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Short Courses

These are organised as part of regional/national programmes, or on request from affiliates. They can be organised during working time and last between one and five days.

Your TUC Regional Education Officer will provide details of the programme in your area or course the online course directory but in general courses cover:

Health and Safety category
Trade Unions and International Health and Safety Health & Safety Conditions at Work Introduction to Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations Health & Safety Update Risk Assessment Developing Safety Representative Skills Organising for Health & Safety Manual Handling Workplace Accident Investigation and Reporting Discussion Leaders Tackling Stress in the Workplace	Musculoskeletal Disorders Tackling Bullying in the Workplace Union Inspection Notices - A Short Course for Union Health & Safety Reps Health & Safety in the Quarrying Industry Smoke free Workplaces Dealing with intimidating behaviour Work related upper limb disorders Occupational Health Women and Health & Safety Tackling Occupational and Work-related Asthma Mental Health Awareness
Promoting Learning	Equality category
Developing Workplace Learning Supporting learners Skills for Life and the Union Role Skills for Life - The Whole Organisation Approach Information, Advice and Guidance - the ULR Role Workforce Development - The ULR Role Working with Members Working With Employers Negotiating with Employers on Learning How to Work with Providers Organising and Learning Equality in the Workplace Climbing Frame for Union Learning Reps Mentoring and coaching skills for union reps	Equality Rep Equalities Update - Sexual Orientation and Religious Belief Regulations Tackling Racism Disability Champions @ Work Countering the Far Right Mental Health Awareness
	Capacity Building category
	Employment Law Update - Information and Consultation - a course for trade union reps on new rights for employees Employment Law Update - Dispute Resolution Engaging Learners in a Trade Union Learning Centre
Developing Union Perspectives category	Developing Representative Skills Category
Dealing with Domestic Violence in the Workplace - A Trade Union Issue Trade Unions and the Environment UK Unions and the EU Trade unions in Europe	Handling Disciplinaries and Grievances Successful Negotiating - A Short Course for Union Reps Finding a Work Life Balance - A Short Course for Union Reps Dealing with Redundancy
Pensions Category	Organising & Recruitment category
Introduction to Pensions Pensions Champions at Work	Organise! A Voice in Every Workplace
Communication skills category	Personal and Professional Development category
Speaking with Confidence for Trade Union Reps	Discussion Leaders Speakers in Schools

 

Dealing with Domestic Violence in the Workplace - A Trade Union Issue

(Developing Union Perspectives category)

This course has been developed: to raise awareness of domestic violence and its impact on members in the workplace; to assist union representatives who wish to 'break the silence' on domestic violence both within the workplace and their unions; to determine what unions and employers can do to create an environment in which those experiencing domestic violence can speak up and be supported. This is not a course to train reps to counsel members but will provide you with the information on those who can.

The aims of the course are to enable union representatives:

• to develop an understanding of domestic violence
• to consider how it can affect members at work
• to identify their role, and the roles of others, in supporting members experiencing domestic violence to plan workplace and trade union action on domestic violence

Because the vast majority of those who experience domestic violence are women, where it is necessary to be gender specific this course will refer to women. But in all workplaces it should be remembered that men can experience domestic violence and that it occurs in same-sex as well as heterosexual relationships.

Sample 3-day programme

Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Introduction Getting to know one another What is domestic violence?	Supporting members Domestic violence policies	Winning support
Lunch	Lunch	Lunch
Dispelling the myths Information to members	Negotiating a domestic violence policy	Action plan Review and evaluation

Introduction to Pensions

(Pensions category)

This course will help union reps to:

• understand general pension options
• understand pension terms, concepts and information
• understand own occupational pension scheme

Sample 2-day programme

Day 1	Day 2
Introductions Pensions language Pensions options Basic State Pensions State Pensions and members	Your pension scheme Calculating pensions Additional pensions Pension resources Campaigning on pensions

Trade Unions and the Environment

(Developing Union Perspectives category)

This course will help union reps to:

• Identify environmental changes affecting the workplace
• Research and identify appropriate environmental legislation, policies and information
• Identify environmental problems and opportunities for trade union action.

Sample 3-day programme

Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Introductions What is environmental concern? Why is the environment a trade union issue?	Systems and legislation	Strategies for change Course review

 

Employment Law Update - Information and Consultation - a course for trade union reps on new rights for employees

(Capacity Building category)

The purpose of this course is to help union representatives explore the new regulations and to work out how they might best be used to members' advantage.

The course will help you:

• understand the legal framework
• know the potential advantages for union organisation
• be aware of the implications for existing recognition agreements/arrangements with employers
• assess the situation in your own workplace and judge how and when to use the new laws
• develop clear goals to use the new legislation to widen union influence in the workplace

Sample 3-day programme

Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Introductions Information and Consultation - reviewing what exists New rights to Information and consultation - an overview Initiating an Information and Consultation Agreement New rights - advantages and disadvantages	Information and Consultation case studies Relating the new rights to your workplace SWOT analysis of Information and Consultation in your workplace Reviewing the Options	Sharing information at work Being sure of your issue Planning action Evaluation

Employment Law Update - Dispute Resolution

(Capacity Building category)

The purpose of this course is to provide an update on the new legislation and an opportunity to examine how these might affect you and your members.

The course will help you:

• build an overview of the new legislation
• consider the implications for existing practices and procedures
• plan how to use the information gained

Sample programme

• Introductions
• Overview of new regulations and reform
• Key features of the new legislation
• Review of current workplace procedures
• Casework and the new legislation
• New legislation - implications for action

Equalities Update - Sexual Orientation and Religious Belief Regulations

(Equality category)

This course is designed to help you:

• understand what the new laws say
• develop the skills to work with employers to put the law into practice in your workplace
• raise awareness among your members
• use the new laws to recruit and organise

Sample 2-day programme

Day 1	Day 2
Introductions Attitudes in the workplace Which religion or belief? Understanding the new laws	Negotiating for equality Organising for equality Planning for equality Course Evaluation

Tackling Racism

(Equality category)

This course for union reps has been designed to provide an opportunity for further understanding of equality and diversity issues in relation to race. It aims to provide a positive networking and learning experience and an opportunity to contribute to developing unions' interaction with lay members within the union and workforce.

The course will help you:

• identify how racism appears in the workplace and the different forms it can take
• explore different approaches and establish good practice in tackling racism and discrimination and promoting diversity in the workplace and union branch
• understand key points of the law
• improve interviewing and listening skills to improve case handling
• look at employer guidance to promote equality and fairness at work and ways to use and improve procedures and agreements
• find out useful sources of information

Sample 3-day programme

Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Introductions Equality, racism and discrimination - what are we talking about? What have we gained by being a diverse society? Same and different problems Effective communication when dealing with cultural difference	Using the law Using agreements and procedures Taking up members' problems	Making the union work for everyone Finding information and resources Course evaluation

Disability Champions @ Work

(Equality category)

This course will equip all union reps with the knowledge, skills and tools to carry out their role. The course covers: the Disability Discrimination Act; Case Law; Understanding the Social Model of Disability; Interviewing members; Understanding 'Reasonable Adjustments'; Negotiating adjustments; Understanding Access to Work funding; Conducting an audit against the 'two ticks' criteria; Developing improvement plans.

Sample 5-day programme

Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Introductions The Disability Discrimination Act The role of the Disability Champion Overcoming obstacles	Introducing the Disability Champions website The language barrier Interviewing members	Access to Work funding and case studies Understanding the two ticks symbol	Legal frameworks across Europe Researching a specific disability issue Agreeing a joint improvement target	Evaluating support / research methods Action planning Promoting the role and the project course review

Speaking with Confidence for Trade Union Reps (Capacity Building category)

This course is to help reps improve their speaking skills. One of the main purposes of the course is to help union reps - with little or no experience of speaking - to feel better prepared and more confident about speaking at union meetings and conferences.

The course will help you:

• communicate more effectively
• work out a systematic approach to planning and preparing speeches
• practise speaking
• become familiar union meeting and conference procedures

Sample 2-day programme

Day 1	Day 2
Introduction Speaking skills Speaking at meetings - preparation, presentation and review Conference procedures and jargon	Speaking at Conference - writing motions, preparation, presentation, and Review The main lessons Course review

Trade Unions and International Health and Safety

(Health and Safety category)

This course will help safety reps:

• identify why international health and safety issues are relevant to them and their members
• raise members' awareness about international health and safety
• find out about international trade union action on health and safety
• use international health and safety standards
• keep up to date with international developments, including the Millennium Development Goals and the TUC's Target 2015 campaign
• develop future union strategy on international health and safety

Sample 3-day programme

	PRE-COURSE SURVEY
DAY	AM	PM	ACTION
1	Introductions, aims & Millennium Development Goals, and how the course will work Review of pre-course survey Why international health and safety?	Trade union standards & international action International health and safety campaigns	Agreed workplace activity based upon needs of participants
	International health and safety standards International health and safety quiz	Key international health and safety issues Key international health and safety issues (continued)	Agreed workplace activity based upon needs of participants
3	Sources of information for international health and safety Planning international health and safety campaigns	Action planning and future strategy Course evaluation Accreditation	Report back to members, unions & employer. Action in the workplace Further training

Health & Safety Conditions at Work

(Health and Safety category)

This course will help safety reps:

• identify and understand how specific hazards impact on health
• identify what standards your management should be applying
• understand how health and safety laws work
• understand what specific standards say
• become familiar with Health and Safety Executive guidance
• engage your members in discussions about how their work affects their health
• Put together an action plan

Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Introduction Comparing experiences Hazards and health Thinking it through	Why isn't all this acceptable? How the health and safety laws work Getting to grips with standards Best working practices	How to get your members talking How to raise issues Useful websites Action planning Course Evaluation

Introduction to Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations

(Health and Safety category)

This course will help safety reps:

• review experiences about hazardous substances at work and the risks to health
• get up to date on new legal developments related to hazardous substances at work
• find out how the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 and HSE COSHH Essentials can help in your workplace
• identify the steps you need to take to ensure that employers comply with the legislation and guidance
• raise awareness about hazardous substances with members and other union representatives.

Sample 3 day course programme

 

	PRE-COURSE SURVEY
DAY	AM	PM
1	STARTING THE COURSE Introductions and aims How the course will work REVIEWING EXPERIENCE AN INTRODUCTION TO COSHH 2002	TRADE UNION APPROACH TO COSHH PLANNING A COSHH INSPECTION	WORKPLACE ACTIVITY COSHH inspection
2	SHARING COSHH INSPECTION EXPERIENCES TACKLING HAZARDS USING COSHH 2002	USING E-COSHH ESSENTIALS PREPARATION FOR WORKPLACE ACTIVITY	WORKPLACE ACTIVITY Risk assessments
3	EVALUATING COSHH ASSESSMENTS UNDERSTANDING EH 40 - MEL's and OES's	A COSHH QUIZ YOUR UNION STRATEGY ON COSHH 2002 COURSE EVALUATION ACCREDITATION	Report back to members, unions & employer Action in the workplace Further training

Health & Safety Update

(Health and Safety category)

This course will help safety reps:

• identify the range of hazards and procedures covered by new health and safety legislation, standards or policies
• recognise the implications of new legislation, standards or policies for the workplace or union
• specify action that needs to be taken at work and in your trade union

Sample 3-day programme

	PRE-COURSE SURVEY
DAY	AM	PM	ACTION
1	Introductions, aims & how the course will work Keeping up to date New laws	New laws New standards	Workplace activity - risk assessment
2	Trade union/TUC policies Review of risk assessments in relation to the new laws/standards	Implications in the workplace Agreeing tasks for a workplace activity	Agreed workplace activity based upon the needs of the participants
3	Action planning and steps that need to be taken Role play negotiation on action plan	Role play negotiation on action plan Further training Course evaluation Accreditation	Report back to members, unions & employer Action in the workplace Further training

 

Risk Assessment

(Health and Safety category)

This course will help trade union health and safety reps to:

• identify the key legal requirements concerning risk assessments
• understand the risk assessment process
• relate risk assessment to strategies for improving health and safety at work

Sample 3-day programme

PRE-COURSE ACTIVITY
DAY	AM	PM	ACTION
1	Introductions, aims, agenda setting & how the course will work What is a risk assessment? The law and risk assessment - Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999	The law and risk assessment - other Regulations Attitudes to risk assessment Preparation for Workplace Activity	Workplace activity - Hazard Mapping and priorities Obtaining information from Pre-course activity
2	Report back on Hazard Mapping HSE Five Steps to risk assessment Practising risk assessments	Evaluating different methods of risk assessment Evaluating risk assessment procedures Preparation for Workplace Activity	Workplace activity - Analysing risk assessments Obtaining information from Pre-course activity
3	Assessing the impact of risk assessments Policies for risk assessment	Trade union strategy, action planning and steps that need to be taken Learning opportunities Course evaluation Accreditation	Report back to members, unions & employer Action in the workplace Further training

 

Developing Safety Representative Skills

(Health and Safety category)

This course will help trade union health and safety representatives to:

• recognise their own health and safety skills development needs
• review their own health and safety skills development opportunities at work, in their own union and elsewhere
• understand development planning for own health and safety skills needs

Sample 2-day programme

	PRE-COURSE ACTIVITY
DAY	AM	PM	ACTION
1	Introductions, aims & how the course will work Health and safety skills Health and safety Skills Development Opportunities	Health and safety Skills Development Opportunities (continued) What is Continuing Safety Rep Development?	Preparation - reading about the different categories of Continuing Safety Rep Development (Fact Sheet 3)
2	Categories of Safety Rep Development Your own Safety Rep Development Plan	Your own Safety Rep Development Plan (continued) Safety reps & IOSH (optional) Course evaluation Accreditation	Report back to members, unions & employer Implement your Safety Rep Development Plan

 

Organising for Health & Safety

(Health and Safety category)

This course is designed to help union branches to organise for health and safety at the workplace and can be used by reps by workplace reps to help plan recruitment of new safety reps and to improve workplace efforts on health and safety.

The course will help safety reps:

• identify and develop new safety reps
• improve the effectiveness of the safety committee
• build union membership through better organisation

The course covers:

• Safety reps and recruitment
• Mapping the Workplace
• Organising for health and safety
• Developing new safety reps
• Working with your employer
• Safety reps rights

 

Manual Handling

(Health and Safety category)

This course will help safety reps:

• understand the relationship between hazard and risk in manual handling
• understand the relevant regulations and their application in the workplace
• use a systematic approach to dealing with manual handling issues in the workplace

Sample 3-day programme

DAY	AM	PM	ACTION
1	Introductions, aims, agenda setting & how the course will work Reviewing experience What is manual handling?	The law and manual handling Preparation for Workplace Activity	Workplace activity – Hazard Mapping and priorities
2	Report on Hazard Mapping and priorities Avoidance of manual handling Manual handling risk assessment	Using and HSE assessment tool Evaluating manual handling procedures Preparation for Workplace Activity	Workplace activity – Manual handling policies
3	Policies for manual handling Negotiating a policy Manual handling accidents and injuries	Trade union strategy, action planning and steps that need to be taken Learning opportunities Course evaluation Accreditation	Report back to members, unions & employer Action in the workplace Further training

 

Workplace Accident Investigation and Reporting

(Health and Safety category)

This course will help safety reps:

• consider the reason for investigating.
• improve the treatment of members affected.
• ensure that management's accident investigations are 'suitable and sufficient'.
• gather, preserve and present evidence for investigation, litigation and enforcement authorities.
• complete a competent accident investigation.
• develop a Trade Union strategy for using accident investigation to reduce the risks to member's health, safety and welfare

Sample 3-day programme

Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Introduction Why investigate? Who to involve Care of persons affected Improving care What help is available	How to complete an investigation Methods of accident investigation Gathering and recording evidence Taking, recording and interpreting statements	Understanding evidence The main causes of injury and ill health Reducing the risks Course review

Occupational Health

(Health & Safety category)

A 2-day course on prevention and rehabilitation. Work-related ill health is on the increase. This course provides an opportunity for union reps to review their preventative services and develop a strategy to combat the risks. Occupational health is the theme for International Workers Memorial day 2008 and this course will help you to prepare your campaign for 28th April.

 

Discussion Leaders

The aims of this course are:

• to enable participants to plan and prepare to promote discussion and learning
• promote discussion and learning
• evaluate their own and other discussion/learning programmes

Sample 3-day programme

Day 1	Introductions Reviewing Education Experience Education Methods Discussion Based Courses
Day 2	Sample Sessions Introducing a session Preparing a session & Running a session
Day 3	Reviewing education sessions Future Strategy Course Review

Tackling Stress in the Workplace

(Health and Safety category)

This course will help safety reps:

• recognise hazards and risks associated with specific conditions at work (work-related stress)
• understand how legislation, company policy or other requirements relate to specific conditions at work (work-related stress)
• understand prevention, control and action measures for specific conditions at work (work-related stress)

Sample 3-day programme

PRE-COURSE SURVEY
DAY	AM	PM	ACTION
1	Introductions, aims & how the course will work What is stress? Causes and effects of work-related stress	Attitudes to stress Planning a stress survey	Workplace activity - undertaking a stress survey finding risk assessments
2	Identifying stressors from the stress survey Finding and using standards on work-related stress	HSE Five Steps to risk assessment Stress risk assessments Evaluating prevention and control measures	Workplace activity - reporting to members on the results of the stress survey finding stress policies
3	Work-related stress policies Negotiating a stress policy 'Coping' with stress	Action planning and steps that need to be taken Further training Course evaluation Accreditation	Report back to members, unions & employer Action in the workplace Further training

Tackling Bullying in the Workplace

(Health and Safety category)

This course will helps reps:

• have a greater awareness and understanding of what constitutes bullying and harassment, its effects on the individual and the organisation, and the health and safety implications.
• increase their knowledge of the relevant legislation, as it applies to bullying and harassment and management responsibilities within their own policy.
• understand the impact of their own behaviour on others and set standards for themselves.
• develop action plans, which will help create a positive work environment

Sample 2-day programme

Day 1	Day 2
Introduction Recognising bullying and harassment Why do people bully?	Let's talk Checking your own behaviour Testing the temperature Action Planning

Union Inspection Notices - A Short Course for Union Health & Safety Reps

(Health and Safety category)

This course will help safety reps:

• share experiences about problems related to getting things done
• find out about TUC Union Inspection Notices (UINs)
• use TUC Union Inspection Notices (UINs)
• tackle hazards at work
• develop negotiating skills
• develop an action plan for the future use of TUC UINs

Sample 2-day programme

Pre- course activity
DAY	AM	PM	WORKPLACE ACTIVITY
1	STARTING THE COURSE Introduction and Aims Paired Introductions How the course will work SHARING EXPERIENCE FROM THE WORKPLACE A LAW REFRESHER AND TUC POLICY	ISSUING UINS - case studies FILLING IN UINs FOR WORKPLACE HAZARDS	Either UINs - Finding out more Or Issuing a UIN (where appropriate)
2	REPORT BACK FROM WORKPLACE ACTIVITY UIN NEGOTIATIONS AND AGREEMENTS	UINs - OPPORTUNITIES AND CONCERNS FUTURE ACTION ON UINs Course evaluation Accreditation	Report back to members, unions & employer Action in the workplace Further training

Health & Safety in the Quarrying Industry

(Health and Safety category)

This course is for workforce health and safety representatives from the quarrying industry. It provides an introduction to the Quarries Regulations 1999 for worker reps from the quarrying industry who may include:

• trade union safety reps
• representatives of employee safety
• members of quarry health and safety committees who have been appointed under the Quarries Regulations to monitor workplace safety and health

This course will help safety reps:

• share experiences of hazards at work and the way that workers and their representatives participate in tackling hazards;
• understand the new participation provisions under the Quarries Regulations'99, and the way that they add to existing Regulations;
• develop and practise using the skills required to implement the new participation provisions;
• examine the way that health and safety is managed in their workplace and the level of compliance with the Quarries Regulations 1999 and other key standards;
• develop an action plan for future worker participation, that will help to reduce accidents and ill health in the industry.

Sample 4-day programme

DAY	AM	PM	WORKPLACE ACTIVITY
1	STARTING THE COURSE Introduction and Aims Paired Introductions How the course will work EXPERIENCE FROM THE WORKPLACE Representation, participation and hazards	REPRESENTATION & PARTICIPATION SRSC Regulations 1977 Consultation with Employees Regulations 1996 Regulation 40 and Guidance from the Quarries Regulations 1999.	Finding information from the workplace Surveying workers about health and safety
2	REPRESENTATION & PARTICIPATION Workers views Inspecting the workplace	REPRESENTATION & PARTICIPATION Preparing to inspect Investigating injuries/dangerous occurrences	Inspecting the workplace Obtaining the health and safety document and risk assessments
3	REPRESENTATION & PARTICIPATION Results of the inspections Preparing reports	OPERATORS AND EMPLOYERS' DUTIES HASAWA '74; MHSWR '99 and the Quarries Regulations '99	Obtaining the health and safety document and risk assessments Information about safety committees
4	OPERATORS AND EMPLOYERS' DUTIES Health and safety document and risk assessments Safety committees	FUTURE STRATEGY Action planning Course evaluation Accreditation	Report back to workers, unions employer and other bodies. Action in the workplace Further training

Handling Disciplinaries and Grievances

(Developing Representational Skills category)

This course will help safety reps:

• understand discipline and grievance procedures
• identify some of the reasons for discipline and grievance issues arising at work
• identify a structured approach to note-taking and interviewing
• practice building cases
• use a prepared strategy appropriately

Sample 2-day programme

Day 1	Day 2
Introductions Representation skills Self-assessment ACAS COP Understanding grievance and disciplinary procedures Case study preparation	Interview role-play Building the member's case Hearing preparation The hearing Briefing review Self-Assessment

Successful Negotiating - A Short Course for Union Reps

(Developing Representational Skills category)

This course will help safety reps:

• evaluate the strengths and weaknesses when negotiating with management
• identify the key features of procedural agreements
• identify what skills reps need to carry out effective negotiation with employers
• summarise the main points of preparation for a negotiating meeting with management
• develop negotiating tactics

Sample 3-day programme

Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Introductions Reviewing experiences Workplace procedures	Negotiating skills Representing members Negotiating with management	Negotiating with management Preparing and presenting a case to management Course review

Finding a Work Life Balance - A Short Course for Union Reps

(Developing Representational Skills category)

This course will help reps:

• understand the kind of changes that are happening to the organisation of working time
• think through a range of responses to these changes which benefit employees and employers
• promote partnership working by unions and management to address common problems
• work through a process for agreeing change and achieving work-life balance

Sample 2-day programme

Day 1	Day 2
Introductions Why work-life balance? Working together Involving members What's in it for managers? Involving customers	Learning and work-life balance Alternative work patterns Finding information and resources Planning a project Course review

Developing Workplace Learning

(Promoting Learning category)

This course is designed for learning representatives and union representatives interested in developing workplace learning, including the use of computers and Learndirect. Things you will learn about include:

• what is meant by workplace learning
• how your members could benefit from e-learning*
• using Learndirect as a tool for learning
• learning partnerships and a learning workplace
• workplace learning agreements
• making learning part of wider union activity

Skills for Life* and the Union Role

(Promoting Learning category)

This course will help union learning reps:

• raise awareness at work
• encourage and support individuals and groups of members to improve skills for life
• understand what quality learning assurances members have a free entitlement to
• find out how they can best work with skills for life specialists
• find out the extent and boundaries of the ULR* role
• work with employers to get the best deal for members
• work with providers to get the best deal for members

Sample 3-day programme

Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Skills for life Skills for life - the implications Barriers to progression Job or task analysis	The role of union learning reps Preparing to interview members Encouraging members Finding out learning needs Skills for life in the union	Working with employers Working with providers

Information, Advice and Guidance - the ULR Role

(Promoting Learning category)

This course will help union learning reps:

• understand the role of the union learning representative in information, advice and guidance delivery in the workplace
• understand the quality standards connected with information, advice and guidance
• recognize opportunities for implementing information, advice and guidance at work and plan for them

Sample 3-day programme

Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Introductions What is IAG? Why members want advice and guidance on learning IAG* - best practice	Interviewing members Working with IAG networks	Matrix standards Working with employers Action planning Course evaluation

Workforce Development - The ULR Role

(Promoting Learning category)

This course will help union learning reps:

• demonstrate an understanding of the role of the rep in workforce development
• identify key components of a workforce development plan
• identify the main barriers/drivers in workforce development
• produce an action plan

Working with Members

(Promoting Learning category)

This course will help union learning reps:

• review the learning and skills opportunities available in your workplace.
• explain the equality issues around learning and skills.
• identify individual learning needs and in particular Skills for Life needs.
• understand important initiatives in learning and skills.
• identify what information you need on learning in the workplace.
• understand what is involved in an action plan on learning and skills in the workplace

Sample 3-day programme

Day	Morning	Afternoon	Workplace
1	Introductions Objectives Personal aims	Skills for life	Finding information
	Review of activity 1.2	Skills for life in your workplace
	Review of plan
	Barriers and inequalities
2	Workplace activity report back	Preparing a questionnaire	Interviewing members
	Overcoming the barriers	Interviewing members dos and don'ts
	Recording information
3	Workplace activity report back	Getting members support
	Identifying learning	A trade union plan (can be done by reviewing plan from initial course)
	Learning needs survey	Personal development plan Course review

Working With Employers

(Promoting Learning category)

This course will help union learning reps:

• understand what is meant by a learning workplace.
• identify suitable options for your workplace.
• demonstrate an understanding of union agreements around learning and skills.
• demonstrate an understanding of how your employer identifies training and learning needs.
• demonstrate an understanding of how to negotiate with the employer.
• demonstrate the ability to prioritise issues

Sample 3-day programme

Day	Morning	Afternoon	Workplace
1	Introductions Objectives Personal aims	Planning a learning workplace	Unions and learning OR get participants to access TUC websites to find out more about working in partnership
	Review of activity 1.2 or 3.1	Learning options
	Review of plan
	A learning workplace
2	Report back from workplace activity	Skills for life and equality strategies	How your organisation plans learning and skills development
	Learning agreements	Negotiating case studies
3	Report back from workplace activity	Working towards a workplace learning agreement
	Working in partnership a case study	A trade union plan to improve learning opportunities
		Personal development plan Course review

Negotiating with Employers on Learning

(Promoting Learning Category)

This course will help union learning reps:

• develop and practice negotiating skills as Union Learning Reps
• be more effective team negotiators
• understand the process of negotiating
• be familiar with different styles of negotiating
• understand how to prepare, present and negotiate

develop good practice in negotiations

 

 

Engaging Learners in a Trade Union Learning Centre*

(Capacity Building category)

This course will help union learning reps to:

• contextualise the role of the Trade Union Learning Centre
• understand the support and progression options available to union learning reps and learners
• understand the use of techniques available for engaging learners

Organise! A Voice in Every Workplace

This course will help reps:

• understand and review union organisation, recruitment and retention practices and identify improvements
• practice interviewing and recruitment skills
• become familiar with employment information and resources and how they can be used to advise and inform members
• develop communication and networking skills

Sample 2-day programme

Day 1	Day 2
Introduction Why people join/stay in trade unions Organising and recruitment opportunities Workplace mapping Improving your recruitment skills One-to-one recruitment Advising and keeping members in the union	Different workers, different needs Making the most of union successes Issue-based recruitment and retention Building teams and networks Action planning Course review

Leading on the Collective Agenda

This course for union reps is an optional follow-on module from Stepping Up the TUC Advanced Course, and reps will need to have completed at least The Trade Union Context and Planning, Organising, Campaigning modules before starting this module.

This course will helps reps to develop the confidence to take on new issues, roles or responsibilities in their workplace union set up, within their union generally

Sample 3-day programme

Day 1	Leadership Styles	Leading on Trade Union Issues - what's involved	Involvement in Decision Making	Working Together Effectively - principles and practice
Day 2	Active Listening	Priorities and Time Management	Speaking Out on Issues	Dealing With Opposition
Day 3	Leadership and Discrimination	Leading Discussion	Developing Collective Capacity	What Next?

Trade unions in Europe

This course will help reps:

• review experience and attitudes towards Europe
• understand European Union institutions and organizations
• understand European Union impact on employment rights
• encourage debate on Europe in the workplace

Sample 2-day programme

	Session 1	Session 2	Session 3	Session 4
Day 1	Introductions	Reviewing experience & attitudes towards Europe	EU institutions & organisations	EU impact on employment rights
Day 2	Worker representation in Europe	Evaluating the European social model		Action planning & course review

 

Representing unions on public bodies

The course gets participants to think about and plan their contribution and to be aware of how they can tap into the advice available from the TUC at regional level, as well as providing them with information about the role and functions of SSCs*, LSCs and RDAs*. The inclusion of a session with an existing trade union board member is part of this approach.

This course will help union officers and reps :

• become familiar with the role and functions of SSCs, LSCs and RDAs
• raise awareness of the importance and potential for trade union representatives on these bodies
• enable you to plan how you contribute to these bodies

The course is planned to run for three days, lunch-time on day one to lunch-time on day 4 and the programme consists of:

Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
your union and training the role of the Sector Skills Council Sector Skills Agreements the benefits of working with SSCs	unions and SSCs the TUC and trade union members of Boards Learning & Skills Councils presentation and questions & answers with a trade union board member	trade unions and LSCs RDAs and economic development thinking strategically your training strategy course review

 

Work related upper limb disorders

This course will help safety reps:

• identify the causes and symptoms of WRULDs
• understand the main legal requirements and policies in relation to WRULDs
• make proposals for prevention and control of WRULDs in the workplace

Sample 3-day programme

DAY	AM	PM	ACTION
1	Introductions, aims, agenda setting & how the course will work Reviewing experience Causes and symptoms of WRULDS	The law and work related upper limb disorders Preparation for Workplace Activity	Workplace activity – Hazard Mapping and priorities
2	Report on Hazard Mapping and priorities Risk assessments for WRULDs	Practising ergonomic workplace solutions Information to members on WRULDs Preparation for Workplace Activity	Workplace activity – WRULDs policies Reporting back to members
3	Policies for work related upper limb disorders Negotiating a policy	Trade union strategy, action planning and steps that need to be taken Learning opportunities Course evaluation Accreditation	Report back to members, unions & employer Action in the workplace Further training

Equality in the Workplace

This course will help union learning reps:

• recognize discrimination and inequality
• review what we do and why
• deal with negativity
• identify learner issues

Sample 2-day programme

Day	Morning	Afternoon
1	Introductions Direct & Indirect Discrimination	Discrimination in the Workplace Workplace Mapping
2	Finding Information on the Internet and Keeping Up to Date	Dealing with Prejudice and Misunderstanding Action Planning

Women and Health & Safety

The course will help trade union health and safety representatives to:

• understand symptoms of ill health caused by work
• research and Identify appropriate legislation, policies and information
• recognise problems and opportunities for trade union action to tackle occupational ill health

Sample 3-day programme

PRE-COURSE ACTIVITY
DAY	AM	PM	ACTION
1	Introductions, aims, agenda setting & how the course will work. Important terms Women and health and safety in the workplace Attitudes to women and health and safety	The law and women and health and safety New and expectant mothers Preparation for Workplace Activity	Workplace Activity – Body mapping with women members
2	Report on body mapping with women members Hazard mapping and prioritisation	Priority hazards of women members and standards Preparation for Workplace Activity	Workplace Activity – Policies and risk assessments
3	Evaluating policies from a gender perspective Evaluating gender sensitivity of risk assessments Negotiating role play	Trade union strategy, action planning and steps that need to be taken Learning opportunities Course evaluation Accreditation	Report back to members, unions & employer Action in the workplace Further training

 

How to Work with Providers

This course will help union learning reps:

• understand how providers work
• understand the role of the ULR with the providers
• develop negotiating skills
• understand equality issues around learning
• understand the principles of developing partnerships with learning providers
• plan for the future

Sample 3-day programme

Day	Morning	Afternoon
1	Introductions Experiences of working with providers The Job of the URL and working with providers	How is Training Funded? Priorities and Initiatives (Part 1)
2	Priorities and Initiatives - Benefits to members	Assessing Quality of Providers Partnerships
3	Putting Together a Negotiating Plan Negotiating Skills	Assessing the Options Action Planning and the way forward

Organising & Learning

(Promoting Learning category)

This course will help reps:

• understand the relationship between organising and learning
• understand trade union functions in relation to organising and learning
• recognise the challenges and opportunities of organising and learning
• understand the trade union approach to building links between organising and learning
• develop an action plan
• support the union in their organising strategies

Sample 3-day programme

Pre course activity workplace profile

	Session 1	Session 2	Session 3	Session 4
Day 1	Introductions Objectives Personal aims Review of Experience	Organising Models: Servicing and organising Working Together	Priorities for Learning	The links between learning & organising Workplace report and workplace profile
Day 2	Learning environment Cultures – local, branch, workplace	TU Approach to learning & organising. Case studies	TU Approach to learning & organising. Case studies	Develop best practice Existing & Emerging Issues
Day 3	Overcoming the Challenge	Action Planning	Action Plans Presentation	Course review

 

Dealing with intimidating behaviour

(Health and Safety category)

This course will help safety reps:

• understand the extent and nature of specific intimidating behaviour at work
• understand how legislation, company policy or other requirements relate to specific behaviours at work
• develop a trade union strategy for dealing with intimidation at work

Sample 2-day programme

PRE-COURSE ACTIVITY
DAY	AM	PM	ACTION
1	· Introductions, aims & how the course will work · Types of intimidating behaviour · Identifying legal & other standards	· Identifying legal & other standards (continued) · Risk assessment for intimidating behaviour · Preparation for workplace activity	Workplace activity · Finding information
2	· Policies for dealing with intimidating behaviour · Evaluating preventative measures	Trade union strategy, action planning and steps that need to be taken Further training Course evaluation Accreditation	· Report back to members, unions & employer · Action in the workplace · Further training

Musculoskeletal Disorders - A TUC Short Course

(Health and Safety category)

The course should help trade union health and safety representatives to:

• identify the causes and symptoms of MSDs including WRULDs
• understand the main legal requirements and policies in relation to MSDs including WRULDs
• make proposals for prevention and control of MSDs including WRULDs in the workplace

Sample 2-day programme

PRE-COURSE ACTIVITY
DAY	AM	PM	ACTION
1	· Introduction · Causes and symptoms of MSDs · The law and MSDs	· Risk assessments for MSDs using HSE tools either: - WRULDs or - Manual Handling or - VDU workstations	· Thinking about ways that members are currently informed about MSDs
2	· Practising ergonomic workplace solutions · Preparing Information for members on MSDs · Policies for MSDs	Trade union strategy, action planning and steps that need to be taken Learning opportunities Course evaluation Accreditation	· Report back to members, unions & employer · Action in the workplace · Further training

Pensions Champions at Work

(Pensions category)

This course will help union reps to:

• consider the basic pension environment, examining state pensions, occupational pensions, personal pensions and additional pensions
• become familiar with a range of resources, looking at published materials as well as that available on websites
• make extensive use of the TUC’s online materials, all activities will have an online element
• prepare a presentation to use in workplaces

Smoke free Workplaces

(Health and Safety category)

This course will help trade union health and safety representatives to:

• recognise hazards and risks associated with specific illnesses at work
• understand how legislation company policy or other requirements relate to specific illnesses at work
• understand prevention, control and action measures associated with specific illnesses at work

Sample 3-day programme

PRE-COURSE ACTIVITY
DAY	AM	PM	ACTION
1	Introductions, aims, agenda setting & how the course will work Reviewing experience Illness and second-hand tobacco smoke	A trade union approach to smoking at work Agreeing tasks for a workplace activity	Agreed workplace activity based upon the needs of the participants
2	New Health Act and smoke-free regulations	Smoke-free law and your workplace Second-hand tobacco smoke quiz Preparation for Workplace Activity	Workplace Activity Smoke-free policies and procedures
3	Smoke-free policies and procedures Negotiating a policy to deal with smoke-free workplaces	Trade union strategy, action planning and steps that need to be taken Learning opportunities Course evaluation Accreditation	Report back to members, unions & employer Action in the workplace Further training

Tackling Occupational and Work-related Asthma

(Health and safety category)

This course will help health and safety reps:

• identify the causes of occupational & work-related asthma
• share experiences about occupational & work-related asthma
• find out how the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations and the Asthma Approved Code of Practice can help in the workplace
• tackle priority hazards
• identify the steps that need to be taken to ensure that employers comply with the requirements of the law
• develop an action plan for the prevention of occupational & work-related asthma

Sample 3-day programme

	PRE-COURSE SURVEY
DAY	AM	PM
1	STARTING THE COURSE Introductions and aims How the course will work CAUSES OF ASTHMA AT WORK What is asthma? Symptoms of asthma Results of the pre-course survey of members The top eight causes of occupational asthma and main occupations QUICK ASTHMA QUIZ	KEY POINTS FROM COSHH 2002 AND THE ASTHMA ACOP PREPARING TO INSPECT Preparing an inspection checklist Identifying key items to inspect	WORKPLACE ACTIVITY A special inspection: occupational and work-related asthma
2	SHARING EXPERIENCE FROM ASTHMA INSPECTIONS PRIORITY HAZARDS AND APPLYING STANDARDS Using standards to tackle priority hazards	FINDING INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET USING EH 40 – MEL’s and OES’s	WORKPLACE ACTIVITY Finding information on risk assessments
3	SHARING EXPERIENCES AND IMPROVING EMPLOYER ACTION ON RISK ASSESSMENTS RIDDOR’95, BENEFITS, COMPENSATION AND DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION	FUTURE ACTION ON ASTHMA Action planning and steps that need to be taken by unions and employers in the workplace Course evaluation Accreditation	Report back to members, unions & employer. Action in the workplace Further training

UK Unions and the EU

(Developing Union Perspectives Category)

This course will help reps:

• explore attitudes towards Europe
• develop an understanding of the European Union’s institutions
• develop understanding of the ways in which the EU has had an impact on employment rights for UK workers
• develop an understanding of the ways in which workers are represented in Europe

Sample 2-day programme

	Session 1	Session 2	Session 3	Session 4
Day 1	Introductions	Reviewing experience & attitudes towards Europe	EU institutions & organisations	EU impact on employment rights
Day 2	Worker representation in Europe	Evaluating the European social model		Action planning & course review

Countering the Far Right

(equality category)

This course will help all union reps to develop an understanding of the far right, and to support trade union opposition to the far right.

In particular, the course aims to:

• highlight how far right ideas and activities undermine trade union organisation and harm local communities;
• increase your confidence at challenging far right ideas;
• improve your understanding of the legal framework covering disciplinary action by employers or unions against racists and fascists;
• help you develop local campaigns;
• sign-post sources of relevant information, and other training opportunities.

Skills for Life – The Whole Organisation Approach

(Promoting Learning category)

This course will help union learning reps:

• understand the potential impact of the whole organisation approach
• recognise the ways in which the union rep can support the whole organisation approach
• identify ways of working with employers and providers on the whole organisation approach

Sample 3-day programme

Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Introductions Skills for Life Your workplace/unions – what’s going on? The Whole Organisation Approach	Union Activity Member Activity Training and Development Your Employer and the Whole Organisation Approach	Unions and the Whole Organisation Approach Providers and the Whole Organisation Approach Developing a Workplace Strategy

Supporting learners

This course will help union learning reps:

• understand the role of the union learning representative in supporting learner in the workplace
• develop skills for supporting learners
• identify ways in which other organisations in the network can support learners in the workplace
• understand processes for reviewing and improving practice

Sample 3-day programme

Day	Morning	Afternoon	Workplace
Day 1	Introductions Supporting learners – your role Interviewing members- report back Supporting learners in your workplace	Starting to support a learner Building confidence Active listening Using questions Skills practice – listening and questioning	Pre-course activity –interviewing members
Day 2	Getting help- the network Using the unionlearn* learning and careers advice service – report back Signposting and referral	What next in your union for your members? The different needs of members – equality and diversity Knowing your limits	Using the unionlearn learning and careers advice service
Day 3	Goal setting and action planning Helping members to keep a record	Reflecting and reviewing The matrix standard What next for you? Course evaluation

Climbing Frame for Union Learning Reps

The union learning Climbing Frame* is an easy-to-use electronic tool which allows union learning reps to create pathways of learning and action plans for individuals that can be reviewed and updated as they progress on their learning journey.

It provides up-to-date information and advice for ULRs about a broad range of learning opportunities, and also allows indiv