Royal College of Midwives ULR Project Success
Submitted by Unions21 on 17 December 2009 - 2:06pm.
The RCM has embarked on a project to establish a network of Union Learning Representatives (ULRs) in England. The project is being supported by funding from the Union Learning Fund (ULF).
The decision to introduce a new category of workplace representative into the RCM was not taken without a detailed analysis of the benefits and disadvantages of such a move. It first considered the introduction of ULRs into the organisation in 2005 when a number of the NHS trade unions had begun to establish ULR networks whilst others were more hesitant. The RCM needed to explore whether they had a role within what was an increasingly graduate profession with an already well established network of CPD midwives, for example. In light of this as part of the RCM’s Forging the Future Programme a project group was set up to ‘explore the establishment of a network of RCM Learning representatives at a local level across the UK.’
The project brief included a literature search, a mapping exercise of both internal and external systems and a stakeholder analysis which included RCM members and staff. As the project progressed a ‘prototyping day’ was hosted which enabled the Project Team to ‘test the design’.
The project group concluded that the objectives of the union learning agenda in promoting a learning environment in the workplace were complimentary to the RCM’s agenda of fostering a life long learning culture.
In addition, in April 2009 RCM membership was widened to include Maternity Support Workers (MSWs) whom it is envisaged will greatly benefit from increased learning opportunities within the workplace.
The establishment of a ULR network was subsequently ratified by RCM Council. A bid was then developed and submitted to Union Learning Fund (ULF) for a project entitled ‘Personal and Professional Learning in the Royal College of Midwives’. In March 2009 the RCM were informed that the bid had been successful.
The funding is conditional on a number of objectives being met. These include a network of RCM ULRs being identified and trained, an increase in the number of RCM members accessing learning opportunities, greater partnership working and increased understanding of the needs of RCM members and the maternity service.
The RCM ULR Project commenced in April 2009 and concludes in March 2011 and although it is an England only project the team is charged with exploring additional funding to set up similar networks in the other three countries.
This project presents the RCM with a great opportunity to not only become more influential in accessing learning opportunities for our members but it can now develop a network of activists who may not have wanted to take on the traditional steward or Health & Safety role but are passionate about learning and development and believe, with the support of a project team, a network of other ULRs (RCM and other NHS Unions) can make a real difference.
Jon Skewes
RCM Director of Employment Relations and Development
Bookmark/Search this post with:
Very interesting, i like
Very interesting, i like this website.
Post new comment