Vicky Nelson, 57, from Camberwell, is the union learning
representative for Tesco Metro stores in London. Having worked for Tesco
in a number of different positions, she found out about the opportunity
to get involved in learndirect e-learning, and jumped
at the chance to take courses herself, as well as encouraging her
colleagues to do the same. Since she started in her new role, Vicky has
worked tirelessly to identify suitable learning opportunities for
employees at Tesco, and was recently recognised for her efforts at the
learndirect Achievement Awards.
Vicky said:
"I had been working for Tesco for 11 years in various roles, including as a wages clerk working in a cash office and as a shop steward. Whilst working at the store in Ladbroke Grove, I got talking to a union learning representative, and he asked me whether I was interested in becoming a rep myself. I didn't know everything that it involved to begin with, but once he explained more about the courses offered through learndirect, I was really excited."
Due to the range of shift patterns worked across Tesco's London stores, some of the conventional courses in Skills for Life and IT were not flexible enough to suit the employees' schedules. learndirect was the clear solution to this problem, offering flexible e-learning that could fit around diverse working patterns.
Vicky continued:
"We wanted to offer adult certificates in adult literacy and numeracy, and right from the start I was keen on taking the learndirect courses myself, both for my own professional development and to improve my understanding of what the learners would experience themselves. I found the learning to be incredibly flexible and easy to manage, and I've already achieved Level 2 certificates in maths and English. Personally, I wouldn't have gone to college and sat through a classroom-style lesson but I'm happy to learn in my own time, and that's what is so appealing about learndirect. E-learning means you can take courses at a pace that suits you.
"I really enjoy being a union learning representative and it's very rewarding to see people learn something new with learndirect. For many individuals doing IT qualifications for example, it can often be the first time that they've ever used a computer!"
Vicky is now in charge of running the learning centre at the Tesco store where she works, and has plans to get even more employees involved in learning opportunities in the near future, enabling Tesco staff from all over London to gain qualifications with learndirect.
In July 2009, Vicky won the Unionlearn Award at the London region learndirect Achievement Awards. The award recognises Union members who have taken a learndirect course to develop their career, or those who have encouraged others to take a learndirect course.
On winning the award, Vicky said:
"I left school at an early age with no qualifications. I thought I was incapable of learning, but much later I found out that I had epilepsy as a child and the medication I was taking affected my learning. Successfully undertaking a learndirect course myself is an achievement I would never have thought possible at school or college. I've been on quite a journey!"