Dave Osborne, learning representative at Westland Helicopters, Yeovil, is one of the first Amicus members to gain a Certificate in Work and Learning thanks to the union's partnership with the University of Leeds. Dave was among the very group of learners to enrol on the new course, which has been specially developed with Amicus learning reps in mind. The new Certificate is proving a popular choice among members like Dave who have completed their core learning reps training, but who wish to gain a university certificate as well as explore learning at work in more detail.

Dave says: 'The course went into questions that we could only touch on when I did my original learning reps training at Whitehall, and it covered issues - like informal learning, and learning for citizenship - that I hadn't previously considered. The idea that skills that are not directly work related can actually improve work performance still seems to escape most employers. I was able to utilise a lot of material that I have collected over the years that I've been struggling to get learning onto our bargaining agenda'.

Dr Cilla Ross, senior researcher at the University of Leeds and co-ordinator of the programme, is impressed with the standard of work that Dave (who's work earned him a distinction grade) and other Amicus students are producing:

'Students benefit from planning in full a lifelong learning strategy for their workplace. Union members have demonstrated and developed important lifelong learning skills such as understanding learning needs, communicating about learning and problem solving at work. Perhaps most importantly they have, in many cases, developed their negotiating and 'bargaining for learning' skills. Students have tended to study this Certificate alongside their learning reps activity, so their work has a practical application too. It's often said that the most valuable resource of a trade union is its membership. The dedication to detail and creative solutions to work and learning demonstrated by the union members on this programme bears this out'.

Dave left school aged 15 with no qualifications and spent eleven and a half years in Fleet Air Arm, followed by four and a half years as a civilian aircraft fitter.

'It was when I was made redundant from that job with a family to support that I realised the value of learning. I spent a year as a full-time student at Chippenham College studying to be a Technical Author; I gained two City and Guilds certificates, a much improved CV, and a taste for learning.'

Since catching the 'learning bug' Dave has managed to combine working with learning very successfully, gaining a BSc and MA through distance learning. He says he's been lucky to have had the support of his family, his employer and the union.

Lifelong learning definitely doesn't stop here for Dave. He's currently doing a Psychology AS-level, and is already planning his next course:

'A recent job change has meant more contact with the Italian half of our company, so I'm considering taking up Italian lessons. At some point I also hope to re-enroll with Whitehall Online to study the Globalisation units. The threat from foreign competition and the alleged skills gap in our workforce is one of the key drivers behind the lifelong learning agenda. However, I believe that most decisions to move jobs abroad are not based on any lack of skills among our members. Instead such decisions are usually due to incompetence or the fact that foreign workers are cheaper because they are more easily exploited and intimidated'.

Dave was among the very first Amicus members to be trained as a learning rep, completing his first course at Whitehall College nearly five years ago. 'I kind of got sucked in from there as I started attending Branch meetings on a regular basis in order to spread the lifelong learning message. As a consequence, I've become much more involved in the union in general. I'm now well qualified as a learning rep, and I've done Stage 1 Health and Safety training with the TUC. I now want to improve my qualifications as a Workplace Rep, especially now that I'm the Education Officer for my workplace and Branch'.

Along with the other union learning reps at Westland, Dave hopes to set up a learning agreement at the company, to improve learning opportunities for members and ensure that they have the support they need to continue learning. 'I believe that it's impossible to separate lifelong learning from the other issues facing us as a union - pay, pensions, grading, the merger, and so on. My priority in the workplace is lifelong learning, but I continue to wear my other hats'.

For information about the Certificate in Work and Learning and other Amicus open and distance learning courses, follow this link or contact Dr Sarah Howard, Director of Education, Whitehall College, Tel: 01279 755677, Email: sarah.howard@amicustheunion.org