Public and Commercial Services Union

A project was set up on 2 June, 2003 to recruit and support a network of union learning representatives across the DWP with the backing of PCS and the department.

The aim of the project is to improve access to learning opportunities that are available throughout the department and promote the educational and cultural well-being of PCS members.

Who are learning reps and what do they do?

DWP has various levels of union learning representatives (ULRs). Some of their roles and responsibilities are outlined below:

• The group learning officer is an elected member of the DWP GEC and represents union learning on the group executive committee and its relevant sub committees. They are responsible for coordinating the work of ULRs.
• Regional learning officers are responsible for recruiting and supporting union learning representatives within their region; building contacts with DWP learning and development advisers in the region to develop initiatives within the region; organising awareness and dissemination events within the region, setting up learning centres within their region; reporting to their PCS regional committee and gathering, collating and providing appropriate statistics to the project team.
• Branch learning co-ordinators are responsible for co-ordinating and providing help and assistance for office union learning representatives within their branch; providing advice and support and setting up Learndirect access points; developing learning opportunities for staff in the branch; arranging and supporting learning and training; attending information, advice and guidance briefing sessions; building contacts with learning providers within their area; reporting to their PCS branch committee; building contacts with learning providers within their area and providing appropriate statistics to the project team.
• Union learning representatives are responsible for providing information and advice about training and learning matters; participating and organising events in their office, branch or region which seek to promote learning and development; arranging and supporting learning and training; gathering, collating and providing the appropriate statistics to the project team.

A statutory right to exist

Union learning representatives have statutory rights, including reasonable paid time off work for training and to carry out their duties. There is a PCS specific five-day accredited training course for union learning representatives, or a TUC training course consisting of two five-day courses, usually held at local colleges. This course is usually either one day a week for a period of five weeks or a block week. A new Joint Learning Agreement has been agreed between PCS and DWP and this also refers to the fact that union learning representatives can take time off to undertake their duties.

The project team

To get in touch with the team please contact:
Barry Fuge
Gareth Hartley
Tel: 0113 200 5300
Email: DWPULRS@pcs.org.uk