Who can benefit from Skills for Life training?
According to a government report more than seven million (23%) adults in the UK have difficulties with maths or reading, writing, understanding and speaking English. If you think about it though, most of us could benefit from brushing up these skills either because our skills are rusty through lack of use, the introduction of new technology or because we did not get on at school. So far hundreds of members have benefited from training from all grades including management.

Who does the training?
Rail Union Learning has developed a number of partnerships with colleges across the country, which have qualified and experienced Skills for Life tutors. Many of our Skills for Life tutors are coming into our workplaces to deliver courses.

Why is Skills for Life an important issue for the Rail Unions
• Our members need good Skills for Life, in order to get the job they want, do their job confidently and have good job prospects.
• We want fair and happy workplaces where all our members have the opportunity to improve their skills and fulfil their potential.

What our Rail Union Learning Reps say:
“I enrolled on a Skills for Life course and this shocked a lot of people, as they thought I was too clever. I told them that doing Skills for Life training has nothing to do with how clever you are, it is about helping yourself” Graham Fields, RULR

What our Skills for Life learners say:
“When my daughter asks me for help with her homework, I tell her I am busy and to ask her mum”

“For years I have always said that I do not want a new job, because I was ashamed of my writing”

“It is great being able to work out my commission. I am pleased to say the company are honest”

“If it was not for the Skills for Life programme, I would have failed my assessment again”

“Since I have brushed up my maths, I have realised how often I get short changed”

Some of the reasons why our members are improving their Skills for Life
• To get a better paid job
• To help their kids with their homework
• To be more confident with filling out forms and writing reports
• To feel better about themselves.

FAQ
How do find out what is happening in my area?
Contact your Rail Union Learning Rep or get in touch with the RUL team. Contact details can be found under the Contacts section of this website.

What's That?
Kickstart aims to equip all rail union members with the skills they need to get promoted or get the job they want. If you want to improve your interview skills, write better job applications or want to improve your skills and knowledge, in order to pass a company assessment then contact the RUL team for an information pack.

Model of Best Practice
Mark Walker is a Skills for Life tutor at Stephenson College. Mark has been working with East Midlands Trains staff delivering literacy and numeracy courses. Mark has been asked by Niace to put down on paper how the partnership works at East Midland Trains. So, here it is:

Please download your file here