Oh to be a Unite ULR!
I was introduced to the ULR role by my
Regional Industrial Officer (RIO) Heathcliffe Pettiffer at the
beginning of last summer. I that time, not realising then what
an impact that would have on my life, and the changes which I have
seen it bring to others. It has been like stepping on to an
express train as it hurtles through the platform.
The vast majority of employees within
the Waste Water Function of South West Water have an age
of forty+, and when they joined the company much of the work was
manual. The introduction of new works and automated processes means
that the work force has constantly had to adapt to
massive changes in the work place, and while the work force
have the ability to take on the changes, there has always been a
lack of self confidence. This is particularly where Literacy,
numeracy, and IT skills are concerned. This led to a fear of change
and low moral.
To help and support members, Unite,
in partnership with South West Water developed a plan
which evolved through the summer. This was to draw manual workers
into a manual training regime with the Plant Operations NVQ, but to
include Skills for Life, and the compilation of a Learning
Portfolio. This has worked very well, and has brought the separate
classes (Cohorts) together as a team. Each helping the other to
locate evidence and information for their own portfolios. This
in turn has brought out the realisation that they know more than
they ever thought they did, and has led to better team working,
motivation and general self confidence.
For me it has been exciting to see the changes
in other people, and there is no better feeling than some one who
has completed a course rings me to ask what's next.
Unite ULR Ian Watson (South West Water -
Devon)
