REAL LIVES Apprentices


BY ALAN JONES


DOING GOOD, FEELING GOOD


Unite member’s mission to help young apprentices make a real difference to others


Positive stories about groups of young people taking time out from their apprenticeship to volunteer in the community may sound like fake news.


But that’s exactly what is happening at Toyota’s car plant at Burnaston, near Derby, thanks to a programme run by the company and Unite, which is giving young workers a host of new skills, while helping local charities with their vital work.


Apprentices have helped build and refurbish playgrounds at schools for deaf and autistic children, a centre for stray dogs and one for people suffering from addiction to alcohol, drugs or gambling.


They work mainly in teams, putting their skills to good use, making a huge difference to those being helped by the charities.


Their efforts are also a great example of the unsung work Unite does at factories and offices across the country, in stark contrast to the image many have of unions, and of young people.


The Toyota scheme has been a huge success, largely thanks to the efforts of a remarkable woman called Sheila Rowley, (pictured page 35) who encouraged young apprentices to take part in the volunteering programme, mentored many of them, and made sure they knew of Unite’s involvement.


She worked for the company in its welfare and safeguarding department, but as a strong Unite member, she made sure


Toyota and the union worked together as part of developing young workers’ skills.


She retired from her job in July and will be sorely missed by apprentices, Unite officials as well as managers. But her legacy is one of helping scores of young people become better citizens, willing and able to support others, and gain an appreciation of the struggles faced by those less fortunate than they are.


“I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved,” said Sheila when uniteWORKS met her at Toyota’s Apprentice Development Centre, located within the carmaker’s prestigious academy.


“It could not happen without the partnership between Unite and Toyota, but it’s great for the apprentices too.


“It helps them learn about financing a project and problem solving – and I want them to have that feeling when you do something good.”


The apprentices help choose the charities, and often develop a rapport with them, sometimes returning in their own time to do more voluntary work.


Their hard work has included – building a barbecue area, water feature and memorial garden at the Aquarius centre in Derby, as well as interacting with those being helped to overcome addiction issues; transforming a concrete space into a painted chess floor and football pitch at the nearby Royal


32 uniteWORKS Autumn 2019


School for the Deaf; creating a sensory garden at Holbrook School, a specialist school for children and young people with autism and learning difficulties.


Unite convenor at Burnaston, Pete Tsouvallaris, said the union’s reputation has been enhanced both at Toyota and within the local community thanks to the volunteering programme – as well as being able to sign up the apprentices as union members.


“We have shown the positive side of the union, which I think has also helped with industrial relations generally,” he said. “The company trusts us to help run the programme for the good of the apprentices, the union and Toyota. Sheila is almost irreplaceable because of the way she has looked after the apprentices.


“But,” he added, “it’s also very important for Unite’s recruitment as it is helping to keep our membership strong here.”


Apprentices from other nearby companies are also trained at Toyota’s academy, and are just as committed to the volunteering programme.


Rob White, 21, a Marks & Spencer apprentice, was part of a team of nine, building fences, cutting grass and doing general maintenance at the Just for Dogs centre for stray dogs.


Arri Clark, also 21, a Pirelli apprentice, helped out at Holbrook School, which was


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