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 Learning and Skills for All Fund 2009 - Manchester Launch Event Learning and Skills for All Fund 2009 - Lancashire Launch Event Learning and Skills for All Fund 2009 - Cumbria Launch Event Learning and Skills for All Fund 2009 - Chester Launch Event Learning and Skills for All Fund 2009 - Merseyside Launch Event  |
TUC Education UpdateSummer 2008 Issue Welcome to the summer edition of TUC Education Update, which is mailed three times a year to union education officers, TUC course co-ordinators and tutors, and everyone with an interest in union education and training, with news and views from TUC Education. The Update is also available as an e-bulletin, register via the TUC unionlearn* website at www.unionlearn.org.uk/register or www.unionlearn.org.uk/changedetails Over 6,000 people have subscribed to the Update, receiving up to date news as soon as it is published.
Occupational health workbook launchTo coincide with Workers' Memorial Day - which this year focused on good occupational health for all workers - TUC Education have published a new guide to occupational health for union safety reps.
Lord McKenzie at launch of Occupational Health workbook Over the next year, TUC Education hopes that around 15,000 workplace safety reps can be trained using the new educational workbook, Occupational Health: Dealing with the Issues. Reps will be able to use the guide to assess the extent of ill health in their workplaces and work with their employers to find the best ways of making the business a healthier place to work. The workbook says that apart from the huge personal cost to individuals when they become ill as a result of their work, 175 million working days were lost as a result of sickness absence in 2006, costing firms £650 per poorly employee. TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'Workplaces where there are union safety reps tend to be both safer and healthier places. But the UK is currently facing an epidemic of occupational ill health. Many people are ill and in pain as a result of lifting injuries, slips and trips, stress and noise-induced hearing loss suffered either at, or caused by, their work. 'Using this workbook, union reps can learn about all the aspects of occupational health. Then they can use it to encourage their employers to do much more to make employees feel they are getting a decent level of support from work when they are ill and again when they are on the road towards a full recovery.' At the event to launch the publication Lord McKenzie of Luton, the Minister for Health and Safety, said: 'The training provided by the TUC and individual unions is an essential element in ensuring safety representatives are equipped for their role. In keeping with the desire to stay ahead of the game and in provoking crucial developments it is very good to see that the TUC is publishing a new workbook today on occupational health. 'This workbook will mean that 'safety representatives' truly become health and safety representatives so ensuring the workplaces they work in are not only safe but also healthy. The development of new skills and knowledge will enable representatives to work with their employers in dealing with important health issues including the prevention of occupational ill-health and diseases, sickness absence and access to rehabilitation and occupational health services. '
Graham Petersen - TUC Course Co-ordinator, Rob Hancock - TUC Regional Education Officer with union representatives Women officers' summer school
This year's course will have particular focus on organising, leadership and women's participation in the work of unions. Guest speakers, visits and social events will make for a fun and hard-working week. The course is for all women union officers, whether newly appointed or with substantial experience. This is a residential course and will be held in London between 30th June and 4th July. Topics covered will include essential knowledge in these areas:
There is a fee of £600 for this course, to cover residential and additional course costs. Further information and an application form can be obtained from Rob Hancock or Angela Perry, REOs for the Southern & Eastern Region, details at the end of this Update. BME eventNew black and minority ethnic trade unionists from across the South West and Wales came together in March to talk about the issues that affect them on a daily basis. Michael Auguste and AJ Singh, TUC tutors, facilitated a weekend workshop so BME activists could talk about leadership in their unions, the law and to build their own confidence. Guest speakers included Ivy Cameron and Wilf Sullivan, TUC Race Equality Officer. Mike Auguste said: 'everyone really enjoyed the weekend and the discussions were lively and informative - all of us appreciated the opportunity to talk about the things that affect us and are looking forward to the next event'. Qualification Credit Framework (QCF) updateAgreement has been reached between TUC Education and National Open College Network, our awarding body, to award Accredited Prior (Certificated) Learning, APCL where appropriate as part of the QCF. Trade union reps can gain a qualification by using APCL to exempt them from units they have already achieved. The agreement refers to certificated learning undertaken within the TUC Education programme since it was re-accredited in 2005. So learners who have achieved the units, which form part of any of the qualifications on offer, will have been assessed to the standard required for the achievement of the qualification units. TUC Tutors have been issued with guidelines for learners to follow if they are to meet the formal requirements of APCL. Reps interested in APCL should in the first instance speak to tutors at the TUC Centre where they are currently studying. Union professional development programme 2008Courses taking place this month include:
To book a place on any of the above courses contact the relevant REO, details below. For further information about these courses or other union professionals courses, please contact Martin Hegarty mhegarty@tuc.org.uk Union professionals
New features planned include more bargaining support information and a summary of Brendan Barber's report to the TUC General Council, which surveys recent political and industrial developments from a TUC and union perspective. Launch parties are also being planned, more details will be sent to registered users shortly. Finally, there's a monthly unionprofessionals newsletter for which contributions from union affiliates are welcomed, please email unionprofessionals@tuc.org.uk . Tutors can direct officers on courses to the unionprofessionals website as a resource for Continuing Professional Development. For free copies of the unionprofessionals brochure please contact unionprofessionals@tuc.org.uk or 020 7467 1304. Pensions Champions
The TUC now has a database of almost 500 individuals who want to become Pensions Champions, built up through leafleting and promotion on TUC and trade union websites. The aim is to substantially increase that number through further publicity. Around 200 individuals have already attended the 3-day Pensions Champions at work course. A number of courses have also been run for members in a single union or with the same employer or industry, further courses are planned in local government, rail and the nuclear industry. A longer-term aim of the project is to build a TUC network of Pensions Champions similar to those of Union Learning Reps and Member Nominated Trustees. Through this network Champions will be supported with information, materials and further training. Champions will be encouraged to use the project website to communicate with others about issues that arise and problems they are facing. Visit the website at www.pensionschampions.co.uk For more information contact Terry Segars, Pensions Education Officer, Congress House. Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS, tel.020 7467 1363, mob.07769 706104, email tsegars@tuc.org.uk Learning and careers advicelineNeed advice on careers and learning? The unionlearn advice line is a free, impartial, confidential service which helps people to develop new skills, improve their job prospects or change jobs. This service is for all unionlearn and union staff, trade union education tutors, union representatives and union members. Telephone: 08000 92 91 90 Going global
The course explains key issues such as development, poverty, free trade and labour migration. From the United Nation's 'Millennium Development Goals' to the international trade union movement's promotion of 'Decent Work', this course explores the global agenda that addresses these issues. Importantly, this eight-week course demonstrates how, through trade union action in the workplace, in communities and internationally, workers in the global economy can secure fairness and justice at work instead of being forced to choose between exploitation and starvation. This course is ideal for trade union reps interested in understanding the issues of global poverty and how the trade union movement can improve people's working lives and play a crucial role in ensuring a decent life for all. It is especially suited for reps keen to engage their own members and workplaces to promote international trade union development. If you are interested in this course, please complete the online form at: http://www.unionlearn.org.uk/education/learn-2045-f0.cfm/formbuilder/127/p/1 What's new?Look out for:
Coming soon
Who to contactRegional Harry Cunningham - REO in Scotland t 0141 221 8545 e hcunningham@tuc.org.uk Pete Holland - REO in the North West t 0151 236 7678 e pholland@tuc.org.uk Julie Cook - REO in Wales t 02920 347010 e jcook@tuc.org.uk Marie Hughes - REO in the South West t 0117 9470521 e mhughes@tuc.org.uk Trevor Sargison - REO in Northern, Yorks & Humber t 0113 242 9296 e tsargison@tuc.org.uk Ian West - REO in Northern region t 0191 232 3175 e iwest@tuc.org.uk Pete Try - REO in East& West Midlands Rob Hancock - REO in Southern & Eastern Angela Perry - REO in Southern & Eastern t 020 7467 1369 e apery@tuc.org.uk Clare Moore - Northern Ireland ICTU Education & Training Officer t 02890 247940 e clare.moore@ictuni.org National Liz Rees - National Trade Union Education Manager Jackie Williams - Education & Training Officer Martin Hegarty - Education & Training Officer Craig Hawkins - Online Learning Officer t 020 7079 6947 e chawkins@tuc.org.uk Newsletter (2,000 words) issued 10 Jun 2008  Women and Unions New Trade Union Education Centre opens at Ruskin College Development Worker - Derby Trade Union Education Learning Centre |
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unionlearn Telephone 020 7079 6920 |
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The fourth annual Women officers' summer school will take place again in London this year. Last year's summer school was a real success, involving women from many unions in work on trade union priorities in a supportive classroom setting.
Back in December the TUC launched unionprofessionals, the exciting new online community for union officers & staff: 
Good news! The DWP has agreed to fund the TUC's Pensions Champions project for another year. This means that we will be able to build on the progress already made, significantly increasing the number of Champions. More Champions will mean assistance in many more workplaces for people in unravelling their pensions and, where necessary, taking steps to improve their retirement income.
Going global - an online course on trade unions and international development. This course is a concise and engaging introduction to the central role working people play in development. From export processing zones to ship breaking, it covers practical examples of the problems and opportunities facing workers across the globe.