Connecting Learners South and Mid Wales Prospectus by Connecting Learners South and Mid Wales

Connecting Learners in the Third Sector in South and Mid Wales UNISON Wales Union Learning Funded Project In Partnership with Community Lives Consortium

Contents

 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

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 Oveview What is Connecting Learners? How can Connecting Learners help? 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. Why is Connecting Learners needed? 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.

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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 nonaccredited) 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

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 3

Facebook: Connecting Learners South Wales Page

Essential Skills in the Workplace (ESiW)

Why do we need Essential Skills?

What do we mean by Essential Skills?

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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”.

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The Extent of the Problem

 Recent studies including The Leitch Review of Skills and Skills that Work for Wales reveal: 

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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)

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

The cost to the workplace

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

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/

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

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 

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

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

Soft Skills        

Communication Skills Confidence Building & Assertiveness Time Management Dealing with Conflict Presentation Skills Meeting & Chairing Skills/ Minute Taking Mindfulness Active Citizenship

Definitely more confident...I’m a black belt on my iPhone now... Basic IT Workshop Mark Drew Swansea Carers Centre

IT Skills       

Basic Introduction Using Email & Internet Using Social Media Managing Spreadsheets (EXCEL) Creating documents using WORD How to use WUNDOWS Internet Safety & Security

Get That Job!     

CV Writing Interview Skills Job Applications Searching for Jobs Coping with Change

Person Centred Care/ Supporting Customers & Service Users

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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

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

One of the best training courses I’ve ever been on... Confidence Workshop Gillian Handscombe Communities First

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:

www.open.ac.uk/choose/unison

What can the Partnership provide for you?

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 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.

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

UNISON Learning Programmes 8

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

Need a New Challenge? Return to Learn

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 Need a New Start? opportunities in the past

Women’s Lives 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

For Further Details Contact: Helen Huelin Tel: 02920 729414/ 07957 505756 Email: h.huelin@unison.co.uk 9

Union Learning Representatives (ULRs) The success of the Connecting Learners Project depends largely on an active network of Union Learning Representatives (ULRs). ULRs are enthusiasts and advocates for lifelong learning. Unlike traditional trade union activists, they support staff around learning issues. 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.

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:

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

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: