Barclaycard and Unite Insight Project Sees Sensational
Successes
Unite the Union is working with Barclaycard at
its Stockton site in the North East of England to demonstrate what
can be achieved through working together on the lifelong learning
agenda. As part of a unionlearn-funded initiative the company and
the union have developed a strong local partnership to make the
innovative Insight project a success. The Insight project aims to
provide 
colleagues at the
Teesside site with high-quality learning advice and opportunities
benefitting both individuals and the business.
The project is delivered by a number of onsite
Union Learning Reps (ULRs), led by a full-time Union Learning
Co-ordinator and backed by a steering group made up of partners
Unite, Barclaycard and unionlearn.
A review of the well-established Insight
Project brought its many successes to light recently. Since the
Project’s inception some of its most notable achievements
include:
·
Over 700 people have received Information, Advice and Guidance
(IAG) from the Union Learning Reps on site. All of whom are
qualified or working toward qualifications in IAG delivery.
·
Insight Project Union Learning
Co-ordinator, Sean Green
- Over 170 workers have achieved at least 6
hours of learning through the Project.
- Over 100 colleagues have achieved a National
Adult Literacy qualification
- Almost 40 people have achieved a National
Adult Numeracy qualification.
- And the Insight team is not resting on its
laurels. Here are some headlines showing what has been achieved
since April 2009:
- Almost 250 people have received Information,
Advice and Guidance (IAG) from the Union Learning Reps on
site.
- Almost 50 people have achieved 6 or more
hours of learning.
- Over 50 colleagues have signed up for a
Skills for Life course, with almost 20 of them achieving a
qualification already.
In addition, the Insight team arranged a
Mental Health First Aid course in December 2009 to be delivered
onsite by local charity Middlesbrough MIND. The course was attended
by both Unite Reps and Barclaycard staff including members of the
senior management team plus Human Resources and Employee Relations.
The delegates were keen to understand how they could better support
their colleagues with mental help
issues such as stress,
anxiety and depression. Everyone who attended the course found it
useful, with one senior manager, Lisa Clarke, noticing she has
begun to use some of her new-found skills and knowledge
already.
The successes demonstrated by the Insight
Project stem from the strong desire of both Unite and Barclaycard
to invest in the people who work at the Teesside site. Craig
Buckley, Barclaycard Head of Customer Service (Onshore) had this to
say about the Project: “I have been impressed with the services
provided by the Insight centre, particularly at the wide range of
support being offered and also the great feedback from colleagues
who have participated.”
Delegates on the Mental Health First Aid course
Unite’s Union Learning Reps are key to this, working
with the business locally at every level to deliver for the people
of Barclaycard Teesside. Sarah Mitchell, Unite Regional Learning
Organiser recognised this hard work and the commitment from the
business, saying, “Barclaycard in Stockton are showing that,
despite the economic climate, Union Learning Reps can help smart
businesses invest in their people. Unite’s ULRs at Stockton have
stepped up and shown their ability to deliver for individuals and
the business.”
