Dundee Woman’s Learning Success Dundee Mum Alison Malcolm became the first recipient of the Ken McKenzie Memorial Award for Union Learning. Her award was presented by Martin Keenan of the Communication workers’ Union at Dundee’s Discovery Point on 9 September 2010. SEE PHOTOS ON TAYSIDE UNION LEARNING WEBSITE Alison works at HMRC Dundee Contact Centre, where the management and the Public and Commercial Services Union co-operate to provide opportunites for learning and development. Alison asked her Union Learning Representative, Dave Rennie, in late 2008 about possible routes of study with a view to self development. She began the HNC in Early Education and Childcare course in January 2009.
Alison has now successfully completed the HNC in Early Education and Childcare and has achieved an “A” (top) grading for some of her work.
Alison is now a fully qualified Early Years Practitioner, allowing her to work in childcare with a range of private and public sector Early Education providers.
Alison said:
“I have gained in confidence, self-awareness and greatly improved communication skills as a result of this course of study. Union Learning has helped me realise my potential by providing me with a second chance to learn and obtain a professional qualification.” HMRC Deputy Contact Centre Manager, Steven Darling commented: “It is great to see such a positive outcome from the Union Learning activity at Dundee Contact Centre. I’d like to congratulate Alison on her achievement. I feel that this reinforces my belief in the need for management and union to work together whenever possible towards a win-win outcome.” The Ken McKenzie Memorial Award: Ken McKenzie was a founding member of the Tayside Learning Forum and a lifelong member of the Communication Workers Union (CWU.) Ken was active within his union, not only as a Union Learning Representative but also within his branch as chair of the Dundee Engineering Section, a position he held for several years. Ken was Assistant Secretary of the Scottish Regional Learning Committee and a highly regarded ULR and union activist. Ken’s death at such an early age robbed the trade union movement of a dedicated member who was an inspiration to all who were fortunate enough to have known him. The award was established in his memory in 2010 by his colleagues on the Tayside Learning Forum.
Nomination Process
The recipient of the award is decided annually by a panel drawn from the Tayside Learning Forum and the CWU,
The award will be presented at the September meeting of the Tayside Learning Forum, (currently due to take place on the 9th September)
The recipient(s) will be awarded a plaque along with book token.
Nomination Forms
Nomination forms must be received no later than 12:00 NOON on Friday, 13th August 2010.
When completed two copies of the application are required one electronic copy should be sent to twalker@stuc.org.uk
Then please return a signed, completed nomination form in a sealed envelope by 12:00 NOON on Friday, 13th August 2010 to: Thomas Walker Ken McKenzie Memorial Award STUC Scottish Union Learning 333 Woodlands Road Glasgow G3 6NG
