Mansfield District CouncilCreating a District where People can Succeed

Test the Council

MDC experience

Lorraine PowneyPrincipal Learning & Development Adviser

SfL Coordinator

Mansfield District CouncilCreating a District where People can Succeed

What is Test the Council?A positive opportunity for employees in yourorganisation to: check their English and Maths skillshave a brush-up course if neededgain a national qualification in English

and/or Mathshave an enjoyable learning experience.

Mansfield District CouncilCreating a District where People can Succeed

Which works best:A leaflet?

Talking to someone who knows about what is involved and is confident to talk positively about the opportunity?

Mansfield District CouncilCreating a District where People can Succeed

Test the Council is a tried and tested campaign

Promotion with achievement built in.

A fun way to engage employees at all levels of the organisation.

Mansfield District CouncilCreating a District where People can Succeed

Organisational benefits An organisation will benefit if it can:

meet health and safety requirementsachieve an Investors in People awardbe seen as a learning organisationincrease productivityreduce errors/wastagereduce absenteeismimprove customer relations.

Mansfield District CouncilCreating a District where People can Succeed

What’s involved in Test the Council?

Devise a Project Action Plan detailing: - Initial Set-upLearner SupportPromotion & MarketingDeliveryEvaluation & Follow-up

Mansfield District CouncilCreating a District where People can Succeed

Who’s involved?

SMT and Line Managers ULRsSfL Champions ProvidersCfBT Learning & Skills AdvisersMarketing & Communications

Mansfield District CouncilCreating a District where People can Succeed

Briefing Sessions

Mansfield District CouncilCreating a District where People can Succeed

Raising Awareness Pilot Managers Forum Learning through

Experience Event Insider Bulletin Wage Slips Communication Boards Team Meetings

Mansfield District CouncilCreating a District where People can Succeed

The Campaign Ran over 4 days £250 Prize Draw to encourage participation Engaged all remote sites Used Move On Practice Tests Engaged the Dyslexia AssociationResulted in 456 employees participating 155 expressing an interest in improving their

English or Maths

Mansfield District CouncilCreating a District where People can Succeed

Mansfield District CouncilCreating a District where People can Succeed

Test the Council - In Action ROWA bus 5.30am start Midnight finish Laptops used in

site huts, parks and council vehicles

Mansfield District CouncilCreating a District where People can Succeed

Where are we now?• Achieved the GO Award in 2008• Short listed for MJ Workforce Involvement Award in

2008• Short listed for Get On Local Gvt ‘Whole Organisation

Approach’ Award in 2009• 54 Employees have achieved Literacy Level 2• 25 Employees have achieved Literacy Level 1• 24 Employees have achieved Numeracy Level 2• 10 Employees have achieved Numeracy Level 1• 10 Employees have received 1:1 Dyslexia tuition

Mansfield District CouncilCreating a District where People can Succeed

The Next Steps

• Successfully received funding from LSIS to support Embedding LLN through a Whole Organisation Approach

• Have a Union Learning Coordinator and 11 Union Learning Representatives in the Council

• Continue to develop Lifelong Learning opportunities in partnership with the Trade Unions and our Providers

Mansfield District CouncilCreating a District where People can Succeed

Mansfield District CouncilCreating a District where People can Succeed

Visual Presentation