National Learning Agreement

Northern Foods’ commitment to promoting learning and development across the organisation was demonstrated with the signing in October 2006 of a groundbreaking multi union National Learning Agreement.

In partnership with the Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU), the Transport & General Workers Union (T&GWU) and the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW), Northern Foods has developed the National Learning Agreement to give employees easy access to a wide range of courses from numeracy and literacy through to languages and the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL).

The Agreement is unique in its scope, since it covers all Northern Foods sites and multiple unions. It aims to make learning and development opportunities accessible to all employees.

This is being achieved by supporting the development of a learning culture within the workplace and by building on the successful development of on site learning centres. Northern Foods has three fully operational on site learning centres with further under development.

In addition, the company will maximise the use of Government and union learning initiatives such as Skills for Life and will work with organisations such as unionlearn, the TUC’s learning and skills project, College providers and Sector Skills Councils to ensure that the Learning Agreement is a success.

The Agreement has been developed by the National Learning Committee, a group initiated by Northern Foods and consisting of key learning representatives from major trade unions. Its aim is to support and monitor lifelong learning activities, enabling employees to increase their skills and maximise their own potential.