David Lammy, MP:
My name is David Lammy and I'm the Minister for Skills.
The fact that we have millions of people who aren't able to read to their own children; the fact that we have a much higher number of people who have problems adding up; that is a social justice issue. It hinders our economy. It means that these individuals are not able to be as productive as they could be in the jobs that they do.
Two-thirds of the 2020 workforce are working today and so it is about meeting people where they're at and also I pay tribute to the work of our unions and our Union Learning Reps, because actually the best way to be encouraged and take this step is when a mate of yours, a colleague, has done it already and gives you a nudge and says "Look I did this course and it was fantastic." and then you do it.
Elaine Sweepman:
My name is Elaine Sweepman and my job at Cityclean is Learning and Development Officer. Initially there was some resistance - a lot of barriers to learning in terms of time, but the main one I'd say was attitudes and fear. A lot of people here haven't had positive experiences of school and so they felt quite nervous.
We've overcome barriers by putting on tasters during Adult Learners' Week, trying to hook people in. In the last two and a half years we've had over one hundred and fifty people take at least one course and the real pioneers have been the guys on the literacy class. Those guys have really helped to break down the stigma and people are beginning to say "Well if he can ask for help and if he's getting some real positive benefits out of the learning then I might give it a go.
The Union Learning Reps have been brilliant in terms of spreading information by word of mouth.
Richard Warren:
My name is Richard Warren, and I am GMB Senior Rep and Senior Union Learning Rep for the council. We've already got the trust of the workforce through the things that we do for them. People come with their problems from outside of work. Through sitting down and listening to some of their social problems/family problems, you get a feeling that some of this is through lack of education or poor schooling, so they are quite willing to talk openly with us and explain their learning needs. And then steer them and guide them into what resources we can find for them.
Elaine Sweepman:
The business benefits we have seen have been massive. The guys on the learning courses - their sickness levels have just dropped significantly. We have also seen an increase in people's confidence around filling in forms and paper work, so we are not wasting time with people having to ask for help or having to cover up.
The other benefits are that people seem much more motivated at work - much happier, and our staff survey shows there has been quite a change in the culture here. People feel much more part of Cityclean, that they are actually being invested in. People are going on and applying for promotion for different jobs they said they wouldn't have done before.
Wesley Emond:
My name is Wesley Emond. I've worked for the council for twenty-five years. I'm a refuse collector. I haven't changed my job, basically because of a lack of confidence really. I've fallen into this job - it was an idea of mine to do it for a couple of weeks and now I've been here for twenty-five years [laughs], so it's been a long couple of weeks.
For the first time in twenty-five years of working in this environment, this council has invested in me as as person, so I feel that the company is actually doing something for me, the government is doing something for me. It's definitely helped me in my personal life. I feel happier.
Richard Warren
It's amazing what you see as you look at people change, just through the learning process. People are learning, enjoy learning, become part of the community, become part of the workforce, and if that hour a week is good for them then hey, let them enjoy it and let them take part.
David Lammy, MP:
The stresses of actually getting through work without being able to read and write are alleviated. The sense of confidence that people gain as a result of getting a certificate at the age of forty-five that says you can do something; expect your confidence to be lifted; expect that feeling in the pit of your stomach when you get some paper and you can't read the words on it; expect that to affect the way you communicate with the colleagues that you work with, but probably also with your children and with your own family. And for the employer, expect that employee to be more attentive; to be more committed to their company, because you invested in them, and the best way you can show your commitment to your staff is to invest in them.
Martin Vince:
I'm Martin Vince and I'm from Brighton and I'm doing English and Maths in the Learning Centre and I have been for two years. Last year I passed Entry Level 2 on adult literacy. It gave me more incentive to carry on afterwards. This January I started a maths class which I'm in the middle of now and I'm hoping to sit another exam in June.
I didn't have any confidence before. I didn't used to talk to anyone outside, but ever since I've been coming to the classes it's helped me quite a lot. All I can do is just carry on and encourage other people to try it out. It's completely transformed my life. I'm talking to people more than ever now.
Wesley Emond:
I want to learn more, I want to get on in my job, hopefully I'll climb the career ladder and I wont be a dustman for ever. You get a taste for something, you know it's like people get hooked onto running or they get hooked onto weights. Once you get a taste for learning you don't want to give that up.