PD Ports has signed a ‘Learning Agreement’ as part of a joint venture with Unite the Union, Britain and Ireland’s biggest trade union, covering its sites across the North East.

Part of a nationwide initiative established by Unite, this agreement aims to make learning and development opportunities accessible to all employees, regardless of their involvement with the union, whilst encouraging people across the business to seek support for essential functional skills.

With a workforce of more than 700 on Teesside, PD Ports is committed to ensuring the organisation offers continued learning and development opportunities for all staff, helping to build a progressive and resilient business.

Russ McCallion, PD Ports’ HR Director, commented: “This agreement will look to help those that need additional support with essential skills as well as employees wanting to expand their knowledge to help them progress further within their career, gaining qualifications, and ultimately contributing to improving the performance of the business.

“By working together with Unite, we can further support personal development and assist the learning of those people that make our business great; helping them to acquire essential skills that they need to live. We are committed to ensuring that together with Unite we can further support learning, making opportunities accessible to everyone within the business.”

Mick Simpson, Unite Learning Organiser, added: “This is just the latest example of how Unite works in partnership with companies to promote work-based lifelong learning opportunities that boost skills across the organisation both personally and professionally.

“I look forward to working with everyone to develop and sustain initiatives that will bring positive benefits, raise aspirations and realise potential.”

It is anticipated that the ‘Learning Agreement’ will be rolled out to other areas of the business at a later date.