Helen Dowie Award 2009

JAMES LILLIS

Unite the Union ULR

First Glasgow

The fourth annual STUC Helen Dowie Award for Lifelong Learning recipient was James Lillis. James is a Unite Union Learning Representative at First Glasgow, and he lives in Govan.

In his role, James makes learning opportunities accessible to all employees at First Glasgow. There are a large number of Eastern European migrant workers within the bus depot, so James learned to speak Polish. This has enabled him to help the migrant workers, and these workers return the favour by studying “Glaswegian”.

James runs the workplace learning centre, where he promotes participation in lifelong learning through short story competitions and setting up various literacy and numeracy initiatives. On his own initiative, James designed, developed and runs a course that shows the hazards a driver can encounter on bus routes in Glasgow. The course also explores issues such as vehicle checks and customer care. As a result of his commitment, Polish workers beginning work with First Glasgow actively approach the union to join.

James was presented with the fourth annual award at the STUC Annual Congress in Perth in April 2009 by Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning.