Union Learning is financed via the department for Business Skills & Innovation (BIS). Successive Governments (both Labour and Tory) continue to support Union Learning because it has a proven history of helping isolated workers, such as those in rural locations, those on shift work and those with caring responsibilities, who may find accessing mainstream education difficult or impossible.

You can access learning on your own terms in a non-threatening environment with peer support (your Union Learning Rep) to enrich your life through learning. That learning can be formal, (for example, vocational learning with qualifications) or informal, such as learning for fun: learning languages for holidays; learning about computers and social media to stay connected with family and friends, family history or other personal interest courses.

Improving or learning a new skill or gaining a qualification can not only help improve your employment prospects and opportunities in an uncertain and changing job market, it can also give you a sense of achievement, build your confidence and help you achieve your aspirations, enriching both your work and home life. The continuation of learning through life has the benefits of enhancing an individual’s self-esteem, encouraging social interaction and a more active life. People who continue to access learning opportunities as they get older are more able to adapt and cope better with changes to the workplace and other changes in their lives.

Gloucestershire Amal have a long history of fully supporting Union Learning, being one of the first Branches to set up a Learning Centre (in the old Mail Centre), being progressive, and pioneering the Mobile Learning Centre model after the Mail Centre closed.

Your Branch ULR is trained to give information, advice and guidance in a confidential and professional manner to advise you on the courses and choices available to you. ULRs also hold teaching qualifications and can assist with one to one coaching sessions on subjects such as Information, Communication and Technology.

Examples of some of the courses available through your Union:

Vocational:

• Level 2 Certificate in IT User Skills (ITQ)

• Level 2 Certificate in Lean Organisational Management Techniques

• Level 2 Certificate in Equality & Diversity

• Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Team Leading

• Level 2 Certificate in the Awareness of Mental Health Problems

• Level 2 Certificate in Information, Advice or Guidance

• Level 2 Certificate in Common Health Conditions

• Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Working with Individuals with Learning Disabilities

• Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Nutrition & Health

• Level 2 Certificate in Cleaning Knowledge & Skills

• Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills

• Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Business Administration

• Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Customer Service

• Level 2 Certificate in Dementia Care

• Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Behaviour That Challenges

• Level 2 Certificate in Care & Management of Diabetes

• Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism

• Level 2 Certificate in Dyslexia & Other Specific Learning Difficulties
   

• Maths Levels 1 and 2

• English Levels 1 and 2

Informal (without a qualification):

• Languages

• Family History

• IT (Using email, Spreadsheet software, Word processing software, Database software, Presentation software)

• Creative writing

• Digital photography

• Using social media (Facebook/Twitter/Skype)

• Help getting started with computers or tablets

Plus many more

Course brochures are in your Delivery Offices (usually in canteens or other communal areas). If you can’t find yours, or can’t find a course you want, email us to see if there is something available that will suit your learning goals.

You can also access courses directly via the CWU’s own on line learning platform LeftClick    

LeftClick Plus for over 500 courses at heavily discounted prices with an additional 10% discount for CWU members including popular courses such as Cisco Routing, AAT Accounting and PRINCE 2 Project Management.