ILM First Line Management course

We have places available for learners to take part in an ILM First Line Management which is starting in Oban in November. The course consists of 30 hours of classroom based learning and applications will be considered from all CalMac employees either living or working in the Highlands and Islands.
The following is the course content.

 

Solving problems and making decisions   

·     Understand how to describe a problem, its nature, scope and impact. Learn how to gather and interpret information that will let you identify possible solutions to a problem. Discover how to make a decision as to the best solution.
Consider how to plan the implementation and communication of this decision. Explore monitoring and review techniques that can be used to gauge the effectiveness of a solution.

Understand Customer Service standards and requirements  

·     Discover how to identify external, internal and potential customers, and how to identify the needs of both external and internal customers. Learn how to care for the customer and how to maintain customer care standards, as well as how to maintain effective customer relationships. Consider the rights of customers and the responsibilities of organisations towards them.

Developing yourself and others

·      Learn how to identify development needs, and how to develop self and others to achieve organisational objectives.

 

The expected objectives for learners are:

·       Gain a range of key management skills and put them into

practice in their own role

·       Build their leadership capabilities – motivate and engage

teams, manage relationships confidently

·      Develop your leadership and management skills using

their own knowledge, values and motivations.
 

This course is open to all CalMac employees either living or working in the Highlands and Islands and is also open to all employees regardless of trade union membership.

If you would like to apply to take part in this course or you require any further information on this course or any other learning opportunities please contact us using the following details.

Tel No.  07814022347

Email.   d.henderson@rmt.org.uk

CalMac Deck and Engine Trainee vacancies

Applications are invited for the positions of Deck and Engine Rating Trainee within the CalMac Ferries Limited fleet.

The successful candidate will enter into the new Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) approved Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) ratings training programme towards Deck or Engine Rating status.  The programme provides an entry level into the maritime industry from which candidates can progress if required on to Able Seafarer Deck or Able Seafarer Engine.

As a Deck Rating, you will assist with the operation and maintenance of the deck equipment and ‘fabric maintenance’ of the ship.  In addition to this you will also be part of the mooring operations team and once fully qualified as Deck Rating Grade 2.

As an Engine Rating you will work on the day to day monitoring and maintenance of the engines and equipment in the engine room, as well as maintenance activities elsewhere on the ship under direction of engineering officers.

For the full advert and details on how to apply please follow the link below.

http://www.calmac.co.uk/corporate-calmac/careers-at-calmac/deck-and-engine-ratings.htm

Full Steam Ahead for CalMac Trainee

Chris Burton joined CalMac in 2013 as an apprentice engine room rating.  He was recruited by CalMac in a joint initiative with the RMT Learning Project.  Chris said: “When I went to the interview I thought it had gone well. I was told shortly afterwards that I had been chosen as one of the ten from over 1,200 people who had applied!  When I complete my training my job will involve keeping watch in the engine room, general cleaning and maintenance of the ship and assisting the engineers. I will also achieve the Engine Watch Rating and Able Seafarer (Engine) SCTW Certificate.”

Chris during his training at South Tyneside College.

“At present I’m on-board MV Lord of the Isles, which operates out of Oban to the Western Isles. I get loads of support from all my colleagues in my training, they help me with my Task Record Book, teach me new skills, give me projects and steer me in the right direction if I need help.”
“Working at sea was and is a dream job for me, I guess what appealed to me most about a maritime apprenticeship was the job based training and good conditions in CalMac.  My family are proud of me, happy and amazed at the opportunity I have.”

Chris has just finished his second spell at South Tyneside College and now has to complete six months sea time and onboard training to complete his course.

CalMac are currently recruiting for the next intake of trainees and you can apply by following the link below.

 

http://www.calmac.co.uk/corporate-calmac/careers-at-calmac/deck-and-engine-ratings.htm 

www.learnmyway.com is provided by Tinder Foundation to give new internet users and tutors in computer centres a range of easy courses and useful resources.

Online Basics

Welcome to Online Basics! This short package of courses will help you get to grips with using computers and the internet. It covers:

• How to use a keyboard and mouse
• How to search and explore the internet
• How to keep in touch with email
• How to stay safe online
• The basics of using online public services

Online Plus

Welcome to Online Plus! This package of courses has been designed to ensure you’re confident with everything you might need to do on the internet. The Online Plus package of courses covers:

• How to complete online forms
• How to find and apply for jobs online
• Shopping online
• Using Facebook and socialising online
• Understanding public services online
• Making the most of your money, and budgeting
• Online banking
• Staying safe online

RMT ULR wins Scottish Union Learning Award



Paul being presented with his award
 by Diane Rawlinson, Principal,
Inverness College  



RMT Union Learning Rep (ULR) Paul Shaw was rewarded this week by Scottish Union Learning for his achievements as a learner at an awards dinner in Inverness to celebrate ten years of union led lifelong learning in the Highlands and Islands.  

Glasgow Shipping Branch member Paul Shaw was keen to progress from his role as a catering rating in the retail department on board CalMac ferries. Paul attended the 2009 Highlands and Islands ULR conference where he discussed his options with one of the University of the Highlands & Islands staff at the conference. This led to a two year post graduate distance learning course in Leadership & Management.



Paul (centre) with Dan Henderson, RMT Lifelong
 Learning Project Worker (left) and Brian Reynolds,
RMT Co-ordinator at CalMac



Throughout the duration of the course Paul worked two weeks on-two weeks off, mainly on the ships serving Arran and Islay.  Paul’s studies were supported by an RMT Learning bursary, which provided up to £250 annually towards the cost of his course. 

On completion of the course, Paul successfully applied for promotion to a management position in the retail operations department with CalMac, and is now the assistant to the onboard services manager on one of the newest and largest ships in the CalMac fleet.

Paul is in no doubt that without the opportunity and support given to him by trade union lifelong learning and the funding from the RMT bursary he would never have had the opportunity to progress to the position he is in now.

World Book Night 2013

World Book Night is a celebration of reading and books which sees tens of thousands of passionate volunteers gift specially chosen and printed WBN books in their communities and workplaces to share their love of reading.
Each year we recruit 20,000 volunteers to hand out 20 copies of their favourite book from our list to members of their community or workplace who don’t regularly read.  World Book Night is about giving books and encouraging reading in those who don’t regularly do so. 
To register to be a giver follow the link below and apply today, the closing date for applications is 23rd January.
 http://www.worldbooknight.org/ 

Highlands and Islands union learners take first steps on two-year study programme

Fifteen workers from Orkney to Argyll have begun a two year learning journey with an induction to begin the Certificate in Higher Education in Inverness this week. The course is the result of a partnership between Scottish Union Learning and The Open University in Scotland.

The pilot programme, which is supported by the European Social Fund, aims to give workers who have had no formal qualifications since school an opportunity to gain a higher education qualification to improve their career prospects. A key objective of the project is that the opportunity is available to workers, wherever they are located in the Highlands and Islands. Students on the Certificate of Higher Education Open course will complete four modules at SCQF Level 7, equivalent to an HNC, over two years.

This will be the first time that Scottish Union Learning has provided a course at this level and across such a wide geographical area. Participants on the course comprise six students from the Western Isles, two from Orkney, five from Inverness-shire and two from Argyll.

One of the new learners on the course, Susan Simpson, is a UNISON member from Inverness. After the second day of the course, Susan described her feelings: “I was so nervous about returning to study, but feel so much more confident.”

The course will be delivered using online technology supplemented by more traditional methods and resources to help the group support each other in their learning journey.

Sylvia O’Grady, Lifelong Learning Manager for Scottish Union Learning, said:

“Trade unions highlighted the need for a course like this in the Highlands and Islands, and have supported its development at every stage. This pilot embodies the role of unions in helping workers to improve their life chances through education.

“We are delighted to be working with The Open University to deliver the course as it has an unrivalled track record of providing accessible learning tailored to the needs of adult learners.”

Khadija Patel, Project Officer for The Open University, said:

“This pan-Highlands and Islands programme is a really exciting initiative for The Open University. We have over forty years experience of distance learning delivery which, combined with the OU’s innovative learning technology, enable us to provide extensive support for learners on the programme. We look forward to working with Scottish Union Learning on the delivery of the Certificate of Higher Education Open qualification.”