Apprentices at Poole Borough Council are getting more out of their work and training programme through the new Apprentice Learning Network (ALN) set up by UNISON and the HR department.

Poole Local Government Branch Lifelong Learning Coordinator Pete Stratford helped launch the ALN with a lunchtime event this spring. Pete made use of a Kickstart grant from UNISON Learning and Organising Services (LAOS) - part of its Union Learning Fund project – to support the event and provide lunch. 

Three of the apprentices who attended the launch took on the work of organising future network meetings.

Pete explains:

They’re keen to set up job shadowing to get experience of working alongside other apprentices in different parts of the organisation and see what other careers are out there, so we’re taking that forward."

They invited Pete to the September meeting to talk about the learning opportunities that the employer wouldn’t necessarily provide but would be available through the union.

The Poole ALN came about following Pete’s experience as a public service manager employing apprentices. 

Pete said:

I was aware that apprentices were often isolated across a number of sites and that there was little or no opportunity for peer support and networking. Also in my role as UNISON Lifelong Learning Coordinator I was aware of the extensive and wide ranging learning offer available to UNISON members."

Pete made use of the Learning Agreement that the union has with the council. This helped them work together to set up the lunchtime event that was attended by more than 20 apprentices.

Pete said:

At the initial event we learned about the differing apprentice experiences across the organisation and some apprentices offered to meet with our HR lead and UNISON branch Young Persons lead with a view to taking forward a regular series of learning events."

Since the first meeting the core group of three apprentices have arranged three network meetings. These events have included group exercises to get to know each other, guest speakers, the sharing of information from apprentices nearing the end of their apprenticeships and the creation of a work shadowing arrangement, where apprentices can shadow other apprentices in other departments to experience a variety of workplaces.

Pete added:

The small but very enthusiastic core group have been learning and developing their organisation skills, at the same time strengthening their CVs.

They have had positive feedback from other apprentices who are enjoying meeting up, forming new friendships and having fun learning."

The apprentices who organise Poole ALN will be sharing their experiences and work with the branch at UNISON South West Region and UNISON LAOS’s apprenticeship forum in Taunton on the 7th November. 

Jon Tennison is UNISON National Learning and Development Organiser and said:

It is really good to be able to welcome these apprentices to the regional apprentice forum in Taunton and to showcase the work they have been doing.

I would also encourage other UNISON branches to get involved with supporting apprentices and make use of our Kickstart funding. If any branches are planning learning events we can help out with up to £250."

To find more about Kickstart, email kickstart@unison.co.uk for information.