n By Keith Hatch
stopped and building workers were still expected to work, and keep up to date on their skills. The Canary Wharf Learning Centre was the only test centre open south of Birmingham throughout lockdowns, providing a vital service to workers.
The centre offers a huge range of courses. Kirsty said, “We now deliver extremely popular training in NVQs, CSCS Test and ECS. Lewisham College Trade Union Studies Centre was part of the original partnership and CWLC now partners with Newham College in delivering co-funded NVQ Level 2 to help with costs.”
NVQs range from the one-day Level 1 course for a labourer’s Green CSCS Card to a Level 7 in construction management. They also offer NVQ level 2 qualifications in formwork, carpentry, steelfix, concrete, bricklaying, plastering, dry lining, painting and decorating, floor tiling and more.
A wide range of learning opportunities is important when it comes to workers on the Canary Wharf sites looking at skills development and progression.
Kirsty added, “Once someone takes a course at the centre they develop a flavour for learning it empowers them to progress. You start on a small course and build up your knowledge by getting an ‘addiction’ to learning and getting the next certificate.
“We have seen lots of learners continue to up-skill, moving onto supervisor or management positions and building a career in construction.”
One person who has made full use of the opportunities that the centre has provided over the last two and half decades is Unite convenor Trevor Simpson.
Trevor supports the CWLC as the main health and safety lead for Unite at Canary Wharf, encouraging members to take up the learning opportunities on offer.
Trevor has led by example and developed his skills through the centre, achieving Level 6 NVQs in both construction management and construction health and safety.
Trevor said, “The work Unite has been doing with the Canary Wharf Learning Centre over nearly a quarter of a century has resulted in thousands of Unite members building up their skills and employment opportunities. “Unite has been at the heart of the project since it started, negotiating with Canary Wharf Partners to find a suitable space for the nomadic existence of the centre and with various employers to give time for workers to attend training.” Trevor also pointed out that, though non-members are allowed to use the facilities at the centre, the fact that Unite is so involved means they can promote
15 unite buildingWORKER Autumn 2024
the benefits of union membership, including a discount on many of the courses. This has resulted in lots of new members and organising opportunities.
Unite’s work at the CWLC has shown how partnership working can benefit members and often has visitors to find out how it works. Kirsty said, “The partnership was very unique back in the day and still is now.”
Recently a delegation from Unite’s sister unions in the construction sector visited the learning centre.
Unite International Officer, Clare Baker, organised the visit for European union colleagues Gianni De Vlaminck, Marco Benati and Jean-Pascal François, giving them a chance to meet with tutors at the centre as well as workers attending training and discuss ideas around workplace learning.
Following the visit to the centre Unite officers Trevor Simpson and Mark Soave along with Unite EC member Stuart Grice took the delegation on a tour around various new building projects in Canary Wharf – in particular the large Wood Wharf development.
The delegation was just the latest group to discover the benefits of the learning centre, and if you want to find out more about it have a look at the website (
www.cwlc.co.uk/), or if you work at Canary Wharf contact your Unite rep.
Alamy
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32
