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Why Learning Reps?

The idea of a 'learning representative' was first promoted by the TUC in the late 1990s. Research shows that learning reps can have a significant impact in helping to create a culture of workplace learning.

...and learning:

...can help build the union's organisation - it can encourage members to take on a role in the union. The DWP Group found that nearly half of their learning reps were new to union activity.
...benefits members. For example, hundreds of PCS members every year have been getting ICT and literacy and numeracy qualifications at our learning centre in Victoria, central London and in the workplace learning centres in the North East.
...can bring benefits to the employer, and can be used to negotiate benefits for members.

Getting Started

What do learning reps do?
A learning rep is a trained union member who promotes learning in their workplace. The role of the learning rep is to:

...inform members about learning initiatives - for example courses developed by PCS or online learning through learndirect
...advise members on where to find courses and sources of funding
...refer members to professional careers guidance where appropriate
...act as a link between members and PCS Organising & Learning Services, and advise us about the learning interests of our members
...liaise with the union branch on issues that need to be raised with management.

Local learning reps do not negotiate with management, but they link into branch structures to have access to negotiators if the need arises. They are not tutors or trainers, but maintain sources of information about local learning opportunities that they can use to help members who have queries about learning. They may also provide information on what training the employers is offering, and they might help people construct business cases to take advantage of this.

Getting nominated

If the role of learning rep sounds interesting, the first thing you need to do is to get your branch to nominate you. Application forms are available from Darell Binding, the Branch Learning Co-ordinator

Getting trained

Learning representatives have, by law, to complete an accredited training course. The PCS course lasts five days. Courses are run in PCS regions.

Typical learning rep activities
Learning reps across the UK are involved in a wide range of activities. These are some of the more typical:

...distributing questionnaires to find out colleagues' learning interests
...offering information and advice on learning opportunities - provided by the employer, Government or PCS
...starting - and maintaining - a resource base of local learning provision
...encouraging colleagues to take advantage of local learndirect facilities
...signposting colleagues to professional careers guidance or the employers HR/ training department as appropriate
...where appropriate, advising managers on staff learning interests/ take up patterns (while maintaining confidentiality)