Commenting on the successful Bids, National Officer Chris Harding said the Executive Council were absolutely delighted that GPMU branches had been successful to the extent of securing almost £1,000,000 from the Union Learning Fund, which can only strengthen the GPMU's training agenda and strategy for GPMU members across the Industry in conjunction with the National Union and local branches.

Ouse Valley Branch

Ouse Valley Branch kicked off a major learning campaign at a well-attended launch presentation at Rushden and Diamonds Football Club.

The successful bid for £86,000 from the government's Union Learning Fund means the branch will be able to identify, train and develop a network of workplace learning reps over the next two years.

They in turn will identify learning needs among colleagues, who will take advantage of a dedicated learning centre equipped with the latest computer technology being set up by the branch.

Deputy general secretary Tony Burke congratulated the branch on its achievement, saying the GPMU had been successful in obtaining over £1 million nationally from the Union Learning Fund for such projects.

"Retraining at least three times in a working life-time is now a reality - computer skills, digital technology will not stand still: they develop year on year," he said.

The launch was supported by a large turnout of workplace reps, employers, educators and neighbouring branch officials. The meeting also heard from Ged Smith, an experienced learning rep from A& R Cartons in the Central Midlands Branch.

Date updated: 11/12/02

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Learning with the Mirror

The Hertfordshire & Essex and Merseyside, Central Lancashire and North Wales branches, in partnership with Mirror Colour Print, had a successful Union Learning Fund Bid to provide the opportunity to broaden the existing ITC training for GPMU members and their families provided by Mirror Colour Print at both their Watford and Oldham site.

The facility will now be extended for both company employees and other branch members. The Partners in the successful Bid are Mirror Colour Print, TUC Learning Services and local colleges.

Commenting on the successful Bid Jim Telford, Hertfordshire & Essex Branch Secretary said, "The successful Bid means we have allotted £170,000 for an 18 month project covering the 2 sites at Watford and Oldham. This funding presents an opportunity to extend our learning facilities to a much wider audience and for the 2 branches to begin developing a network of Learning Representatives in companies across the branches".
Date added: 23/05/02

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CMS Learning Centre

The CMS bid to open a Learning Centre in the Swan Street offices, Manchester has been successful and the sum of £195,312 has been made available to the branch.

The centre will roll out basic skills programmes in conjunction with the Paper Federation and offer Learndirect facilities within the Greater Manchester area.
Date added: 23/05/02

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Norfolk Learning Zone

The Norwich & North Anglia branch has secured £40,000 from the ULF. The funding will enable the branch to build on and expand the Norfolk Learning Zone, which provides lifelong learning opportunities for members in a wide range of topics.

Next steps include opening up the scheme to members in Suffolk and recruiting a full time training co-ordinator to expand and develop their Branch training infrastructure.
Date added: 23/05/02

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Sight (2) Project

South West, Wessex and the South Wales and Shires Branches, have been awarded ULF funding for the Sight (2) Project.

The bid, which is valued at close to £130,000 over a 2-year period, has clear aims and objectives focusing on the lifelong learning agenda and ensure that on-going training initiatives are a priority for the Union and its members in the South West of England.

The Project will seek to expand training courses and promote the role of the Learner Representatives. It will endeavour to train more Learner Representatives, promote Learndirect and continue with 'traditional' courses such as Graphics, Basic Skills, Computer Training, both NVQ Assessors and Qualifications and Modern Apprenticeships.

Learndirect will be an integral part of the Project and will attract non-traditional learners from rural areas into education. There is an intention to create learner centres at Bristol and Salisbury, providing a 'drop in' facility and further advice on learning initiatives.
Date added: 23/05/02

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Life Skills Through Online Learning

The Leeds and Central Yorkshire branch has secured £104,000 from the ULF. The funding will enable the Branch to employ a project worker to develop and manage a support network for GPMU Learning Representatives. Working for the Branch training centre and in conjunction with Leeds College of Technology, the project aims to:

1. Promote and recruit members onto basic skills courses.
2. Develop the training centre to allow access to online learning for members.
3. Manage a support network for GPMU Learning Representatives linking into TUC learning services.
4. Build on the links with Leeds College of Technology to provide basic skills and I.T. tuition with the aim of signposting them to further and higher education opportunities.

There is no doubt the next few years are going to be crucial if we are to address the skills shortage in our industry. This project will assist giving our members the support to go back to learning.

Date added: 27/05/02

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