Devon County Council
Recognises UNISON Learning and Development

Nov 2004

Rose Gander, (Lifelong Learning Co-ordinator) and David Henley, Union Learning Rep display the Partnership Learning Agreement.

On Friday 19 Nov 04 at the Personnel Partnership Meeting (where UNISON staff side reps. meet with the employer and the elected members) our Partnership Learning Agreement (PLA) was signed.

This is a significant agreement which is the result of 2 years hard work between ourselves and the County Council. It establishes a facility agreement for UNISON learning Reps and Advisors to have time off with pay to have training and to help members in the workplace to access further learning and development advice. The PLA is available as a pdf file (opens in a new window).

In line with the NJC pay agreement this year it also allows for members to have access to UNISON learning reps and advisors during work time. It is a commitment by Devon County to implement it's own learning and development policy. The intention on both sides is to promote, support and develop education and training, especially in skills for life, for members who have had poor experiences of learning in their life. It is never too late to learn and if you learn with UNISON you can be assured of friendly support.

UNISON run several courses with the Workers' Educational Association (WEA) and have access to an Open College. They also run their own internal regional training programme. This includes assertiveness courses, chairing skills and many others.

If you would like to discuss training or further education for yourself then please make contact with myself or any of the Branch Learning Reps and Advisors. A list can be found on my Report - Nov 04 page.

Rose Gander
Lifelong Learning Co-ordinator
Tel. 01392 468059