Home > Resources > Lifelong learning home page > Learning & Skills Case studies > Case Studies 2010 > Pearsons, Rugby - Nov 2010

I recently did an interview with Jason Little (Operations Manager) and Karen Stewart ( Mother of the Chapel/Union Learning Representative)at Pearsons Shared Services about the learning activities taking place at the company and the partnership that has formulated  between the company and Unite to make this initiative work

 

Pearsons Shared Service (PSS) is part of the Pearson global group, the function of PSS is to take away all of the back office function of both Penguin UK and Pearson Education, parts of the group. It has been in existence since 2003. Back office functions include, IT, distribution, customer services, accounts payable etc.

Main customers are Amazon, W.H. Smiths and Waterstones, all of which we are 'best in class' in terms of service and reputation. PSS employ approx' 800 staff in the UK, Pearson is a global employer with over 36'000 staff.

Ian Bayford

Unite the Union; Learning Organiser

 

Here is their story!

Karen Stewart

• IB - Have you or the Unite Union Learning Reps (ULRs) had any involvement or given any support to the training?

 

• KS - All 10 ULRs have undertaken the training in Performing Manufacturing Operations and we have all openly encouraged others to do the same.

 

• IB - If so did you find that the training was useful to you?

 

• KS - I found the training very useful especially as it incorporated Literacy and Numeracy into the programme.

 

• IB - Have you noticed any changes in attitude towards learning by the employees since the training took place?

 

• KS - Yes I have. People seem a lot more confident and seem more willing to get involved. There is a general 'feel good' factor about the place.

 

• IB - Have the employees gained more confidence and shown more willingness to get involved with the company?

 

• KS - People are now coming up with new ideas and new ways of working this has definitely boosted the morale of the people here.

 

• IB - Has the company's perception of the union changed and do they see them in a more positive and supportive light?

 

• KS - Yes it has. The company has worked with myself and the reps and asked for our opinions and support. I feel like we have more of an input than ever before .

 

• IB - Have the company got you more involved in supporting the training and motivating the employees?

 

• KS - Yes the company, like me, sees the value in the training and we have worked closely together to develop this.

 

“I had very limited knowledge on Key Skills so I found this course

very helpful in building my confidence...... The Maths part of the key skills actually made me realise that I am better than I thought. I feel I can now apply my knowledge gained of people management.”

Billy October 2010

Questions for Jason Little

• IB - Have you noticed a change in people’s attitudes towards the company since people started taking up training?

 

• JL - If I'm totally honest, then the general attitude was already quite positive; but by showing that we, as a business, are willing to invest time and money into staff development, and more importantly, recognise this fact, has changed the overall perception for the better.

 

• IB - Are staff more willing to get involved and have they gained in confidence or come forward with ideas to support the company and their colleagues?

 

• JL - There has been a change in the use of working parties. Staff are now willing to come forward with ideas/solutions to improve the 'every day' operations. This has lead to a sense of ownership within the teams.

 

• IB - What courses are currently taking place and how many people are taking part or have completed them?

 

• JL - At present we are running three courses, Warehouse & Distribution (W&DT), Customer Service (CS) and Team Leadership (TL). To date we have the following numbers who have passed -  112 and 47  currently on programs .

 

• IB - Would taking up further training become an option?

 

• JL - As a business we would always look openly at training options for our staff,  this can only lead to a more focussed, skilled and intent workforce.  

 

• IB - Has anyone improved their position or been promoted since they took on the training?

 

• JL - The problem we have on site is that we are limited in terms of promotion due to the fact that Pearson only has one Distribution Centre in the UK; however staff wishing to stay within the business and progress have all taken NVQs as a way of aiding their personal and career development.

 

• IB - Have you found the Unite ULRs to be supportive or even integral in supporting and encouraging people into the training programme?

 

• JL - We have a strong working relationship with Unite and as a business we have received support both on promoting the training and in participation on several NVQ qualifications, this helps to spread the word and in some cases eases the fear of an 'exam'!

 

“The team Leader course was good and the assessor was very supportive. This has boosted my confidence which has helped if I were to apply for a team leader role in the company.”

Emma