ESOL at work

Unionlearn Conference - ESOL at work
22nd February 2010
10am- 4pm
Free to attend

Woburn House Conference Centre
20 Tavistock Square
London
WC1H 9HQ

Background

ESOL in the workplace is a key area of commitment and concern for unionlearn and trade unions.   The importance of English in promoting equality and inclusion in the workplace has been demonstrated across generations of migrants. English is key to overcoming tensions and resolving misunderstandings at work, as well as to improving health and safety awareness, understanding of employment rights, and personal and professional development.

Policy and funding for ESOL is complex and training in the workplace presents challenges for employers and providers alike.  The unionlearn ESOL project explored models of workplace provision in two regions - London and the South West.  Views were gathered from learners, employers, providers and trade unions about the effectiveness and impact of ESOL. Even though taking place during a time of economic recession and tightening of public funds, the project has found many interesting and innovative examples of successful workplace ESOL.

Aims and objectives

The purpose of this conference is to share some of the models, ideas and approaches for supporting workplace ESOL from centres involved in the project and from across the country. In particular we aim to

• look at models of set-up and support for ESOL
• explore ways of funding ESOL in the workplace
• discuss the benefits of workplace ESOL for employees and employers

Who is it for?

The conference will be of particular interest to

• ESOL teachers and managers
• Union learning coordinators and union learning representatives
• Employers
• Anyone interested in the development of ESOL at work

Participants will have the opportunity to find out about a range of models of supporting ESOL at work, to engage in discussion and debate about approaches to establishing and supporting workplace provision, and to contribute their own ideas and experience. 

Programme

10:00 - 10:30 Registration (Tea and coffee)
10:30 - 10:45 Welcome and introduction to the day
10:45 - 11:15 Plenary 1: Tom Wilson, Director of unionlearn
11:15 - 11:35 Plenary Activity
11:35 - 11:50 Refreshments
11:50 - 13:05 Workshop session 1 (3 workshops)
13:05 - 14:00 Lunch
14:00 - 15:15 Workshop session 2 (3 workshops)
15:25 - 15:45 Plenary 2: Question time panel, with Judith Swift, Union Development Manager, unionlearn and Helen Casey, Executive Director, NRDC (Tea and coffee available in main room at start of session)
15:45 - 16:05 Summing up of the day

The workshops feature different approaches, presented by unions, employers and providers, based on their practical experience of ESOL at work. 

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Workshops include:

A strategic approach to establishing and sustaining ESOL for the workplace

Joanna Lucyszyn and Joanna Morasz from GMB Southern Region Education Department present the GMB approach to ESOL and education in workplaces

A case study of a London Bus company

Tom O'Callaghan from Unite and Malcolm Seward from CHENNEL talk about their work with Metroline

ESOL at Work: Making union / employer partnerships work

Rossina Harris from Lewisham College shares experiences of setting up union / employer partnerships to support ESOL in construction, hotels and retail.

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Two more workshops are planned featuring work by UNISON and RMT.  Details to be confirmed.

NRDC are organising this event on behalf of the unionlearn ESOL project.

Places at the conference are free of charge. In order to ensure as many organisations as possible get the chance to attend we will be limiting places to 1 per organisation in the first instance. We will accept bookings from more than 1 person per organisation but the extra people will be added to a reserve list and contacted if there are enough places available.

 

BOOKING FORM