Aldwarke on course for learning
Hundreds of workers at Aldwarke Cast Products in Rotherham will now be able to access learning opportunities following the opening of the Minerva Learning Centre at the plant.
The learning centre contains a suite of seven computers which were provided by Communitas, the training and learning arm of Community. The renovation of the building was financed by a £10,000 prize awarded to Aldwarke Cast Products by Corus, as part of the company’s continuous improvement programme.
Commenting on how the development of the learning centre at the plant was made possible by co-operation between Corus and Community, Michael Leahy, General Secretary of the union said:
“The opening of the learning centre here at Aldwarke shows what can be achieved when employers work together with us. I hope that other employers will follow the example of Corus, and work with us, and our training and learning subsidiary Communitas, to promote and encourage lifelong learning, because it is in everyone’s interest that employees are able to develop their skills”.
The Minerva Learning Centre was officially launched on 21st May 2008 by Michael Leahy OBE, General Secretary of Community, Kees Stolwijk Managing Director of Corus Engineering Steels and Lyndon Peach, Chief Executive Officer of Communitas.
Now that the centre is officially open for business, Union Learning Representative Lee Bradshaw has conducted a survey of Aldwarke employees to find out what types of courses they would like to see the centre provide. Most employees are keen to undertake IT courses, and so Lee will be working with Communitas to ensure that their learning needs are met. Lee is also hoping to recruit more Union Learning Representatives to spread the word about learning, and encourage employees who may be nervous about getting involved to dip their toes in the water.
Bob Hudson, Branch Secretary of the Aldwarke 01 Branch said:
“It is a tribute to the hard work of Lee and our colleagues in Communitas that Aldwarke employees now have this wonderful facility to use. I hope people will get involved and get learning”.