Testimonials

Cityclean and Cityparks, Brighton and Hove Council

Here at Cityclean and Cityparks we have two on-site learning resource centres (LRCs). This removes some of the barriers adult learners can face; the fear of going to college and learning with people they do not know. Staff can learn with colleagues and we give paid release for our literacy courses, which removes barriers of time and cost.

We run the learning centres in partnership with the GMB union and this has helped to improve industrial relations at work as well as learning opportunities. The active team of union learning reps work closely with the Council's learning and development officer to run the projects and meet learner and organisational needs.

Learning at work means we have a happier and more skilled workforce. Hard business benefits include massive reduction on sickness, improved form filling and customer service, and more staff applying for promotion. Softer benefits include happier and more motivated staff.

We got involved in Adult Learners' Week because we knew we had a great project running, and wanted to nominate staff for awards to boost their confidence even more. We nominate staff for awards, and run events during the week. Adult Learners' Week really pushes the learning agenda and gets new people involved with learning. We ask our own staff to run taster sessions to do with their own hobbies or skills, which have included kick boxing, head massage, line dancing and drumming.

Winning the awards has been marvellous on so many levels. For the staff themselves, it has given them such an immense boost and sense of pride. For the organisation it has meant we have got loads of local and national coverage - radio and TV - and it is much harder for decision makers to make cuts in learning when everyone is raving about how great it is!