Learning Representatives - why?

Our home page describes the role of the Learning Representative.  But the big question is "why".  What is it that needs fixing?

• The numbers of workers involved in training at work are low.
• We work long hours with relatively low productivity.  Working even longer hours isn't the answer - a skilled workforce is.
• 42% of New Zealand workers do not have the basic reading, writing and maths skills that they need if they are to progress at work.
• Much training at work is not about improving opportunities for workers, but about meeting immediate company needs.
• Much training at work is not about careers, but about compliance - meeting basic operational requirements such as food safety.
• Many more workers will take up training if they see the benefits to themselves and their families.
• In countless workplaces the creativity, ingenuity and inventiveness of the workforce is not being tapped or recognised.
• Many workers have no information about what training opportunities are available.
• Many more workers will take up training if it is a group activity - "We'll do it if we can work on it together".

"We want to know not just what to do, but why."

"We want multi-skilling - not multi-tasking." 
                                                       -  Port Workers' Forum 2006

New Learning Reps pamphlet

Why would an employer support the programme?

The Learning Representatives can help their employer to:

• build positive attitudes to learning amongst workers
• improve the skills in the workforce
• better adapt to change
• unlock potential within employees so that they can take up promotion opportunities
• increase participation in workplace learning

• provide accessible advice and support in learning for workers.

                                                                                                    Employer's Handbook

Workplace Productivity

The original Learning Reps Project coincided with the release of the report of the Workplace Productivity Working group - "The Workplace Productivity Challenge".  This report emphasised the need to work 'smarter' rather than work harder.  In fact working harder isn't going to make it.  By comparison with other OECD countries we work very long hours with below average productivity.

The report identified seven drivers of productivity which together make up a constructive and practical approach to smarter way to work to improve New Zealand's productivity levels.  Five of these drivers have workplace training at their core.  They are:

• Investing in people and skills
• Building leadership and management capability
• Creating a productive workplace culture
• Encouraging innovation and the use of technology
• Organising work

During the 80's and 90's the word "productivity" mean cost cutting and job losses for workers.  Learning Reps is part of turning that round to growth, innovation and employment security.

...more on Workplace Productivity

Tell me more...

If you are interested in having a Learning Rep at your workplace, the first step is to talk to someone from your union office.  If you are not a union member or there isn't a union in your workplace you can email the CTU direct.   Most Learning Reps are in union workplaces.  It helps if there is already an employee network in place and the programme will form part of the union's approach to worker education and development.   But the scheme is open to all work places that have the resources.