Steve Fay - Winner of the unionlearn learndirect London 2010 Achievement Award
It is the fire fighters at Stratford who are on stand by for the Olympic site and will be on duty during the 2012 Games. Steve Fay works there and, as a union learning rep for the Fire Brigades Union, has been encouraging his fellow members and colleagues to make use of the CTU Learning Centre. Eight members on Steve’s watch at Stratford fire station are taking the European Computer Drivers Licence which is delivered by the centre online, which allows the learners to work at their own pace, either at home or in the centre, depending on their shift. He has also organised a Polish-themed event during Adult Learners Week, in May, with Polish food and language tasters, for fire fighters from all the local fire stations. Steve is winner of the unionlearn learndirect London 2010 Achievement Award and is now on his way to the national final. He has recently completed his ECDL Level 1 and is awaiting his assessment before moving on to Level 2. Since his computer training began, he feels he has been able to use his time more efficiently and has learnt various new computer skills. “In these uncertain times and in order to compete you need to increase your employability and this is a good way to enhance your CV,” he said. The fire brigade management has been fully supportive of Steve’s work as a ULR and has agreed to let him have paid time off to carry out his ULR duties. Steve said: “Often members are hesitant about embarking on a course and all the additional work that may go along with that, so it can be a big learning curve. Having said that, the learning centre is right on our doorstep,
which makes it an ideal location for staff to begin engaging with learning. Centre staff members are very proactive and enthusiastic about learning and the opportunities available.”
