James Croppers Plc, Burneside Paper Mill,
Kendal, Cumbria - LAW 2011
In celebration of Adult Learner’s week this
year, lead Learning Rep Julia Harrison organised this years’ event
around the theme of ‘Lifestyles’. Other years have embraced,
‘healthy eating’, ‘local sports’, and’ local history’ highlighting
the history of the paper mill, and the people who have worked in it
over the years. A sense of pride of its’ employees has been echoed
each year, and a genuine feeling of affection for Croppers shines
through at this event every year, which uniquely places it as
great place to be part of.
The day was attended as always by their Chief
Executive Alun Lewis, who presented certificates to those employees
who had achieved qualifications from IT beginners to advanced
levels in Excel, ITQ Level 1 and NVQ Level 1&2 in
Numeracy. Alun Lewis spoke about how the event reflected the
company values, and the real commitment from the company to their
employees, as both continue to see the benefits of training and
development. 
He told of how since the introduction of
learning reps back in 2005, the company has invested more money on
training and development than ever before, putting learners
through their ITQ, English and Maths. He finished by saying that in
his view, all companies should be adopting this approach to
building a fully inclusive learning culture.
Learning reps Julia Harrison and Malcolm
Reekie who drive the learning initiative, organised the day,
supported by newly elected ULR Geoff Coleman.
The day ran smoothly and in high
spirits, with stalls set up by Kendal College, who had trainees
manicuring nails, and their IT tutor who teaches Croppers staff.
Lancaster & Morecambe College attended to promote
Apprenticeship opportunities , and the Brewery Arts Centre
promoted a variety of leisure courses, as did Dallam College who
where available to talk to. A member of the gaming retail business
‘Game’ had a Xbox station set up for everyone to have a go at the
latest games, and the latest dance craze, “Zumba “ took over in a
separate room ,running taster sessions throughout the day.
Alongside all of this, where digital 
photographs being
screened across the wall displaying the photographic talent of
employees who had entered their pictures in to a competition. The
winner can expect to have their photo blown up and put onto a
canvas or converted onto a digital board free of charge by the
business. In addition to this, everyone who attended the
event was entered in a raffle (on completion of a quick learning
survey!) to win a digital camera also courtesy of the business.
76 Learning Surveys were completed and
returned. Julia will be using the results of the day to continue to
deliver a workplace project, during which she uses two days a week
to organise courses, signpost learners and work in conjunction with
her employer to grow the portfolio of learning activity for her
members.
Helen Knowles - Unite RLO
