Courses for trade union reps in Wales
What is trade union education?
Wales TUC Education trains union reps to work with union members and officers to make a difference in their workplace.
Who is it for?
Wales TUC Education offer courses for all types of union reps. Whether your a workplace rep, shop steward, health and safety rep, union learning rep, green/environmental rep, equality rep or any other type of rep, you’ll find training available that will give you the skills you need as a rep to be effective in the workplace.
Whether you're considering becoming a new rep or are an experienced rep looking to update your knowledge, we have a course for you.
In 2024 we are offering specialist development programmes targeted at groups currently under-represented in the movement, including a Black Activists Development Programme and Young Activists Development Programme. These programmes are aimed at supporting members to become more active as reps. More details of these programmes will be added to this page soon, in the meantime please email wtuc@tuc.org.uk to register your interest.
Time off for training
Union reps have a right to reasonable paid time off to carry out union duties and undertake training. They also have the right to reasonable unpaid time off to undertake union activities. There are separate regulations covering union health and safety representatives, workplace representatives and Union Learning representatives (ULRs). You can find more information about rights to time off for training here.
Courses
Courses are run in partnership with our trade union studies centres at Adult Learning Wales and Coleg Gwent. Union reps attend from a wide range of industries and unions.
Accredited training
Our courses are accredited and allow reps to receive nationally recognised qualifications through the award of units on the Qualifications and Credits Framework (QCF).
Professional tutors
Everyone knows the importance of a good teacher. Our courses are delivered by professional tutors who are experienced trade union reps. They receive regular training and updates from the Wales TUC.
Fully funded training
Courses are fully funded - there are no course fees for union reps from TUC affiliated unions.
Spring Term 2024 courses for reps in Wales
|
Course title |
Provider |
Start date |
Pattern |
Contact |
|
Union Reps part 1 |
Adult Learning Wales |
11 Jan 2024 |
10 days |
|
|
Coleg Gwent |
15 Jan 2024 |
10 days |
07527 450276 |
|
|
Union Reps part 2 - (formerly Certificate in Employment Law) |
Coleg Gwent |
17 Jan 2024 |
- |
07527 450276 |
|
Adult Learning Wales |
12 Jan 2024 |
10 days |
||
|
Health & Safety reps part 1 |
Coleg Gwent |
- |
- |
07527 450276 |
|
Adult Learning Wales |
8 Jan 2024 |
10 days |
||
|
Health & Safety reps part 2 |
Coleg Gwent |
16 Jan 2024 |
10 days |
07527 450276 |
|
Adult Learning Wales |
10 Jan 2024 |
10 days |
||
|
Union learning reps part 1 |
Coleg Gwent |
25 Jan 2024 |
4 days |
07527 450276 |
|
Adult Learning Wales |
21 Feb 2024 |
4 days |
||
|
Union learning reps part 2 |
Coleg Gwent |
29 Feb 2024 |
2 days |
07527 450276 |
|
Adult Learning Wales |
- |
- |
||
| Equality & Diversity | Coleg Gwent | - | - |
07527 450276 |
| Adult Learning Wales | 17 Jan 2024 | 5 days | mair.owen@adultlearning.wales | |
| Greening our workplaces - Green Representatives Skills | Coleg Gwent | 29 Jan 2024 | 3 days |
07527 450276 |
|
Adult Learning Wales |
- |
- |
||
|
Negotiating for a Just Transition |
Adult Learning Wales |
- |
- |
|
| Coleg Gwent | 4 Mar 2024 | 3 days |
07527 450276 |
Summer Term 2024 courses for reps in Wales
|
Course title |
Provider |
Start date |
Pattern |
Contact |
|
Union Reps part 1 |
Adult Learning Wales |
11 Apr 2024 |
10 days |
|
|
Coleg Gwent |
17 Apr 2024 |
10 days |
07527 450276 |
|
|
Union Reps part 2 - (formerly Certificate in Employment Law) |
Coleg Gwent |
- |
- |
07527 450276 |
|
Adult Learning Wales |
11 Apr 2024 |
10 days |
||
|
Health & Safety reps part 1 |
Coleg Gwent |
8 Apr 2024 |
10 days |
07527 450276 |
|
Adult Learning Wales |
8 Apr 2024 |
10 days |
||
|
Health & Safety reps part 2 |
Coleg Gwent |
16 Apr 2024 |
10 days |
07527 450276 |
|
Adult Learning Wales |
9 Apr 2024 |
10 days |
||
|
Union learning reps part 1 |
Coleg Gwent |
18 Apr 2024 |
4 days |
07527 450276 |
|
Adult Learning Wales |
- |
- |
||
|
Union learning reps part 2 |
Coleg Gwent |
6 June 2024 |
2 days |
07527 450276 |
|
Adult Learning Wales |
10 Apr 2024 |
2 days |
||
| Grievance & Disciplinary | Coleg Gwent | - | - |
07527 450276 |
| Adult Learning Wales | 15 May 2024 | 4 days | mair.owen@adultlearning.wales | |
| Greening our workplaces - Green Representatives Skills | Coleg Gwent | 22 Apr 2024 | 3 days |
07527 450276 |
|
Adult Learning Wales |
- |
- |
||
|
Negotiating for a Just Transition |
Adult Learning Wales |
- |
- |
|
| Coleg Gwent | 3 June 2024 | 3 days |
07527 450276 |
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Course content: what is covered on the different courses?
Click on the name of the course below for more information about what you'll learn.
- Union reps part 1
-
As a new union rep this course is essential. You'll find out:
- what it means to be a rep
- how to represent your members effectively and
- how to take up both collective and individual issues with your employer
You'll understand the role and responsibilities. These include working together with members and other union reps, talking to members and dealing with their problems, recruiting members and getting them involved in the union, meeting management to discuss a range of issues at work and keeping members informed.
- Union reps part 2
-
If you have completed the union reps part 1 or your union equivalent, this course will help you advance within your trade union role. The course covers:
- Leadership roles in the branch structure i.e. Chair, Secretary and Treasurer
- how trade unions make decisions and how you can shape their policies,
- How to undertake effective negotiations,
- How to organise successful campaigns.
The best protection in the workplace is effective organised trade unions however understanding what our rights are and how to make best use of them is essential to your role. You will learn about:
- Contracts of employment
- Fair or unfair dismissal
- Equality and diversity
- Industrial action
- Health & Safety reps part 1
-
As a new Health and safety rep, this course is essential. You'll find out
- what it means to be a health and safety rep
- how health and safety is organised in your workplace
- and how to deal with health and safety issues at work.
You will look at the health and safety law, safety inspections, risk assessments and preventative measures. This course will provide a thorough grounding in health and safety issues and give you the skills, knowledge and confidence to undertake your role effectively.
- Health & Safety reps part 2
-
If you have completed the health and safety part 1 or your union equivalent, this course will help you to deal with those bigger issues. The course will cover
- Effective health & safety organisation and planning,
- how and when to use it,
- negotiating a better deal for members,
- analysing risk assessments,
- health and safety training.
While we try to ensure safer workplaces for our members, we must also recognise the need for equality and diversity. Throughout the course, you will explore equality based issues such as:
- Gender and PPE
- Sexual harassment
- Hidden disabilities
- Menopause
-
Mental health awareness
-
Mental health in the workplace is increasingly important. This course covers why it is important and how reps can deal with mental health issues.
Who is this course for?
This course is for reps who want to increase their awareness of how the workplace can affect mental health and who want to improve policies for their members.
What will the course help me do?
The course will help reps to:
- Develop a better understanding of Mental Health in general.
- Develop a better understanding of work related Mental Health issues.
- Develop a better understanding of Disability Discrimination Law and how it applies to people with Mental Health issues.
- Develop through the use of case studies and role play, some practical skills for dealing with Mental Health related issues.
- Produce an action plan to work with members and employers to develop a strategy for Mental Health issues.
- Union learning reps part 1
-
If you’re a new Union Learning Rep (ULR), this course is essential. It will give you the skills and knowledge that you need to be an effective ULR. The role of a ULR is much more than simply setting up courses in your workplace. It is about working within your branch, with your employer and with providers and funder to widen access to learning and ensure equality of opportunity in your workplace. The course will teach you:
- The role of trade unions in learning and skills
- The role of the ULR Trade union approaches to workplace learning and relevant best practice models
- Key policies and programmes relevant to the adult skills system in Wales
- How to promote learning in your workplace
- How to identify learning needs
- How to work with your branch and your employer to remove barriers to learning and in-work progression
- Greening our workplaces
-
This course is aimed at both new and experienced green/environmental reps as well as other trade unionists who wish to take practical action on the climate and nature emergency in their workplace.
Course duration: 3 days of learning (1 day per week spread over 3 weeks).
Who should attend
All trade unionists who wish to take action on the climate and nature emergency in their workplace, including union officers, branch officials, reps, health and safety reps, union learning reps, equality reps.
- Negotiating for a Just Transition
-
This course will help to equip union reps, health and safety reps, green reps and branch officials with information and ideas about how to respond strategically to the challenge of giving workers a voice on the transition to a net-zero economy.
It will help union reps to develop negotiation strategies on workplace transition planning and develop an understanding of the wider impact of the transition on issues such as workplace skills, jobs and health and safety.
Course duration: 3 days of learning – 1 day per week spread over 3 consecutive weeks
Who should attend
All trade unionists who wish to take action on the climate and nature emergency in their workplace, including union officers, branch officials, reps, health and safety reps, union learning reps, equality reps.
Toolkits
The Wales TUC has produced a number of toolkits that can be used in the workplace to assist with various areas of equality, workplace learning and environmental issues. Browse and download the full range of of toolkits here.
Interactive guides
We have short bite-sized pieces of learning and longer courses. Each piece of learning is self-contained and contains a mixture of text, video and quizzes. They last between 20 and 45 minutes and can be returned to as many times as you like. Access our interactive guides
Webinars
Our webinars on specific workplace issues are a valuable training tool for reps and members. Sign-up to our upcoming events or watch our past webinars.
Networks
We have a number of active networks where you can receive regular updates on important workplace issues. They also provide ongoing opportunities to network and share experiences with other reps beyond the classroom.
Find out more about our Greener Workplaces Network and Union Learning Reps Network.
Course directory: PDF version
This PDF has a summary of the course dates - handy to pin up on notice-boards.
This booklet provides details of our latest courses. If you’re unable to find a course to suit your interests/needs or you have any queries please don’t hesitate to contact the Wales TUC education team at wtuc@tuc.org.uk.
The booklet covers:
- Course listings
- How to apply
Download course directory booklet (pdf) English | Cymraeg
