I’m a UNISON workplace rep, working as a Reprographics Manager in a secondary school. I’ve come to the MA as a result of taking several online TUC Unionlearn courses, including Union Reps 1 and 2, through to the Diploma in Employment Law.

Taking Ruskin Colleges’ MA in International Labour and Trade Union Studies (MA ILTUS) is allowing me to further develop a TUC Unionlearn diploma assignment. Occupational stress is an important subject, which I’m sure most workplace reps have to deal with on a regular basis. I’m investigating the effects of government policies on the education sector and the resulting workplace stress.

I feel the course is wholly relevant to TU reps. The MA ILTUS has covered many topics; enabling students to gain a wider understanding of problems faced at international level (i.e. a workshop on Women in Informal Employment: Globalising and Organising).

Recent workshops have included “Civil liberties and human rights implications of the trade union bill”, “Young workers and trade unions” and “Qualitative data analysis: Overview and issues”. In addition to the wide variety of lectures and workshops we have enjoyed a Levellers Day Trip and a Marxist walk.

I do not have an academic background and have come into further education in my 50s. However, with the extraordinary support of both staff and students at Ruskin College, I’ve now progressed onto year two of the MA.

Taking this course has given me greater confidence and I’m now looking at options to continue in education. Ruskin College is an amazing place to study. If you are a trade union rep, etc., you will enjoy studying with like-minded staff and students in an extremely supportive environment.