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Unionlearn aims to help unions become learning organisations, with programmes for union reps, regional officers and strategic support for national officers.
It also helps unions to broker learning opportunities for their members, running phone and online advice services, securing the best courses to meet learners' needs and kitemarking union academy provision to a quality standard.
In addition, unionlearn researches union priorities on learning and skills, identify and share good practice, promote learning agreements, support union members on learning and skills bodies, and help shape sector skills agreements.
The partnership between the OU and unionlearn was established in 2006 and since then it has helped more than 2,500 union members
The partnership between the OU and unionlearn was established in 2006 following which union members could take advantage of a 10% discount on all Level 1, 30 and 60 point courses only if they were new to the University.
Since then the 10% discount has been extended to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses which are flexible online courses aimed at developing specific career skills.
The Open University has numerous agreements with unions to promote the discount, and members of these unions are eligible to claim the 10% discount. Details of these unions can be found on our website www.open.ac.uk/cpd and following the link to professional bodies, but a comprehensive list is attached (accurate as of 11th June 2009).
There are two types of courses that the discount applies to:
1.Level 1, 30 and 60 point courses
The discount can only be claimed by students new to the OU who haven’t studied with us before and the discount can not be claimed back retrospectively.
2.CPD flexible online courses
Union learners can register multiple times for these courses (they don’t have to be new to the OU like the above option).
If a union learn rep would like to discuss how to align their union with The Open University please contact David Robinson, Business Development Manager, tel: 01908 858647, e-mail: d.t.robinson@open.ac.uk
To claim the discount on level 1, 30 and 60 point courses, firstly union members must decided what course they want to study, noting down the course code and quoting the fee code - UL (unionlearn). They must then call the Student Registration Service stating that they are calling from a union, following which they will then be asked to provide proof of membership.
The numbers to call are:
From within the UK - 0845 300 60 90
Republic of Ireland - (01) 6785399 or +44 28 9032 3722
Other EU countries & Switzerland - +44 191 477 6100
Elsewhere (including BFPO)- +44 845 366 6053
For CPD flexible online courses, students can register online via the CPD website (following the link to Professional Bodies) http://www.open.ac.uk/cpd/index.php?q=node/49 as the course links here already have the discount applied. Union learners can register multiple times for these courses (they don’t have to be new to the OU like the Level 1 courses).
The 10% discount is only available to students new to the OU (i.e. those who haven’t studied with the OU before) for a level 1, 30 or 60 point course. The discount can not be claim back retrospectively, however, if union members are looking to reduce the cost of learning there is information about financial support on http://www3.open.ac.uk/studyatou/apply/financial-support.shtml.
Alternatively we have a partnership with Tesco Clubcard where points can be used for part of full payment of courses. More information is available on http://www.open.ac.uk/cam/clubcarddeals/index.shtml?OFFDM=TES001&MEDIA=TESCO.
There is no deadline for the uptake of the discount
All level 1, 30 and 60 point courses
All CPD flexible online course except for the teaching courses
The OU and your union are working for you to widen life opportunities and offer support through learning and skills development.
Level 1 courses can variety in price. Once you have an idea of what you want to study visit the website or call Student Registration Services to talk about the prices of specific courses:
From within the UK - 0845 300 60 90
Republic of Ireland - 01) 6785399 or +44 28 9032 3722
Other EU countries & Switzerland - +44 191 477 6100
Elsewhere (including BFPO)- +44 845 366 6053
The CPD courses cost up to £450 (inc VAT and 10% discount) and will not only improve self confidence, motivation and new skills with real applicable value but you’ll also be awarded with a certificate that is recognised by businesses throughout the UK.
Union members are only entitled to do one level 1 course. However the Open University understands that the development of career skills is a vital part of career progression and therefore union members have the option to do as many CPD courses as they wish.
Our Level 1 courses are designed both for people who haven’t studied at university level before, and for people who are starting to study a new subject.
If you are worried about your ability to do a Level 1 course, or the time it will take, think about one of our Openings courses: short courses with lots of support and no exams, giving you a gentler introduction to your subject and the world of studying (UK residents only).
We also have OpenLearn which is a free resource with a wealth of study material giving you a taste of courses free of charge - www.open.ac.uk/openlearn
For more information about courses and registration please visit: www.open.ac.uk
For more information about the Open University’s relationship with the unions please visit www.open.ac.uk/union
For more information about the CPD flexible online courses please visit www.open.ac.uk/cpd and follow the link for Professional Bodies
For more information about OpenLearn please visit www.open.ac.uk/openlearn
For more information about unionlearn please visit www.unionlearn.org.uk
