Usdaw trains Sainsbury's staff

Supermarket staff at branches of Sainsbury's in south-west England are being offered training in areas such as information technology (IT), literacy and numeracy, thanks to an in-store learning partnership with shopworkers' union Usdaw.

The union is working with local colleges to run lifelong learning roadshows at Sainsbury's stores in Newton Abbot, Paignton, Torquay, Plymouth, Bristol, Taunton and Exeter, enabling workers to sample learning opportunities at a time and place that suits them.

"We are delighted with the response we are getting from staff we have already spoken to," said Usdaw lifelong learning project worker Christine Green. "The most rewarding part of this project is seeing first hand the real difference our courses make. Students who were terrified of computers are now sitting City and Guilds IT certificates"

Green praised Sainsbury's support for the scheme, showing that the company "recognises the value of a well educated, motivated workforce in increasing staff retention and boosting productivity".

Usdaw learning reps are working closely with managers at the stores to ensure the learning roadshows reach as many staff as possible.

"Lifelong learning is a scheme we're extremely proud of," said Usdaw general secretary John Hannett. "Our agreement with Sainsbury's is a perfect example of how innovative partnerships benefit both employers and our members."

Usdaw lifelong learning projects are now running in almost 30 workplaces, and have enabled hundreds of members to gain qualifications.