What have you done through DTUEC?

The introductory course for Union Learning Representatives

How did you find out about the course?

From my Unison Learning Co-ordinator

What role do you have in union?

I’m part of a team of four Union Learning Representatives currently working at De Montfort University in Leicester. I’m a relatively new recruit to the branch so my activities are quite limited at this moment in time. I hope to get involved in more projects over the coming months and years.

How did the ULR course help you?

The ULR course gave me the confidence to carry out my duties. It provided clear guidance of what was expected of me as a ULR and what support I could call upon from my employer and also Unison/other members.

Which aspect of the course was the most help?

Getting to meet other ULR’s! It was great to be able to share our varying experiences in the workplace and the problem solving sessions (where we worked in groups) were particularly beneficial. The enthusiasm of the class in general was inspiring!

What motivates you in the ULR role?

A desire to help people make the most of the wide range of opportunities for learning that are out there. Lifelong learning is something I passionately believe in. I’d like to help people get the same kick I get out of learning a new skill!

Which aspects are you most proud of?

The general work of the team (we’re all relatively new to the role) and how we’ve worked together to resolve any issues that have cropped up so far. The quick reads campaign we ran at DMU was very successful in terms of raising awareness and will hopefully put us in a good position recruitment wise (perhaps not initially but in the future!).

What are the rewards and benefits to you?

A sense of personal pride that along with my colleagues I’m hopefully making a real difference. It’s always good to put something back into the community and I’ve been very lucky myself re: the learning opportunities I’ve been provided with.

What next and plans for the future?

The next step really is to continue networking and raising awareness about ULR’s around campus. Once we have our shiny new office that will help us a lot as we’ll have a physical space in which to carry out learning needs interviews (which we don’t really have at the minute). I’d also like to see a greater link-up between ULR’s within the city and across the region – maybe a good practice conference highlighting the work of branch ULR’s is something we should all be thinking about.

Top tips for anyone else?

Stick to your guns and don’t be disheartened. Sometimes it takes a long while to achieve something but at the end it’ll be all the sweeter!

Anything else you would like to be known!!

Not that I can think of right now!