Learning Reps Programme

The Learning Reps Programme is part of a range of initiatives to increase the participation of working people in learning at work.

Learning Reps are elected by workers in an enterprise to play a leadership role in encouraging workplace learning. They are trained in the skills that are needed for the role: to provide information on what learning is available, to make learning a group activity, to help co-workers identify their learning needs, and to work with the employer on finding solutions.

download Learning Reps Pamphlet 

Sometimes workers:

• are not aware of training opportunities that are available
• do not have a clear career path ahead of them
• do not have the reading or maths skills that are needed to advance themselves
• do not get training in communication or interpersonal skills
• do not get training in the skills that increase their value to the company

Learning Reps help find learning solutions!

For workers the Learning Reps programme is about skills, careers, opportunities and recognition.

For the company the Learning Reps programme is about growth, productivity, quality, morale and staff retention.

For both it is about management and employees working together on training opportunities, and setting up a communications system to support workers who want to get ahead and make a greater contribution at work.

The project is funded by the Tertiary Education Commission, managed by the Council of Trade Unions with the support of Business New Zealand.

A full training programme to NZQA standards is available to support Learning Reps in their new role. Reps learn about the connection between skills and productivity, what is on offer from the ITO or local providers, how to encourage workers into learning opportunities and, in particular, how to take the important first step towards qualifications.  Reps learn the fundamentals of adult education and handling literacy issues and how to promote learning as a group activity.  Of importance is the session on the personal, structural and institutional barriers to learning and ways to step over the barriers.

"We can get into learning if we all do it together"

- resolution from a seminar for railway employees.