Courses for trade union reps in Wales
What is trade union education?
TUC Cymru Education trains union reps to work with union members and officers to make a difference in their workplace.
Who is it for?
We offer courses for all types of union reps. Whether you're 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 2025 we are offering specialist development programmes targeted at groups currently under-represented in the movement, including specialist development programmes for women activists, Black activists and young activists. These programmes are aimed at supporting members to become more active as reps.
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 'core' courses - our Stage 1 and 2 courses for Union Reps, Health and Safety Reps and Union Learning Reps are externally accredited by Agored Cymru and allow reps to receive nationally recognised qualifications through the award of units on the Qualifications and Credits Framework (QCF).
Accreditation is also available for our short courses - available options for accreditation for these courses includes TUC Cymru digital badges and Agored units of accreditation, depending on which course you do. Your tutor will be able to advise you about what is available on your course.
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 TUC Cymru.
Fully funded training
Courses are fully funded - there are no course fees for union reps from TUC affiliated unions.
- Summer term - April to July 2026
Further information about the content of each course can be found further down this page.
Standard course hours are 9 am - 4.30 pm. Where courses are marked as 'half-day' courses the hours are 9 am - 1 pm.
Course title and start date Provider & Location Full dates of course Apply by Union Learning Reps Stage 1
4 Wednesdays from 3 June 2026
Coleg Gwent
Online via Teams
03/06, 10/06,
17/06, 24/06
13/05 Apply online Union Learning Reps Stage 2
4 Wednesdays from 10 June 2026
Adult Learning Wales
Online via Teams
10/06, 17/06,
24/06, 01/07
20/05 Apply online Greening our Workplaces - green rep skills
3 Mondays from 8 June 2026
Adult Learning Wales
Online via Teams
08/06, 15/06,
22/06
20/05 Apply online AI and Digital Technology in the Workplace
2 Fridays from 26 June 2026
Adult Learning Wales
Online via Teams
26/06,
03/07
08/06 Apply online Neurodiversity in the Workplace
2 Wednesdays from 1 July 2026
Coleg Gwent
Online via Teams
01/07, 08/07 12/06 Apply online Making the Case for Insourcing
1 day - Monday 6 July 2026
Adult Learning Wales
Online via Teams
06/07 17/06 Apply online - Autumn term - September to December 2026
Further information about the content of each course can be found further down this page.
Standard course hours are 9 am - 4.30 pm. Where courses are marked as 'half-day' courses the hours are 9 am - 1 pm.
Course title and start date Provider & Location Full dates of course Apply by Union Reps Stage 1 (Part A)
5 Mondays from 2 November 2026
Adult Learning Wales
Online Via Teams
02/11, 09/11, 16/11, 23/11, 30/11 19/10 Apply online Union Reps Stage 1 (Part B)
5 Wednesdays from 4 November 2026
Adult Learning Wales
Online Via Teams
04/11, 11/11, 18/11, 25/11, 02/12 19/10 Apply online Advanced Employment Law Update (Union Reps Stage 2 module)
4 Tuesdays from 3 November 2026
Adult Learning Wales
Online Via Teams
03/11, 10/11, 17/11, 24/11 19/10 Apply online Health and Safety Reps Stage 1 (Part A)
5 Mondays from 2 November 2026
Coleg Gwent
Online via Teams
02/11, 09/11, 16/11, 23/11. 30/11 19/10 Apply online Health and Safety Reps Stage 2 (Part A)
5 Wednesdays from 4 November 2026
Coleg Gwent
Online via Teams
04/11, 11/11, 18/11, 25/11, 02/12 19/10 Apply online Union Learning Reps Stage 1
4 Thursdays from 5 November 2026
Adult Learning Wales
Online via Teams
05/11, 12/11, 19/11, 26/11 19/10 Apply online Tackling and Preventing Sexual Harassment
3 Thursdays from 1 October 2026
Coleg Gwent
Online via Teams
01/10, 08/10, 15/10 17/09 Apply online Public Speaking Skills for Reps
2 Fridays from 20 November 2026
Adult Learning Wales
Online via Teams
20/11, 27/11 06/11 Apply online Disability in the Workplace
3 days - Monday to Wednesday 2 to 4 November 2026
Adult Learning Wales
Online via Teams
02/11, 03/11, 04/11 19/10 Apply online - Spring term - January to March 2027
Further information about the content of each course can be found further down this page.
Standard course hours are 9 am - 4.30 pm. Where courses are marked as 'half-day' courses the hours are 9 am - 1 pm.
Course title and start date Provider & Location Full dates of course Apply by Union Reps Stage 1 (Part B)
5 Tuesdays from 16 February 2027
Adult Learning Wales
Online Via Teams
16/02, 23/02, 02/03, 09/03, 16/03 01/02 Apply online Advanced Negotiation and Collective Bargaining (Union Reps Stage 2 Module)
2 Wednesdays from 24 February 2027
Adult Learning Wales
Online Via Teams
24/02, 03/03 04/02 Apply online Health and Safety Reps Stage 1 (Part B)
5 Mondays from 15 February 2027
Coleg Gwent
Online via Teams
15/02, 22/02, 01/03, 08/03, 15/03 01/02 Apply online Union Learning Reps Stage 1
4 Thursdays from 14 January 2027
Adult Learning Wales
Online via Teams
14/01, 21/01, 28/01, 04/02 04/01 Apply online Greening our Workplaces - Green Rep Skills
3 Tuesdays from 2 March 2027
Adult Learning Wales
Online via Teams
02/03, 09/03, 16/03 15/02 Apply online AI and Digital Technology in the Workplace
2 Fridays from 22 January 2027
Coleg Gwent
Online via Teams
22/01, 29/01 07/01 Apply online Neurodiversity in the Workplace
2 Fridays from 26 February 2027
Adult Learning Wales
Cardiff (in person)
26/02, 05/03 04/02 Apply online Organising on Stress - From Resilience to Resistance
3 Tuesdays from 16 February 2027
Coleg Gwent
Online via Teams
16/02, 23/02, 02/03 01/02 Apply online - Summer term - April to July 2027
Further information about the content of each course can be found further down this page.
Standard course hours are 9 am - 4.30 pm. Where courses are marked as 'half-day' courses the hours are 9 am - 1 pm.
Course title and start date Provider & Location Full dates of course Apply by Union Reps Stage 1 (Part A)
5 Wednesdays from 7 April 2027
Adult Learning Wales
Online Via Teams
07/04, 14/04, 21/04, 28/04, 05/05 18/03 Apply online Advanced Employment Law Update (Union Reps Stage 2 Module)
4 Thursdays from 15 April 2027
Adult Learning Wales
Online Via Teams
15/04, 22/04, 29/04, 06/05 05/04 Apply online Advanced Reps Skills and Knowledge Refresher (Union Reps Stage 2 Module)
4 Wednesdays from 9 June 2027
Adult Learning Wales
Online Via Teams
09/06, 16/06, 23/06, 30/06 25/05 Apply online Health and Safety Reps Stage 1 (Part A)
5 Mondays from 5 April 2027 (*Except Monday 3 May as a bank holiday)
Coleg Gwent
Online via Teams
05/04, 12/04, 19/04, 26/04, 10/05 18/03 Apply online Health and Safety Reps Stage 2 (Part B)
5 Mondays from 17 May 2027 (*Except Monday 31 May as a bank holiday)
Coleg Gwent
Online via Teams
17/05, 24/05, 07/06, 14/06, 21/06 30/04 Apply online Union Learning Reps Stage 2
4 Thursdays from 10 June 2027
Adult Learning Wales
Online via Teams
10/06, 17/06, 24/06, 01/07 26/05 Apply online Equality Reps
4 Wednesdays from 7 April 2027
Coleg Gwent
Online via Teams
07/04, 14/04, 21/04, 28/04 18/03 Apply online Tackling and Preventing Sexual Harassment
3 Fridays from 7 May 2027
Adult Learning Wales
Online via Teams
07/05, 14/05, 21/05 22/04 Apply online Social Partnership
2 Mondays from 10 May 2027
Adult Learning Wales
Online via Teams
10/05, 17/05 22/04 Apply online Gender Sensitive Health and Safety
2 Tuesdays from 8 June 2027
Adult Learning Wales
Online via Teams
08/06, 15/06 24/05 Apply online
Course content: what will you learn on each course?
Click on the name of the course below for more information about what you'll learn.
- Union Reps Stage 1 (parts A and B)
Union Reps Stage 1 (Part A)
Duration: 5 days
This 5-day initial induction course is the first module of our Stage 1 course for union reps, which is in delivered in two separate modules.
This course is essential for new union reps. It will help you to:
- understand the role of the union rep in the workplace and the wider union
- identify members’ issues and represent members in discussions with employers
- build trade union recruitment and campaigns
- understand rights at work, contracts of employment and key legislation
- build confidence in your role and responsibilities as a union rep
To complete your stage 1 initial training, once you complete part A you should enrol on part B of the course. This is another 5-day module and completes your initial induction training as a rep. Courses are offered on a modular basis so you can choose when you want to do the second part of the course.
Union Reps Stage 1 (Part B)
Duration: 5days
Part B is the second module of the Union Reps Stage 1 course and will complete your essential induction as a new rep. You must have completed Part A of the Union Reps Stage 1 course before starting Part B.
This 5-day course will help you to:
- understand how grievances, disciplinaries and other case work is handled and how to represent members effectively
- use and make agreements
- understand union and branch structures
- organise and map your workplace
- further develop communication and other skills you need to be an effective rep
Union Representatives Qualification Pathway
Reps who complete part A of the Union Reps Stage 1 course and submit the necessary evidence of achievement can receive an initial Level 1 Award for Trade Union Representatives. Once you successfully complete part B of the course you can receive the full Level 1 Certificate for Trade Union Representatives qualification. Agored Cymru is the awarding body for these qualifications.
- Health and Safety Representatives Stage 1 (parts A and B)
Health and Safety Representatives Stage 1 (Part A)
Duration: 5 days
This 5-day initial induction course is the first module of our Stage 1 course for trade union health and safety reps, which is delivered in two separate parts.
This course is essential for new health and safety reps. You will learn about:
• The key functions and rights of a health and safety rep
• The legal duties of employers under health and safety legislation
• The risk assessment process
• Working with members to identify health and safety issues
• How to interview members effectively and write health and safety reports
• The trade union approach to health and safety at workHealth and Safety Representatives Stage 1 (Part B)
Duration: 5 days
Part B is the second module of the Health and Safety Reps Stage 1 course and will complete your essential induction as a new health and safety rep. Please note, you must have completed part A of the Health and Safety Reps Stage 1 course before you start the part B.
This 5-day course will help you to:
• Understand how to use and apply the law on workplace health and safety
• Understand key legislation such as the Health and Safety at Work Act and regulations such as RIDDOR
• Carry out effective workplace inspections
• Assess workplace health and safety policies
• Gather knowledge and information to help reduce accidents and ill health at work.Health and Safety Representatives Qualification Pathway
Reps who complete both parts of the Health and Safety Reps Stage 1 course (part A and part B) and submit the necessary evidence of achievement can receive a Level 1 Certificate for Trade Union Health and Safety Representatives, which is a nationally recognised qualification. Agored Cymru is the awarding body for this qualification.
- Union Learning Reps Stage 1
Duration: 4 days
This 4-day initial induction course is for all new Union Learning Reps and any who have not previously done training.
To be able to work effectively as a union learning rep (ULR) you need to build a broad knowledge and understanding of education and training matters. A good understanding of your union and your workplace is even more important. Knowing who to talk to and when, who makes the decisions and how, and what policies and guidelines can help is fundamental to ULRs making a successful case for members.
This course will help you:
- understand union structures, and how your union organises around learning
- build a broad perspective of the ULR role
- find out about developments in learning and appreciate issues affecting learning
- work with members and other reps to define priorities
- take a planned approach to your own and your members’ development
- develop the skills to put the union case on learning
- work collectively as part of the union team
- Union Reps Stage 2 module - Advanced Employment Law Update
These courses are suitable for reps who have already completed Union Reps Stage 1 (or equivalent union training).
Duration: 4 days
This course will help to keep you up-to-date with some of the key changes to employment law put in place as a result of the new Employment Rights Act. It will also refresh and extend your knowledge of employment law, including contracts of employment. It will help to support you to make the most of new opportunities to secure improvements for your members.
The course will help you to:
- Understand employment rights under the new Employment Rights Act and refresh your knowledge of other relevant employment law
- Understand how members are protected against unfair dismissal
- Defend members against possible breaches of employment rights
- Understand new rules around industrial action
- Refresh your knowledge of different types of employment status and employment contracts and ways in which contracts of employment can be varied
- Explore why trade unions do not rely on the law to secure improvements for members and identify opportunities
- Union Reps Stage 2 module - Advanced Collective Bargaining and Negotiation
These courses are suitable for reps who have already completed Union Reps Stage 1 (or equivalent union training).
Duration: 2 days
This course will help you to progress your collective bargaining and negotiation skills to help you secure improvements for your members.
The course will help you to:
- Understand different types of collective bargaining agreements and identify opportunities to secure improvements for members
- Deepen your understanding of trade union recognition and recognition agreements
- Understand effective techniques and strategies for negotiations with management
- Prepare negotiation plans
- Union Reps Stage 2 module - Advanced Skills and Knowledge Refresher
These courses are suitable for reps who have already completed Union Reps Stage 1 (or equivalent union training).
Duration: 4 days
This course is aimed at experienced reps and will help you to update and expand your knowledge and skills in carrying out effective consultation and identifying priority concerns for action in your workplace. As well as building your confidence in planning effectively for workplace change it will also help you in working together with other reps as a union team and communicating effectively with members.
The course will help you to:
- Understand different rep roles and how they work together to build an effective union team
- Identify and understand the impacts of current and future workplace changes
- Understand best practice in consultation and how to identify members priority concerns
- Build an effective case for improvements in the workplace to address members’ priority concerns
- Enhance effective communication with members
- Health and Safety Reps Stage 2 (Parts A and B)
Health and Safety Reps Stage 2 Part A
Duration: 5 days
This new 5-day course is the first part of TUC Cymru’s Stage 2 advanced course for Health and Safety Reps. It is suitable for experienced reps who have already completed the Health and Safety Stage 1 course (or union equivalent) and who wish to advance their skills and knowledge to the next level.
The course will help you to:
- Determine and address priority workplace health and safety concerns
- Review and improve workplace health and safety policies
- Understand how changes in the workplace can create health and safety issues and how to address these
- Understand legal requirements for consultation and how arrangements can be improved in the workplace
- Assess different sources of information on health and safety and develop a plan to keep your own knowledge and skills up to date
Health and Safety Reps Stage 2 Part B
This is the second module of TUC Cymru’s Stage 2 advanced course for Health and Safety Reps. It is suitable for experienced reps who have already completed the Health and Safety Stage 1 course (or union equivalent) who wish to advance their skills and knowledge to the next level. You should complete Part A of Health and Safety Reps Stage 2 before enrolling on Part B.
The course will help you to:
• Develop negotiation plans and negotiate confidently and effectively with employers on health and safety matters
• Develop a deeper understanding of health and safety legislation and standards in the workplace
• Prepare a proposal for measures to improve workplace health and safety
• Be able to carry out a review of current risk assessment procedures, identify strengths and weaknesses and make recommendations for improvementsHealth and Safety Reps Qualification Pathway (Level 2)
Reps who complete both modules of the Health and Safety Reps Stage 2 course (Part A and Part B) can achieve the Level 2 Trade Union Health and Safety Representatives Certificate, a nationally recognised qualification awarded by Agored Cymru.
- Union Learning Reps Stage 2
Duration: 4 days
This 4 day course has been designed for ULRs who have already completed the Union Learning Representatives Stage 1 course. It continues and extends the core essential training for ULRs.
It builds on the knowledge and skills from the stage 1 course, as well as your own experiences as a ULR in the workplace. It aims to provide you with further knowledge, confidence and skills in taking your role further and promoting union-led learning to all in your workplace.
This course will help you:
- develop a trade union approach to building equality and tackling inequality through learning
- understand neurodiversity in the context of learning
- understand and address specific barriers to learning faced by members
- prepare to negotiate union-led workplace learning, including learning agreements
- identify current and future changes in the workplace and their impacts on learning needs
- identify sources of funding for learning
Trade Union Learning Reps Qualification Pathway
Union Learning Reps who complete the Stage 1 Union Learning Reps course and submit the necessary evidence of achievement can receive a Level 1 Award for Trade Union Learning Representatives. Once you successfully complete Union Learning Reps Stage 2 you can receive a Level 1 Extended Award for Trade Union Learning Representatives qualification. Agored Cymru is the awarding body for these qualifications.
If you completed your Union Learning Reps Stage 1 course prior to June 2024, you may have been awarded credits though a different awarding body (NOCN). In this case, it can be possible to apply for ‘recognition of prior learning’ with Agored to enable the prior credits to be recognised towards the Extended Award. Your tutor and course provider can provide more advice and information about this process and will be able to offer further support.
- AI and Digital Technologies in the Workplace
Duration: 2 days
This two day course aims to help increase awareness of the current and potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital technologies on workers. It will help you to consider what safeguards should be in place to ensure that the introduction of new technologies does not result in negative impacts and that potential positive benefits for workers can be realised
By the end of the course, this course will help you to:
- Understand the impact of AI and other digital technologies on the world of work
- Identify specific types of AI and digital technologies used within their own workplace and some of the potential consequences these might have on your members
- Understand how existing legislation, agreements and structures can effectively be used to challenge poor practice in the implementation of AI and digital technologies
- Develop an action plan for your own workplace
This course is aimed at all reps and no previous knowledge is required.
- Greening our Workplaces – green rep skills
Duration: 3 days
This course is aimed at new and experienced green/environmental reps and other trade unionists who wish to take practical action on the climate and nature emergency in their workplace.
The course covers:
- Understanding the climate and nature emergency and identifying workplace impacts
- Working with the branch and members to identify sustainability issues that need to be raised with management
- How to carry out environmental audits
- How to review and develop workplace environmental policies and agreements
- The role of unions in sustainable development
- Trade union approaches to and ensuring workers have a fair say in shaping changes that affect them - including ‘just transition’ agreements
- How to build an action plan for your own workplace
- Organising on Stress – from Resilience to Resistance
Duration: 3 days
This 3-day course is designed to support reps to organise on the issue of work-related stress. Resilience is often used to imply that an individual needs to toughen up and simply withstand stress better. Unfortunately it can often be an example of organisations failing to tackle the problem of stress at its root cause. Employers’ promoting the narrative of ‘resilience’ and related training initiatives must recognise that stress is of-ten a result of work itself, requiring a change to work structures, rather than a shift in the behaviours and attitudes of individuals.
Stress does not tend to occur randomly but is triggered. TUC research indicates that the biggest causes of stress at work are:
Workload (74%)
Cuts in staff (53%)
Change at work (44%)
Long hours (39%)
This course will help you to:
Identify the causes and impacts of excessive workplace stress
Learn more about the links between stress and mental health
Understand employers’ legal duties
Use available tools such as mapping, stress management audits and risk assessments
Review relevant policies and standards and negotiate improvements in the workplace
Develop an action plan for your workplace
- Social Partnership
Duration: 2 days
This 2-day course will empower reps to use the new Social Partnership and Public Procurement Act for the benefit of members.
It will help build the relevant knowledge, skills and confidence to take forward effective social partnership in your own workplace.
This course will explore the challenges and opportunities presented by social partnership working and reps will have the opportunity to develop a practical action plan for their own workplace.
- Tackling and Preventing Sexual Harassment
Duration: 3 days
This new 3-day course will help support reps in tackling and preventing sexual harassment in the workplace.
It will help you to:
Identify sexual harassment and understand the impacts
Understand employers' legal responsibilities (including the new preventative duty)
Negotiate effective workplace policies
Support members affected by sexual harassment
Develop an action plan for your workplace
- Disability in the Workplace
Duration: 3 days
This 3-day course is for all reps who want to improve disability equality in the workplace and tackle discrimination.
It will cover:
Disability discrimination and how it impacts on members
The social model of disability
Employers' legal responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010
Reasonable adjustments
Supporting members with 'hidden disabilities'
Effective workplace policies
Developing your own workplace action plan
- Public Speaking for Trade Union Reps
Course description coming soon
- Neurodiversity in the Workplace
Course description coming soon
- Equality Reps
Course description coming soon
- Gender Sensitive Health and Safety
Course description coming soon
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 Health and Safety Reps Network, 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.
