Learners Awards Ceremony

An awards presentation ceremony came up on the 10th December at 6.30pm at Lewisham College – Deptford campus. It was also used to mark 10 years of excellent partnership with the TUC.

The occasion was also used to appreciate the hard work of Rossina Harris, head of TUC studies at Lewisham College, of 10 years of active union learning with the college and the hope of taking education and learning to the ‘grass roots’. There were also speeches from Liz Smith OBE (Direct of Unionlearn) and Billy Hayes (General Secretary of the CWU)

The awards ceremony was carried out by Billy Hayes, Rossina Harris and Liz Smith to the participants from the following studies –Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, Certificate in Employment Law, Union Learning Representatives Certificate, and lastly Certificate of Special Achievement for contributions to workplace learning.

At the end of the presentation there was plenty to eat and drink!

B. Adejumo
ULR, Charing Cross

Red Star Centre Learners in the news!

Staff at Southeastern are becoming multi-lingual, thanks to a new learning initiative.

Three have gained National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level one certificates after completing courses in conversational Spanish at the Red Star Learning Centre, Chatham.

The trio are Karl Rogers, from the Kent Integrated Control Centre; Aleksandra Karon from Chatham railway station, and Paul Mann, from London Victoria, all of whom gained distinctions.

The course was designed and delivered by another Southeastern employee, Juan Serano, a Gillingham-based train conductor.

Employees have been given access to lifelong learning courses at the Chatham centre for nearly a year, and modern languages have proved to be the most popular subjects.

Kent Messenger, Nov 16

More virtuality.. This time, a 'virtual theft'!

'Virtual theft' leads to arrest

Habbo Hotel users create a character and can buy furniture

A Dutch teenager has been arrested for allegedly stealing virtual furniture from "rooms" in Habbo Hotel, a 3D social networking website. The 17-year-old is accused of stealing 4,000 euros (£2,840) worth of virtual furniture, bought with real money.

Five 15-year-olds have also been questioned by police, who were contacted by the website's owners.

The six teenagers are suspected of moving the stolen furniture into their own Habbo rooms.

Read more at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7094764.stm

limping wheezing blog

It's been a few months now, and we at the learning centre had hoped to see a lot more copy posted on here. If you read please comment, and if you have any ideas please let us know. It doesn't have to be solely about edukashun - anything interesting will do! We just want to get you used to using a blog - and remember, Mike will be buying at the Christmas do for all our bloggers!

More on squirrels!

Following on from recent reflections, you should know that the squirrel issue is growing! The following is culled (Excuse the pun!) from todays sunday torygraph:
Humans versus squirrels is the latest form of suburban warfare. Foxes are yesterday's foe. The UK's squirrel population has risen to more than three million in the past two years, according to conservationists' estimates.
They attribute the rise to "perfect weather" that has produced an abundance of squirrel food including berries, nuts, acorns, seeds and fungi. "Squirrels are eating well and that helps them to breed almost all year round, producing up to five kits per litter," says a spokesman for the Northumberland Wildlife Trust
“Another neighbour has set tongues wagging after being spotted carrying squirrels in a cage into his car. "It's a bit worrying," says Paul. "Because he runs a gastropub down the road and people wonder if he's serving them up for dinner”
Robin Page, the chairman of the Countryside Restoration Trust, says the solution is simple: a nationwide cull and squirrel on our dinner plates. Celebrity chefs should develop "squirrel casserole, baked squirrel, smoked squirrel and squirrel paté", he says. "Earlier in the year, I was given an absolutely delicious squirrel burger."
One restaurateur in Cumbria agrees. Andy Lemm, the manager of The Famous Wild Boar Hotel, at Crook, serves squirrel canapés, from animals caught in the hotel's 72 acres of woodland. "Our diners seem to enjoy the squirrel pancakes," he said. "They taste rather nice, a bit like rabbit."

The power of virtual reality

Some of us had a discussion recently about Second Life - the virtual reality, and how it could be used to support training and trade unionism. I mentioned the action being taken by IBM workers at the time so I thought you may like to know the outcome which is below.
(So does anyone fancy creating a virtual learning rep?)
Following the historical protest against IBM Italy in Second Life, on 27th September, some important developments have taken place:
Mr Andrea Pontremoli, IBM Italy’s CEO (who personally received all of your petitions by email) has resigned.It seems our Virtual action had an impact on his role at IBM. IBM Corporation made a complaint to IBM Italy for the way they’ve managed the negotiations with the thousands of employees and how they’ve let it lead to such a harmful image for the company.
The works council hopes to return to the negotiations' table: we'll hear more at the beginning of next week.A big thank you goes to all people who supported IBM Italy workers in their struggle over the last 6 weeks. From protesters who came to Second Life and joined the action, to the petitioners who wrote letters to IBM Europe management, to those who took the time to give their ideas on how to proceed when there were no visible results to our protest and to the press who covered the event in more than 30 countries which helped put pressure on IBM as well.

Blogging the night away

Well what a fun day (last Thursday) we contacted all the reps and have started to get a trickle of replies back, the next Forum is now being planned and also christmas ah yes we all know what that means. So come on down Thursday its the last of the Spanish lessons with Juan, by the way please reply to your emails you lovely people as we are trying to get figures together also BLOG its the only way to live Bye Bye

Organising through education

I wrote this for the forthcoming recruitment week - comments please!
The trade union movement has always relied heavily on education as a means of empowering its members and thereby strengthening the movement. Rail Union Learning (RUL) is no exception. Begun at the turn of this century to build on services already in place, RUL differs in that it is concerned primarily with the transport industry and is spearheaded by a network of “Learning representatives” who have been trained to offer information and guidance in the workplace, and encourage non traditional and isolated workers to take ownership of their personal development. Since its inception, RUL has helped hundreds of learners throughout the U.K. with issues ranging from basic literacy and numeracy (skills for life) through I.T. to Higher education. On a lighter side, we have helped people become adept in Indian head massage and seen whole groups learn Salsa!

In many workplaces members whose careers have stalled or stagnated have been assisted through internal assessments where often only their own fear of failure has held them back from promotion. For all these people and the ones we have not even met yet, what they see and what they get is a front line service from their Union in their workplace that adds up to enhanced value for membership. There are very few workers who, having engaged with a Union Learning rep does not join up. The R.M.T. recognises the value of this project and will be submitting a bid next year to the Union Learning Fund for continuing funding which means, as in previous years, there is also no cost to the membership – which is what I would call a “positive learning outcome”!

More French notes

Phew! at last the heats off as Hassina has been paid. She is smiling at me again! However, if we want to continue with French language classes we need to think of ways to fund it. So I am asking all of you out there, students as well as learning reps, to think about ways of making it happen. Be creative and try to think about it from another angle (I hate "outside the box" don't you?) because we need to come up with a good scam! On a lighter note, but continuing with the French theme, I went to see another french film last weekend - La Vie En Rose - which is a biopic of the life of Edith Piaf - the little sparrow. A rather sanitised version I feel, (No mention of the war years!) but a belting performance from the lead. In french with subtitles but I found some of it fairly understandable. Well worth a look.

new reps

Well done to the new reps who finished their course today at the Red Star Centre. I have great hopes for them all and some good ideas came out of the course work. I look forward to see
ing some of these develop. Make sure you get your release organised and "SET IN STONE" with your managers/roster clerks! oh, and badger your lead reps all the time! keep them busy as well - remember, next forum they are up for election!
Go get "em folks -= and good luck!

Reflections from Mike

Driving around the country lanes as I do, I have been given many reasons to question why there are so many squished squirrels in the road? Have they developed a death wish? Is this the 21st century answer to lemmings? Do they play chicken? or is there some kind of population explosion? Anyway as there are so many about - here is a recipe for you to try at home!



1 Flattened squirrel 1 Bottle of booze, home made 2 c Vegetables fresh greens White rice, cooked Find a flattened Roadkill squirrel and pick out all the little hairs. Take it to the country kitchen and cut it into one inch squares. Marinate it overnight in a bowl of some homemade booze. Then dice some veggies mix with squirrel and fry `em in a skillet. Take the homemade booze left in your bowl and tip it up, and kill it. Cook your diced veggies and your squirrel until they smell real nice. Serve `em with some collard greens upon a pile of cooked white rice.

Now that I have (I hope!) your attention, let me tell you that I am chuffed to bits at - no, not you lot, but - Tom and John and all their learners at Slade Green. I have heard from the college provider who is virtually wetting herself with glee at the response, so lets big it up for Slade Green and the I.T.Q. class !

Now for those of you taking French lessons from Hassina, and all you Francophiles out there, let me tell you of my film of the week. Currently doing the rounds is a most excellent film entitled

"Paris Je T'aime" which consists of eighteen small vignettes of supposed life in Paris. It has a number of well known faces and each section is directed by someone different. Mostly in French with some English it is subtitled, but I found a lot was fairly easy to understand. I recommend it to you all!

More on the RUL front. I have been informed that we will be bidding for further funding to continue the project for another two years from March next year which means that with a bit of luck (for me!) you won't get rid of me that easily! Anyway the people who know about this stuff tell me that we are held in high regard - so fingers crossed!

Lastly, on another brain skip; have you been out in the woods lately? This time of year the colours are amazing and the views sublime. The last couple of weekends I have had the good fortune to get out and rediscover why I love living in this part of the country. When you have the weather you can't beat it - oh and a nice Sunday lunch in a country pub afterwards! There are many leaflets and web sites that tell you the nearest BR station to walks of interest and also helpful info so you don't get lost (Like I did last week!)

New Railway Learning Centre

New railway learning centre for Central Trains staff

Staff learning and development has moved up another gear with the opening of a new centre for Central Trains’ staff at New Street station, Birmingham.

Equipped with computers and a library giving information on a wide range of courses, the centre provides excellent educational and development opportunities for train, station and administration staff alike.

The learning centre, which was officially opened by Central Trains Managing Director Stephen Banaghan on 26th September, was developed as a joint venture between the rail unions and the company.

The learning centre project was funded by the TUC’s Rail Union Learning initiative, which provides educational opportunities for members of all three rail unions, and is supported by Central Trains.

The centre, based at the ‘booking-on’ point, reflects the changing nature of jobs and the workplace in general in the UK, as the introduction of new technology and the shift from manufacturing to service industries requires employees to learn and adapt to new skills.

The creators of the centre have worked with Solihull College to develop a suite of initial courses, some of which are non-vocational, ranging from IT skills to numeracy, all aimed at encouraging staff to learn new skills for the future.

www.railwayherald.co.uk
Issue 103 – 5 October 2007

BSL IS A SIGN OF THE TIMES

Rail Union Learning

are providing an opportunity for staff and there spouses to gain a nationally recognised qualification in British Sign Language.

The level 1 course takes almost eight months to complete at Two hours a week but at the end of the course the stuidents will have gained a level 1 qualification in BSL, which can be used in the workplace and in the wider world to help communicate with over 250,000 people in the UK who use it as their 1st language.

Week 1 was last Friday with the same module being delivered in the morning and the afternoon to accommodate shift workers.

If you would like to do the BSL Level 1 course it may not be too late, we do have 2 places left but you will need to hurry to register as once you get to week three the book will be closed.

For more information email rslc-c@hotmail.co.uk or phone 07714 158754

phew!

What with "Post this and chat there and forums and web sites" it's all getting rather overwhelming! but having croaked to Caroline from stinking sick bed on Monday I was really chuffed to learn that the centre was very busy (and somehow managed to cope without me!) so I just thought I would post a couple of pix of the centre before we did it up!Anyway, as I am mostly incompetent, I would be grateful if youse guys would get on here and the new forum site as often as possible (Big brownie point to Wendy!) So thats enough for today - I look forward to your comments! Onwards and upwards!

Union Learning Reps Network Meeting

Today was the ULR Network Meeting in London, and some of our Southeastern RULR's attended amongst the many attendees.

The morning started (after coffee and biscuits) with a fascinating presentation on 'Understanding Dyslexia' by Derek Kennedy of BFAWU. It was extremely useful, and raised a lot of interesting questions from the reps. After a mid-morning break, Natasha Owusu discussed Learning at Work Day (what events were held, and how to obtain funding), before watching a presentation from the Metroline ULR about their Learning at Work event and mobile learning centre buses!

The meeting was a good opportunity to meet other reps, and I would recommend all RULR's attending later in the year when the next meeting is held. Visit www.unionlearn.org for further details.

FORUM 2 for SER RULRs CREATES A TEAM ETHOS

The Red Star Learning Centre hosted the second Rep's Forum for Southeastern RULRs on Monday 17th September.

With attendance at over 60% (some were on their hols in Spain Karl) the venue was buzzing with enthusiasm and fresh ideas on how to maximise on the success we have had so far.

Their were several threads that ran through the forum one of which was that whilst we are all prepared to put a good bit of our own time towards achieving the goals we have set. The Company whilst at higher level are extremely supportive and indeed many managers at local and middle level have really engaged with us, there are still some who are reluctant to trust their staff by releasing them to carry out the work that is required. There were several members of the company Lifelong Learning Steering Group present and they agreed to feed this back to the LLSG.

The Reps were also asked to think about a new system for electing their union Lead Learning Rep which will be discussed at Forum 3 in December 2007.

There were lots of other activities during the day including a team building excercise, a presentation from Ivor Riddell on the importance of public relations in promoting Adult Learning in the workplace and a presentation on the use of IT in supporting the role of the learning Rep by Kendal May.

Another thread that passed through the day was that whilst we were enjoying great success in some areas such as Medway this was patchy and manyb areas were feeling on the fringe, which could be disheartening to learners and Reps alike.

Mike Sargent said we would look at setting up roadshows around the company taking learning opportunities to those in the more remote locations and look at more innovative ways of delivering distance learning for those who can't access regular classes.

The day was a great success and the buffet lunch was lovely, not much left for the station staff to pick over at the end I'm afraid.

If anyone is interested in improving their key skills or signing up for one of our many courses then simply email rslc-c@hotmail.co.uk or Tel: 01634 815909

Rail Union Learning Reps Forum

We had our 2nd Rail Union Learning Reps Forum at the Red Star Centre today, and it was well attended with RULR's from across the Southeastern area. Topics discussed including electing Lead Learning Reps, fulfilling the role of a RULR, promoting teamwork, overcoming barriers to learning, using IT to promote learning, and future Learning Roadshows. Everyone was well fed up (courtesy of a fantastic buffet lunch)and went away having learned something from the forum. It was a great chance to meet other RULR's that should improve the teamwork of our reps and help drive forward our ethos of learning at work.

Mike's back!

Well, that was a holiday to remember and no mistake! It rained every day so that by the end of two weeks I felt I had webbed feet! Still, it is unusual to see the Norfolk Broads from underwater!
Back at work now (Have been for over a week actually) and the centre is kicking off! We are helping the TUC out with their courses, and we have our own Spanish starting soon, French on the go now, and BSL sign language starting shortly, so it is all looking rather busy. We are also starting to provide a service at the RMT office in Dover which was recently refurbished and is now a really nice place to hold a course. I have been out on the cross channel ferries talking to learners and discussing their learning needs, so watch this space for more news! Oh, and while I think of it - why don't you lot put more stuff on here? I haven't got all day to muck about!
Bye for now - Mike

ICT based free learning - http://alison.com/

Taken from www.unionreps.org.uk

I have just picked up this information from the UnionLearn website regarding some free ICT learning online.

I have registered and had a go at some of the packages myself and I have been highly impressed with what is available. However, don't take my word for it - register and have a go yourself...it's free!

Nikki

ALISON is a FREE learning resource of interactive multimedia and certification / standards-based learning. On ALISON, ALL learning is FREE to access for individual learners.

The mission of ALISON is to enable anyone, anywhere, to educate themselves for FREE via interactive multimedia via the Internet. Through ALISON, one of the greatest barriers to universally free education and training, that is the cost of high-quality educational materials is removed.

Metronet strike goes ahead on Monday, says RMT

August 31 2007: THE FIRST of two 72-hour strikes by more than 2,300 RMT members at failed Tube privateer Metronet is to go ahead from 18:00 on Monday after the company and its administrator failed to give the unequivocal guarantees on jobs, transfers and pensions that the union is seeking.

BBC News : Underground strikes to go ahead

The first 72-hour strike will start on Monday a series of Tube strikes linked to the collapse of a maintenance firm will go ahead, a union has confirmed.
Members of Unite, the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association are due to begin action on Monday.

They are protesting over job losses faced by Metronet staff. Transport for London (TfL) said all issues raised by the unions were being addressed.

The strikes are planned to take place on 3, 4 and 10 September.

Further talks are due to be held on Monday before the planned industrial action.

Is stealing wireless wrong?

A man has been arrested after being spotted allegedly sitting in a street with a laptop using someone else's unsecured wireless connection. Is it immoral to do this?

At the Red Star Centre we have a secured high-speed wireless network, which is free for all Southeastern rail staff to use, but what do YOU think about people 'sharing' someone elses wireless connection?

BBC are holding a discussion at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6960304.stm

Red Star Learning Centre

New Courses starting in September
There will be new French courses and Spanish taster sessions starting this autumn, also a 26-week British Sign Language course (contact Caroline on 07740 880624),

Conversational & Holiday Spanish Taster Sessions (Free)
Thursday 16th & Thursday 23rd August 2007
Starting at 17.00 until 19.00

Conversational & Holiday Spanish Sessions (6 week course)
Starting Thursday 20th September 2007 for 6 weeks
Sessions available twice a day, between 10.30-12.30 and 15.00-17.00

Conversational & Holiday French Sessions (10 week course)
Starting Wednesday 5th September 2007 for 10 weeks
Sessions available twice a day, between 10.30-12.30 and 15.00-17.00

British Sign Language Level 1 Course (26 week course)
Starting Friday 28th September 2007 for 26 weeks
Sessions available twice a day, between 10.30-12.30 and 14.00-16.00

If you would like more information or to book a place on any of the courses contact Ivor Riddell on 07714 15875 or e-mail
rslc-c@hotmail.co.uk

Note : There is a £10 deposit required for the main french/spanish language courses. This will be refunded upon completion of the course or put towards a course-related event.

The BSL Level 1 course requires a £40 deposit payable before Friday 14th September 2007.

ITQ Courses launch!
Do you have IT skills that you would like to develop or to earn a recognised qualifcation for? In partnership with Lewisham College, we will be launching ITQ's for Southeastern staff. The ITQ is similar to a NVQ course, based around everyday computer skills.

Please http://railrulers.blogspot.com for our weblog updates, or contact the Red Star Centre (rslc-c@hotmail.co.uk) for further details.

Red Star Internet Cafe
Staff (and their families) are welcome to visit the Red Star Centre most weekdays 10am ~ 3pm. We have wi-fi enabled laptops with high-speed broadband internet access for use. Check your e-mail, Browse the internet, Have a coffee, Relax, Make friends!

Location
We are located in the downside car park of Chatham Railway Station. Please ask platform staff at Chatham if you need assistance.

About us
The Red Star Centre has been opened by the rail unions, in partnership with Rail Union Learning and Southeastern, to offer staff the opportunity to learn new skills, develop existing skills and gain recognised qualifications. Courses include PC skills at all levels, British Sign Language, French Language and many others.

Contact us
rslc-c@hotmail.co.uk
01634 815909

Red Star Centre (Chatham) in partnership with
Rail Union Learning . Southeastern . TSSA . RMT . ASLEF

USB memory key free with an 85p newspaper

What's the deal?

The News Of The World, which costs 85p, is giving away free USB memory key drives worth around £3 (redeemable from WH Smith) as part of a promotion for the Bourne Ultimatum film. The USB sticks are portable memory devices you can use with a computer; and they'll also have clips from the film on them.

How can I get one?

A voucher will be printed in Sunday's (12 August) paper. To claim the drive, buy the paper for 85p, and take the voucher into your local WH Smith, where you should get a USB drive in return for it.

Anything else I should know?

The USB key is likely to have relatively small memory on it somewhere around 64mb or 128mb (no details available as yet) which would normally cost around £3 or £4 from the high street (much bigger capacity for not much more is available if you buy online - see Cheapest Online Shopping article). Though there is a chance if its a sizeable video clip, that it'll be bigger!

It will come pre-loaded with some promotional material from the new Bourne film, including video clips and interviews with the actors, as well as some empty space for your files.

If Matt Damon's heroics don't appeal, it should be possible to format the rest of the drive so you can use all of the space for your own stuff, but there is a tiny doubt on this.

More details are available at http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/bourneultimatum.shtml and http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=520402

Mike's away!

I am going to be away for a few days leave. We are taking the camper van up the East coast to see if we can find any sunshine. Normally, I would have been in the sea regularly by now, but I have not been in yet this year. Pants or what! Anyway, will take the camera and see if I can get something interesting to post when I return. In the meantime, this is a good chance for any reps or learners to get on here and share their two cents worth - you can post anonymously now - so say whatever you like! bye for now (While Mikes away the cats will play!)

Rail against privatisation

One of the most unlikely places to find people who suddenly realise that maybe they can engage with learning is at protest demonstrations! This may sound odd, as the last thing you would think anyone at a demo would be interested in is learning.Well, I have to beg to differ on this as a lot of time at demo's is spent standing around doing the old "Hurry up and wait" routine.
While this goes on, one of the popular topics of conversation is "how can we do this more effectively" and various related topics. This is very fertile ground for learning reps who are active in their Union. As reps we can promote learning, discuss methods of communications, and promote networking with other activists.(I also often get feedback on how reps perform in their workplaces!)
At the start of the trade union movement our forbears realised the value of education, and it is even more relevant today.
As usual, it made me proud to see members in their hundreds turn out to support something they believe in, but slightly daunting when faced with armed (Although I have to say quite friendly!)police, over an issue of billions of pounds of tax payer's money being ripped off, and all this in the pouring rain opposite Downing Street!
But we carry on, and the more training we can get, and the better educated we become, so the more effective we shall be at working to further the aims of our members, whether that is as trade unionists, or in their own personal development.

Lifelong learning steering group

Yesterday was held the first meeting of the Lifelong learning steering group. Rail Union Learning reps from the three unions met with senior management from Southeastern to discuss the way forward now that we have a newly signed off learning agreement. We have elected a chair person for one year and this role will be taken by Dave Bull from Ramsgate. Dave has been a learning rep for a number of years and is also an experienced branch secretary. We wish him well! A working group was also set up to look at progressing a number of initiatives and we will keep you posted as developments occur!

Do you use open-source software?

There was an interesting article in BBC News today at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6679431.stm relating to $100 laptops being produced for children learning in developing countries. These rugged, wi-fi enabled, Linux-based laptops are bringing computer-based education into the classrooms for the first time in the countries adopting the scheme, and uses free 'open-source' software such as Linux (Operating System) and Firefox (Web browser).

Do any of you out there use open-source software on your home PC's? Maybe you're reading this web page using Firefox or running Ubuntu on your PC? What do you think about the benefits for bringing cheap laptops and free software into these developing countries? Feel free to discuss in the comments section (see link below) and anyone can now leave comments on our blog!

Let us know that you're out there, and leave a comment..

LSC Train to Gain

We are now on Technorati!

Also we are on www.tigmoo.co.uk

It's in your hands..

support the postal workers

The postal workers are out from 1900hrs Thursday night for twenty four hours.They need all the support they can get against their management's dirty tricks campaign.My branch - Cinque Ports - is spporting the lads and lasses locally and will be at their picket on Friday morning at 0630 in Dover.Can we give them as much support nationally as possible, even if you just hoot your horn when you pass them!Like us on the Railway they just want to provide a decent public service

Mike is fed up!

I don't know what else to do about you lot out there. If we ask you, you want this done and that provided or this arranged and that sorted out, but when it comes to YOU actually turning up or making a commiment to your own continuing development, well it's just too much bloody trouble isn't it! After all, there are always good reasons not to take part in something that just might help you, I mean there must loads of things in the Argos catalogue you haven't bought and broken yet.Dozens of qualty DVD's you haven't fallen asleep in front of, or games levels you haven't been able to reach. Better still why not get another existence in second life and be totally bonkers - Or, why not tell us what you think - we are here nearly every day except Tuesday come and have a cuppa and a chat. I probably won't be about as I will have no doubt been locked away in a dark room by then! Even if you can't be bothered to do anything else, at least slag me off on here! or even say something nice!

RMT - Your Union, with Sue Johnston

Home PC Security

Thanks for those who visited us today and collected their Free Home PC Security CD. I had hoped to see more staff from the Medway area, but am still grateful to those who came to see us.

Don't forget that the Learning Centre is there for YOU to use - pop in, have a drink, surf the net, check your e-mails, and also find out about some of the superb courses that are taking place.

Hope to see you soon!

French taster

Here we are at the red star centre about to begin our new french language sessions. We have a nice new teacher - Hasina - who is looking forward to meeting a lot of new learners, and we have food and (soft) drinks for those brave enough to give it a try!
Lots of you have expressed an interest, but I think it requires a bit of extra effort to come to a class when you have just finished a shift! But hey! it's worth it, as you get the course for next to nothing and it is good fun! (Btter than sitting at home on the sofa!
call or e mail us or just comment and we will get back to you.Bonjour!

Internet Drop-In Sessions

What’s happening?

The Red Star Learning Centre will be open on Friday 15th June as part of our internet drop-in sessions. Although the Learning Centre is already open most weekdays for staff to use, we are producing some CD’s of free security software to help protect your home PC.

When?

We will be open on Friday 15th June from 10.00am until 3.00pm. The centre is also open most weekdays for staff to visit, use the facilities available, or to enquire about the many courses on offer.

Why?

The Learning Centre has been opened by the rail unions, in partnership with Rail Union Learning and Southeastern, to offer staff the opportunity to learn new skills, develop existing skills and gain recognised qualifications. Courses include PC skills at all levels, British Sign Language, French Language and many others.

Well here we are again - and no one has blogged lately. We survived adult learners week and got quite a number of new learners and new friends. But we don't seem t be getting many people commenting on here.So come on lets have some comments!!!

Learners Week - Thursday

Today was the busiest day so far during Learners Week, with lots going on at the Red Star centre. Eugene from Friars Bridge was signing up staff for the NVQ's (many people were surprised how easy the NVQ could be), Graham from Lewisham College gace a presentation on the new ITQ's (Information Technology Qualifications), Caroline gave Taster Sessions in British Sign Language, and the turntable was kept busy all day copying people's vinyl onto CD's. There wasn't much time to take photographs, but I've managed a few.. and don't forget that your last chance to visit us during Learners Week is TOMORROW (Friday) - don't miss out!

Thursday

Well to-day so far has been very busy, and "Monkey" has returned from his trip. I am suprised that so many union reps have turned up to find out what we were about, word must be getting out at last. We are still looking for RUL Reps so if anyone out there would like to become one contact us. We also had a few people that have signed up for NVQ's and ITQ so its looking very positive.

Karl Rogers
TSSA

Learners Week - Wednesday

Today has been another fun day at the Red Star Centre, with 21 people people making use of the facilities. Many people bought LP's to be converted onto CD, some have signed up to Basic IT Skills or British Sign Language courses, and others have just come in to see what's going on. Everyone seemed impressed, and the best is yet to come! Tomorrow we have the NVQ Roadshow, introduction of the ITQs, and also the Sign Language Taster sessions. Come along, have a drink, have fun, and meet the team!

Learners Week - Day 1

Do you have an eBay addiction?

Learners Week at the RSLC - Day 1

It's been a really good day at the Learning Centre, 16 people came through the door today, some for computers, sign language and key skills. Everyone said it was very friendly and fun to learn. We are still open from 9am - 4pm for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week, so feel free to pop in for a chat, coffee, swap books and find out what's going on. Keep the centre going - it's here for YOU to use!

Adult Learner's Week

May 21st to May 25th is adult learner's week, and the centre will be running activities all week. We are providing free refreshments throughout the week and putting on some innovative events. For instance, you can learn how to say "No ticket, no travel" in BSL sign language. You can bring in your old favorite Vinyl L.P. and have it converted to CD or MP3 format and then learn how to print the label on a lap top computer. (We expect you to do a skills for life assessment in return!)
We look forward to seeing friends and colleagues again, and meeting lots of new learners. Please do try to drop in if you are in the Medway area. We are beside Chatham Railway Station in the station car park. It should be a fun week, so try to get along! All the best,
The Red Star Team

Save money, Reclaim bank charges..

You may have heard Martin Lewis recently on Radio 2, or on TV, talking about reclaiming your Bank Charges or finding the best deals on all kinds of things - from your electricity bills to your weekly shopping!

Here's an example below, which is one of Martin's Money Mutterings.



If you want to use the Red Star Centre to visit the website (www.moneysavingexpert.com) then please pop in to see us - we have wireless laptop PC's available for use, all with wireless broadband connections!

Go on, you really should..

lately we have ....

What an interesting week! Ivor and I did the RUL conference where we took the RMT workshop on bringing learning into the Union - which was very enlightening as it brought a number of issues to light from RULR's who had travelled to conference from all over the country. Lots of nice freebies as well- flash drives T shirts - mugs - calculators - document folders -all branded with RUL colours! (We took monkey as well, but that's another story!)
I checked out the refurbishment of Dover's new RMT regional office on Tuesday which is looking very pukka and will be a delight to deliver training from, and should be open by June. Wednesday saw us out and about talking to new starters and old learners! around the patch, and Thursday and Friday we had more RULR's volunteering to man the centre, which is not only much appreciated but useful as they are better with I.T. than we are!
In the long term, we are working with Southeastern to encourage frontline colleagues into acheiving NVQ's and some of us will be training to be assessors! So busy busy and onwards and upwards! See you soon!

Unionlearn Launch Video

Let's not forget our past..

For those of us who remember Connex, here's a look at the advertising we may have seen if they were still our train operator..

RUL conference

Rail Union Learning conference takes place on Monday 16th April. Hope to see all RULers there! Should be a fantastic workshop for RMT (I'm taking it!) In the meantime RSLC will have TSSA cover on Friday 13th - spooky! with the lovely John Morris in the chair. I have it on good authority that goody bags for conference are looking very nice!

poets day

As it is a holiday weekend it seems that learning is not high on anyone's agenda and who can blame them! The sun is shining so if you can get away do so! Forget about work and have some fun! See ya next week when it's back to normal.
All the best from RSLC.

Interesting stuff in the press today. The Daily Mirror says that should Labour win in Scotland they (Scottish labour not the Mirror!)will bring the Railways back (Into public ownership) - but only in Scotland - can we have that written in stone?
In Railnews there is an article that condemns the amount of time customers have to spend queueing to buy tickets at railway stations. The facts and figures come from the "Passenger focus group" The same bunch that saw no reason to oppose cuts in hours to the very ticket offices they are concerned about. Funny old game on the railways

more bloggers

As from today there will be many and various team members adding their thoughts and madness to this blog - and welcome they are too! Anything that is loosely connected to us or the Railway is fair game and we hope to see comments from readers as well so log on and blog on!
Mikke

I think it may be of use to encourage informal learning sessions around use of I.T. media. Ie: web hosting - blogging etc. Or any other ideas around sharing knowledge. We can host at RSLC but we need ideas and bums on seats! Anythoughts?

learning on rail

Here we are at the red star learning centre in Chatham. We are a learning centre with a difference, in that we built it (Converted itand set it up with volunteers to run the place. Now it is more like a second home than a school, but we offer all kinds of further education and have a bloody good laugh while we do. I (Me - Mike) thought I should set this blog up so any one who is on "cover" for the day can add their opinions etc.
My thought for today is:-
"there are hundreds of reasons for not continuing your personal development"
And I have heard most of them!
But we try. Anyway, it's chucking it down in dear old chatham, but the trains are running so that's ok.