The Learning Representatives with the Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU) have worked to create a lifelong learning culture at Sainsbury’s for the benefit of the union, company and employees. Graham Randle from the TGWU, who nominated the team for the award, said: “The Learning Representatives had to first address their own skills needs as they had returned to learning for the first time in years and they had had negative learning experiences in the past. There was a great effort needed to convince both colleagues and the company that this learning was important.”
Senior Shop Steward Andy Hall said: “At Sainsbury’s we have negotiated with senior management to get a Lifelong Learning programme in place that gives 10% of the workforce paid leave for learning.
“We intend to cover all colleagues on the site; the learning has led to us all feeling more confidant and has given us a broader outlook.”
Karan Green, Chief Executive of the National Open College Network, said that the Union Learning Representatives would give inspiration to adults everywhere. “Over the last 25 years, the Open College Network has helped transform the lives of tens of thousands of people across the UK whose skills might otherwise not have been recognised.
“Like them, the Union Learning Representatives understood that learning could lead the way to a better life and they had the strength of mind and conviction to seize the opportunities available to them.”