre's
P O A Learning Centre's
LIFE LONG LEARNING AND THE PROFESSIONALISATION
During our Annual Conference in May the National Executive Committee had great pleasure in officially launching the POA’s learning centres initiative. We believe that all our members should have easy access to courses to improve their essential skills and their professional competences. With this in mind we have secured a substantial sum of money from the union learning fund to set up a national network of our own regionally placed learning centres. This will be of great benefit to all our members and will be a positive benefit at the point of delivery in a proactive way.
The centres will run a variety of courses including specifically tailored professional academic qualifications to aid in individual development, these are still to formulated. Extra curricular courses will also be available, as will trade union courses of all types.
This initiative is both exciting and new, which will allow all our members the ability to access courses currently unattainable. We plan to develop promotional development courses to aid our members in pursuit of gaining advancement within the rank structure. These courses will include report writing, NVQ’s, interview techniques and even CV writing. The planning of our centres is still in its planning but we will have the network operational by December of this year, and we now need members to take on the role of union learning representatives.
The union learning representative will be the ambassador of our training centres and our ground floor providers. They will help develop staff and find appropriate courses for them. There will be statutory paid time for them to carry out their duties and a full support network to rely on. As part of a partnership approach part of the learning representatives role will be to aid in the utilisation of Prison Service courses also. Full training will be given via the TUC for all learning representatives.
If you believe that you would make a good learning representative or would like more information then either contact your local Branch Secretary or ring our Leeds office where I will happily help you.
To finish this article Pete Cartwright and myself attended the 2003 Union Learning Fund conference in the centre of London. The speakers included Brendan Barber the General Secretary of the TUC and Charles Kennedy Secretary of state. The conference was both informative and interesting with the basic skills agenda taking pride of place. The Government fully support the learning services initiative and have
Pledged substantial amounts of investment in its pursuit.
There will be a dedicated magazine covering in-depth the full range of our learning services initiative.
STEVE GOUGH
NEC
THE STORY SO FAR
It was late in 2002 that Steve Gough (NEC) put to the executive that the association should have its own Learning Centres Nationally.
Following on from those early talks and the executive's decision, Colin Moses, the National Chairman, set up a sub committee consisting of Steve Gough, Peter Cartwright and Glyn Travis to formulate a strategy. Reporting back to the NEC periodically.
The Association was fortunate that Steve Gough already had knowledge of this type of project due to his involvement with the TUC North West.
That the Association has in place POA UK Learning Centres in each of the geographical areas of the Prison Estate by 2006/7.
To deliver education and training to prison staff, families and members of the public on demand.
Plan
To achieve the Association's aim it was paramount that the contract with the Union Learning Fund was accepted.
The contract had to be specific, outlining the details of how the Association's aim's would be achieved.
It had to be measurable, to prove that the Association were and are committed to the process.
It had to be achievable, therefore, only realistic proposals were included.
Finally, it had to be structured to ensure the proposed timescales were met.
To ensure the contract with the ULF was accepted it was obvious that a lot of work, time and effort was necessary.
We knew that key areas had to be achieved, hurdles overcome and a greater understanding of the project and process was essential.
On the 17th January 2003, Steve wrote to Ian Lockwood Area Manager North West, regarding the potential release of office space.
This was another tentative approach to assess how committed the Prison Service were to a partnership agreement.
Following early discussions with the Prison Service by Steve Gough it was agreed that technical support would be available from Newbold Revel Training Department. This was to finalise the POA's bid to the ULF.
The sub group formalised a skeleton framework outlining what would be ideal if the bid were successful. A meeting was arranged on the first draft bid.
On the 24th January 2003 this was submitted to the Union Learning Fund Team for consideration. It became apparent that the Minister responsible for Prisons was pleased with the Association's commitment.
On the 7th February 2003 the General Secretary wrote to the Prison Service in respect of potential office space being released at HMP Bristol.
As a result of the letter Steve Gough and Glyn Travis attended the prison and put the request to the Governor for office space.
Whilst this would have been ideal, no formal offer was or has been forthcoming.
On the 24th February 2003, a formal offer for accommodation at HMP Manchester was given by Ian Lockwood. "Things were looking up".
In March a meeting was arranged with Carl Roper who was leading the TUC North West project on Life Long Learning.
This proved to be invaluable giving the sub group a greater understanding of how the project and process works.
Unfortunately, "bad news arrived" the Association's first bid had been rejected by the ULF.
We were informed that "capital funds" for building or buying office space was not acceptable or part of the ULF remit.
Back to the drawing board
On the 25th March 2003, the Association submitted it's second bid to the ULF for consideration.
This enabled the subgroup to formulate the "first year strategic plan in written form".
On the 31st March 2003, it was clear that the Prison Service or at least some of it's Governors were not fulfilling the partnership agreement as promised. This was pivotal if the bid was to be successful. Steve Gough wrote to Gareth Hadley Director of Personnel, outlining the Association's disappointment at their failing's. Following this the Association's General Secretary, Brian Caton wrote to Ivan Lewis on the same issue.
On the 17th April 2003, the inaugural Union Learning Workshop took place at H.M.P. Liverpool.
Local union representatives from the North West were invited, the workshop was a success with guest speakers giving presentations on the project.
Again, "the bad news arrived", the second draft bid had been rejected. Steve Gough worked very hard analysing the area's of concern and a final version was submitted to Roy Wildgoose of the TUC on the 16th May 2003, just prior to the Association's Annual Conference.
The Association's 64th Annual Conference welcomed the conference paper on "Life Long Learning" and the fringe meeting.
Finally, the process and bid was moving forward at pace and with purpose.
A meeting with TUC representatives took place at Linden House in early June 2003, the bid had been accepted, although, some area's needed a little more development.
The priority was now to appoint a project manager.
Following the success of H.M.P. Belmarsh's learning centre, Steve Gough wrote to the Governor and requested Andy Rowett be released on secondment to the POA as the UK ULF Project Manager.
Throughout the process member's of the sub group and executive had been trying to secure an agreement with the Prison Service for office space. To facilitate the requirements of the contract in respect of the number of centres.
On the 4th July, Peter Cartwright wrote to the Governor of Hatfield regarding suitable office accommodation. It was also the date that a formal offer of appointment was given to Andy, which we are pleased he accepted.
As you would expect, the Prison Service could not release him straight away and the 1st of September 2003 was agreed by both parties, as the starting date.
On the 19th August 2003, Pete Cartwright received good news from the Governor at Hatfield, office space and a training room was available and accepted.
The 1st September 2003 arrived and Andy took up post as the ULF Project Manager for the Association.
Working alongside Steve Gough and Pete Cartwright, meetings were arranged to develop the Association's plan and fulfil the contract.
On the 24th September 2003, a cluster meeting took place on the Isle of Wight to promote the Association's project. Following this meeting accommodation was offered and accepted at Camp Hill prison on the 29th September 2003.
Unfortunately, whilst accepting this "good news, "bad news" also arrives. HMP Manchester is now in the "High Security Estate" and the planned offices are no longer available. Steve Gough contacts Ian Lockwood on this issue on the 26th September 2003 to see if there are any other suitable alternatives.
October was a busy month with work ongoing in respect of a Wales ULF bid. This had to be separate from the first bid of the Association due to Government devolution.
Adverts for Centre Managers and admin workers were promulgated and on the 31st October 2003 the Wales ULF bid was submitted for consideration.
Steve wrote to the Prison Service and other prison unions seeking letters of support.These would be invaluable in support of this bid.
On the 3rd November 2003, The first POA UK Learning Centre Training Course takes place in Albany House on the Isle of Wight (Real Progress & Success).
On the 25th November 2003, the Wales ULF bid was finally accepted following necessary changes by Andy Rowett and Steve Gough to ensure it is achievable.
On the 28th November 2003, an internal advert is promulgated seeking applicants for the National Administrator post.
Steve Gough wrote to the Governor's of Deerbolt, Full Sutton and Dartmoor seeking permission to conduct preparatory work on potential centre sites.
The summary of the work in moving the POA UK Learning Centres project to where it is today, fails to recognise the commitment from other individuals.
The National Executive Committee for their support.
The Finance Officer, Peter Hancox, for his advice and guidance in respect of the financial aspects of the contract.
The National Chairman, Colin Moses, because without his drive and commitment to move the Union forward we would not be here today.
Sarah Shillito for the administration support.
Roy Wildgoose and Julie Swift, of the TUC for their advice and guidance in the early stages.
Andy Rowett who has forced the project through on a daily basis not allowing anyone to rest on their laurel's
Peter Cartwright for the dedication and support of the project
Finally, to Steve Gough, whose drive, commitment and enthusiasm has been pivotal to where the association are today.
Glyn Travis
Assistant Secretary
NIACE plays a central role in advising on and co-ordinating developments on policy and practice affecting adult learners. Through its work, NIACE aims to widen the provision of learning opportunities for adults. Three promotional campaigns are co-ordinated by NIACE each year to increase awareness of learning opportunities for adults and to celebrate adults who have already achieved in learning.
In September and January, the Sign Up Now promotional campaign supports enrolments, and in May, Adult Learners’ Week sparks a nationwide frenzy of free taster sessions that are held for adults to attend, get a taste of learning and decide if they would like to take their learning experience further. Awards are also presented during Adult Learners’ Week to individuals, projects, groups, older learners and adults who have progressed in the workplace or, gained employment as a result of their learning experience. Further details of the campaigns, awards and other promotional work at NIACE is detailed inside the latest Discover newsletter. If you’d like to receive a free copy, call the Campaigns Team on 0116 204 4200 or email alw@niace.org.uk.
For more information on Adult Learners’ Week, 15-21 May 2004, visit www.niace.org.uk and for information on Sign Up Now, visit www.signupnow.org.uk.
Learning takes a leap forward
The POA union learning project is fast becoming established around the regions, with centres actively engaging with learners at both Haverigg and Belmarsh Prisons, over the past year.
We are opening the following centres in early February 2004
· HMYOI Moorland
· HMP Gloucester
· HMP Albany, Camphill & Parkhurst (Albany House)
The centres are available to all staff working for the Prison Service, their families and anyone working for any of the other Criminal justice agencies or Hospitals.
HMP Haverigg
Have developed in partnership with the TUC, Learn direct, the local Prison Management team a drop in learning centre that can offer staff, families and members of the local community access to 2000 free Learn direct courses available on line. A part time POA centre manager is running the centre and they are being supported by some of the trained Union Learning Reps from with in the establishment.
HMP Belmarsh
The centre is being supported for 3 days per week by Lewisham College and staff can access the following learning opportunities: -
Information Technology (from switching on a computer to writing Power point presentations), which are all Open College, accredited.
Report writing
Customer care (Essential skills for OSG’s)
Mentor training, all which are available free of charge to staff.
Union Learning in Wales
We have submitted a bid to the Welsh Assembly to access funding to provide a learning centre in South Wales the NEC are looking at suitable available venues, one of which could be an industrial unit in Neath already designated as a learning centre for other unions. Further information will be available in early February 2004
All our centres when opened would welcome staff dropping in to see what we are about, and if we are not offering courses that suite your immediate needs please let us know. For further information please contact one of the following:- Sarah Shillito (ULF) POA Learning centre
HMYOI Moorland - Andy Rowett Project Manager 07971 675 284 / 01634 838 275
Or raise the issue with your NEC member or local branch committee who will pass the information on to the National staff.