About TUC Education

Each year over 65,000 trade unionists enrol in trade union education courses organised by the TUC or by its affiliated unions. Those arranged by the TUC are attended by representatives of member unions. These include:

• union reps (stewards)
• health and safety reps
• learning reps
• pension scheme trustees
• other trade union reps

TUC Education offers high quality, accredited union reps training through a network of colleges of further and higher education across the UK.

Courses are offered flexibly to suit the needs of union reps, and through the traditional ten-day release model.

The core programme consists of the 60-hour Union Reps Stage1 and Stepping up - The advanced course for unions, and Stage 1 and 2 Health and Safety representatives' courses as well as the Union Learning Reps course.

From September 2002 three new qualifications are available for Union Reps, Health & Safety Reps and Learning Reps. Reps achieving credits at OCN level 3 on Stage 2 courses will now have the opportunity to gain these new awards.

The core courses lead on to a programme of three Certificate Courses. These Certificate programmes are accredited as access courses into higher education and are offered as evening classes, day release or online:

The Certificate in Contemporary Trade Unionism

The Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health

The Certificate in Employment Law

There are a range of learning pathways established into University degree courses and to the Technician Safety Practitioner grade of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).

In addition, the TUC offers short courses covering a range of trade union issues including employment law, health and safety, equality and pensions.

TUC Education is increasing access to its programmes by finding innovative and flexible ways of delivering training to union representatives. This includes online learning through TUC Education Online.

TUC Education Online

The prospect of delivering training to a generation of reps and potential reps unable to access classroom provision and to offer supplementary training to experienced union reps is fast becoming a reality. Since the first pilot courses in 2000 approximately 1,000 learners have participated in union and TUC online programmes. TUC learners can now work wholly or partly online to access the same accredited courses available in the classroom, and can do so from home, from work or from learning centres. Online versions of most TUC courses are available as well as a number of programmes tailored for individual unions.

The use of online learning opens up the world of education to those reps who have been unable to access TUC programmes. Participants are able to conference together online, chat in real time and access the internet to research health and safety and employment issues. Developments in online learning mean that unions will need to negotiate time off for their representatives and members to complete courses even though the course work may be carried out on a personal computer at home or in a learning centre.

TUC Education continues to use trade union education practitioners as curriculum developers to ensure continuity of approach with classroom methods and maintain the quality and credibility of the programme. Tutors undertake the Learning to Teach Online (LeTTOL) course run by The Sheffield College and the TUC Education Online Planning workshop. TUC Education Online provides courses via TUC Learnonline, an innovative managed learning environment, custom made for adult learning.

Aiming for success

The TUC programme aims include:

improving the performance of union reps at the workplace and in the union

promoting an understanding of trade union priorities, including equal opportunities

developing personal/study skills and generally improving the confidence of all those who take part

enabling recognition of achievement in learning through accreditation

enhancing the status of union reps through recognition of learning

contributing to lifelong learning

Education for everyone

TUC Education attracts a huge range of learners, and significant numbers of traditional 'non-participants'. For many it is their first formal learning opportunity since school - for some it builds on university level achievements.

A recent survey (Learning that Works: Accrediting the TUC Programme, a report by Elaine Capizzi) found that:

women make up over a third of TUC course participants

there is a wide range of age groups represented, with 46% aged 40 or over and 14% aged 50 or over

7% of participants have a physical or learning disability that affects work, education or training

36% of representatives have gained no qualifications since leaving school

For the fifth of participants with no qualifications, the achievement of National Open College Network credits on TUC courses will be their first nationally recognised certificate in education or training

7% of TUC course participants have high levels of academic qualifications (HNDs, Diplomas and Certificates, degrees and post-graduate qualifications

"The pride and pleasure representatives take in their learning and achievements in the course of 'becoming a better rep' are monuments to the committed professionalism of the TUC Education Service and tutors". Learning that Works: Accrediting the TUC Programme, a report by Elaine Capizzi

Inclusive and welcoming

The TUC is committed to equal treatment regardless of sex, race, disability, sexuality or age. The aims of the TUC programmes include equal participation by all groups, and delivering skills, knowledge and understanding to learners so they can assist all of their members.

Who runs the courses?

The TUC national course programme is delivered locally through further education colleges. The courses are set up by the TUC Regional Education Officer for that area.

You can obtain a full list of current courses from the Regional Education Officer at the appropriate TUC Regional Office or via the TUC web site http://www.tuc.org.uk/learning/

Basic skills

Attaining and improving basic skills, including literacy and numeracy, is an important aim of TUC courses, as is the development of personal/study skills. Students receive guidance to support their individual development. Within the resources of course providers other services, including specialist services, will be offered where these are appropriate for learners.

Learning materials

TUC Education develops and provides student materials for all TUC courses. These are regularly reviewed, revised and rewritten with the active involvement of practising trade union studies tutors and TUC policy experts. Evidence of learning achievement is recorded and students receive regular feedback.

TUC tutors

Everyone knows the importance of good teachers. TUC Education trains and develops its tutors on specially designed courses and further briefings are provided as new and revised materials are brought on stream. This helps keep them up-to-date with the accreditation process and relevant subjects. The essential requirement for TUC tutors is that they are experienced trade unionists who understand the role of the union rep and its problems.

TUC tutors are employed by local providing colleges, the WEA and institutions of higher and further education.

Who monitors quality?

The TUC employs its own procedures for quality assurance. These are designed to integrate with, and complement, the system of quality assurance used by TUC course providers. The purpose is to ensure that TUC courses meet the needs of course participants in the most effective way.

Work with young people

The TUC offers educational provision for young people through a pack of learning materials A Better Way To Work. The pack covers Trade Unions At Work, Equal Opportunities, Rights and Responsibilities At Work and Health and Safety. Trade union representatives can also attend the TUC Discussion Leaders Course to equip themselves with skills to be able to run sessions with young people in schools or in their own trade union. Trade union branches can also 'adopt a school' in their locality to encourage visits and exchange of information between schools and workplace.

TUC Education also produces a Tackling Racism Workbook which is suitable for 16-19 year old learners in schools and colleges which is available from TUC Publications 020 7467 1294.