Education and Training

UNISON provides education and training opportunities for stewards, branch officers and members. UNISON Learning and Organisation Services (LAOS) co-ordinates trade union education and life-long learning opportunities for members. This includes training and development for union reps as well as personal and career development courses ranging from Skills for Life through to professional qualifications. We also offer learning discounts and a small educational grants scheme.

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Training for Stewards at Branch Level

UNISON offers a comprehensive training programme for stewards both at branch and regional level. Our Branch has developed an initial series of training for new stewards which is divided up into three courses:

New Stewards Course
Dealing with Members' Problems Course
Handling Grievances and Disciplinaries

These courses are organised and run by the Branch Education Officer, Viv Shingleton, in conjunction with other Branch Officers and the Regional Officer, Howard Pink. Once trained stewards still have a network of support, receiving comprehensive support and guidance if they need it from Branch Officers and the Regional Officer. Dates for Branch courses this year have yet to be finalised.

Training for Stewards at a Regional Level

Each year, UNISON Northern Region offers an education programme aimed at building on the union's strengths and assisting our activists to become skilled and confident in taking on their responsibilities. Courses include:

The Organising Steward
Health and Safety Reps
Union Learning Reps
Presentation Skills
Return to Learn
Grievances and Disciplinaries
Race Equality
Stress in the Workplace
Pensions
Building Confidence and Assertiveness Skills
Negotiating Skills
Employment Law Updates

Contact Us for further details on all available courses or call Viv Shingleton, Branch Education Officer c/o the UNISON Office on 0191 383 4617 or Keith Hodgson, Regional Education Officer at UNISON's Regional Office in Newcastle on tel: 0191 245 0800.

Grants and Bursaries

The purpose of the scheme is to provide financial help to UNISON members on the trade union and labour studies courses, and to members in general non-vocational education.

There is no support available for vocational courses or professional updating courses. It is appreciated that for many this will be a disappointment, but with limited funds available the NEC decided that support should be concentrated on those areas directly related to the Trade Union Movement or to improve general education. There are four types of award available: bursary, flexible bursary, Open University award and book grant. An explanation of each of these is given below. The UNISON Rule Book sets out the following general qualification and conditions for receipt of an award.

Membership of UNISON for at least 13 weeks prior to the member applying for the grant concerned.
No arrears of subscription.
The member continues to pay all membership subscriptions required throughout the time that they are in education and training supported by the award, unless the NEC dispenses with this requirement in her/his case.

General Points

A member will only be entitled to one award in any one year up to a maximum of 4 awards.
Application forms must be endorsed by the Branch Secretary or Branch Education Officer to confirm membership.
No grant will be paid for any course which is also offered by or similar to one offered by UNISON Open college, eg Dip / Degree Health Care Practice.

Applications must be made on an 'Application for Financial Assistance for Education' form which can be obtained from Ali Cluett at the address above, alternatively you can email a.cluett@unison.co.uk.

Types of assistance available under the scheme

Bursaries to Ruskin College, Northern College, Coleg Harlech, New Battle Abbey (closing date 30 June).
Flexible bursaries for members undertaking courses on trade union or related studies (closing date 30 June).
Open University awards for members undertaking OU courses leading to BA/BSc degrees.
Book grants for trade union or labour studies courses, or non-vocational general education courses.