The Union Learning Representative has been instrumental in raising interest in training and development, especially among the lowest skilled workers and those with literacy and numeracy needs. The POA has 136 ULRs at the moment and we are looking to increase this by another 180 within the next 12 months at establishments which currently do not have ULRs.

So that we can keep you informed about issues, information and upcoming events POA Learning will be issuing a newsletter to you every month. I hope that the newsletter will help you feel involved in the learning agenda within the POA and that you will become active within your region and with your regional POA Learning Centre.

Roy Wildgoose

POA Learning Manager

ULR Regional Networks

POA Learning currently has 11 regional learning centres and more information about them can be found on our website www.poalearning.org.uk. The learning centre managers will be contacting you shortly to invite you to a regional networking event, probably within the centre, so that you can meet ULRs from other prisons, receive information and training.

Skills for Life Advocates

The Prison Service published its Skills for Life strategy and in it they have promoted the role of Skills for Life Advocate. The POA and other unions within NOMS feel that the best people to take this agenda forward are you the ULRs.

We have advised the Prison Service that we will be advising you our ULRs not to become local advocates, but to carry on doing the work on behalf of our members locally, as independent trade union representatives. The POA will also advise our members that the best placed individuals to give them proper information and guidance for any Skills for Life needs will be their local ULR.

Skills for Life - Useful Websites:

www.rwp.excellencegateway.org.uk/readwriteplus/ - Read Write Plus - resources and skills checks

www.move-on.org.uk - Move On - mini tests and skills checks

www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise - BBC Skillswise - resources

www.skillsworkshop.org - Skills Workshop – resources

Dyslexia screening

The POA Learning website www.poalearning.org.uk has a section about Dyslexia and offers a screening tool for those people who think that they might be affected. This screening tool is free and I encourage you take a look at the section of the website and where you feel it might help your membership to use it and the follow up procedures.

Use the Quantum system to discuss ULR issues

You will find in the Quantum discussions and forums section a new area devoted to ULRs of all unions. I hope that you to visit and take part in the on-line discussion area and then use the information when networking in your POA region.