Tolpuddle with the RMT

Thanks to Mike Sargent for the video!

ICT courses starting September

There will be some new opportunities in September for staff wishing to reserve a place on the Basic Computer Skills courses at the Red Star Learning Centre.

These courses are ideal for staff who may be unfamiliar with computers, or those who wish to 'brush up' existing PC skills or even learn how to do new things with the PC - such as photo editing or designing a web page.

The courses are FREE and run for 10 weeks, with sessions in the morning and afternoon so that shift work need not be a barrier.

You can reserve a place by contacting Ivor Riddell

There is also the opportunity for online courses which can be completed both at the learning centre and also at home.

Please speak with Ivor Riddell or Kendal May for further details.

We look forward to seeing you!

Union Learning Conference
Wednesday 18th June 2008


Well what can I say the conference this year was one of the best myself Ivor Riddell and Mike Sergeant attended from the Red Star Learning centre but was we were disappointed by the lack of southeastern learning reps in attendance in fact besides the two Johns from Slade Green there was no one else out of approx 40 reps no one attended, this will an agenda item at the forum “The lack of Learning Reps activity”.

Anyway back to the matter in hand in attendance at the conference were:
I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the idea of the union learning came from Tony Benn’s son Hilary Benn whilst working for David Blunket when he was Education Sec and Home Sec who then championed it through the house of parliament.

Brenden Barber General Sec of the TUC

“ Employers that negotiate and consult with train unions in the work place are on record show that there was higher productivity than work places without the consultation process and it’s a win win situation”

John Denham Sec of State for Department of Innovation and Universities and Skills DIUS

“ Employers can get finical support and advise to train staff and from autumn we will be providing the opportunity of people to develop there skills even further up to the age of 25 years of age”
(Seen Web site below for further information)

http://www.dius.gov.uk/speeches/denham_unionlearn_180608.html

While all the speech were going on the conference was being broadcasted via the web to universities and collages all over the country Sheffield and Manchester to name but a few and people were e mailing questions for the speakers to answer also various trade unions were also on line asking questions to the various speakers.
It was also brought up about the larger learning centre sharing their facilities with the smaller work places and this was generally already accepted by RMT, TSSA and ASLEF already, so we are at the for-front of union education already.

We had two additional speakers:

Val McDermid the well know writer who when she was working in the print industry before taking up writing was an active trade unionist who delight the conference with here speech and provided the delegates with a free copy of her book “Union Jack” a murder mystery of a union delegate who was murdered while at a conference ( Strange book to pass out at a conference) She is also the author of “The wire in the Blood” which was televised on ITV with Robson Green as Tony Hill which was such a big success.

Which leaves us with our last speaker which was “Lenny Henry” who in 19080 took his O levels, BA in English Literature in 2000 and who is know studying for his MA all through Open university. The comedian had the conference in stitches with his speech and I wish a lot more delegates were there from South-eastern to listen to this man and the passion he has for the trade union movement and further education.

Well that’s nearly every thing except please attend at the Red Star Learning Centre at Chatham as this is your centre.

Well see you soon

Karl Rogers Lead Learner TSSA

Here comes the rain

Here's a video and song made by Karl Rogers, who is one of our Lead Learning Reps. Proof indeed that there's some talent within our group, and I know that Karl would be keen to hear from anyone who would be interested in courses about creating videos on your PC. Anyhow, enjoy the song!

LEARNING REPS FORUM FOR Southeastern ULRs

Are you a Learning Rep?
Do you feel out of the loop?
Are you going to the Reps Forum on 3rd July 2008?
Have you registered to attend?
Have you arranged your release?
Would you like to improve your performance?
Have you got an idea but need help to make it happen?

Then get yourself along to the next Southeastern Learning Repsd Forum at the
RED STAR LEARNING CENTRE

There will be an opportunity to meet the new HR Director Andrew Binden

A Buffet Lunch is provided

For more details email rslc-c@hotmail.co.uk

or Telephone 01634 815909

DON'T DELAY BOOK TODAY

Prestigious award for Lewisham College

Congratulations to Lewisham College and it's TUC Studies department for gaining the TUC Quality Award for it's work and in recognition for its achievements.

The unionlearn Quality Award is awarded to providers who are committed to working with trade unions and can demonstrate that unions and union learners are considered in the design, development and delivery of courses and programmes.

As part of their work Lewisham College provide tutor led courses at the Red Star Learning Centre for our learners so we are very proud of their achievement and look forward to working with them for the benefit of working people.

Learning Week Roadshow at Chatham

Adult Learners Week finished today with a Learning Fair at the Red Star Centre in Chatham, where the theme was "Learning? It's a piece of cake". Everyone who undertook a Skills for Life assessment or completed a Learning Needs Questionnaire were given a piece of gateau or cream cake to enjoy with their drink whilst browsing the other activities that were taking place.


We had video screens showing clips from our roadshows that had taken place earlier in the week, and a fantastic BBC RaW corner offering learners the chance to take 'Quick Read' books away with them. Our BSL signing expert was on hand to explain about learning sign language, we also demonstrated digital photography and were also visited by representatives from all three Rail Unions.


Everyone involved in Learning Week had a fantastic time and really enjoyed meeting all of the staff. We're looking forward to starting some new courses very soon, including Basic Computer Skills starting in just over 3 weeks.

See you there!