Leeds University are lucky to have a Unite
activist. It must be true; the Director of HR, Matthew Knight says
so.
We were all at a celebration in the
University's Logik centre in July, not only was it the centre’s
5th birthday; itself an excellent reason to celebrate;
but also to recognise that in the recent Queen’s Birthday honours
list, the centre’s manager, Jo Westerman was awarded an MBE for
services to higher education.
In a short but heartfelt speech, Matthew paid
glowing tribute to Jo, to her drive, energy and vision. As well as
working for the University Jo was and is an active member of Unite
the Union. As part of her work with Unite, Jo helped set up
learning centres in companies around the Yorkshire and Humberside
region. She told me it seemed silly not to try and offer the
benefits a learning centre brings to her own employer.
Jo approached the Vice Chancellor back in
2004. They discussed the benefits to the staff and the University,
and Jo was given the go-ahead. She convinced the University that
providing such learning opportunities will further its strategic
goals of building a skilled workforce and supporting personal
development.
Originally the funding came from the Union
Learning Fund, matched by the Leeds University. From this small
acorn a sturdy oak has grown. Well over 1,000 university
staff have participated in free and low-cost courses at the LOGIK
Centre since September 2005. The aim of the Logik centre was to
re-introduce Leeds University staff to learning and training. Not
job training, but training that the staff felt they needed at no or
low cost.
It really is a win-win situation for all
concerned. The staff win by updating old skills and learning new
ones, whether it be a language, a musical instrument or maths. They
discover that learning for adults is very different to school and
is fun. The university wins by gaining a more skilled and flexible
workforce, more open to change and learning new workplace skills.
Unite wins by showing how through people working together the union
directly benefits its members in new and innovative ways.
The Logik centre has become an integral part of Leeds
University and is now fully funded by them. It benefits Leeds
University not least in terms of putting the mission statement of
'Valuing staff and treating staff with Dignity' in to practical
action, but also in growing the skills the university needs.
If you want to read more about the centre and
hear what the people who use it and work in it say, click here.
For more about Jo and her MBE click here.
If you want more information about the Logik
centre then you can contact Jo on 0113 3437785 or e-mail LogikCentre@leeds.ac.uk
