Trade Union Education at the WEA London Region

Introduction

The WEA London Region runs a variety of TUC courses aimed at workplace reps. These courses encourage everyone to learn in a friendly, supportive environment and help reps to develop the skills and confidence necessary to be effective in their workplaces.

Courses usually run during the day and always in a Central London location.  Workplace reps, Shop stewards, Staff reps, Health and Safety reps and Learning reps all have legal rights to time off with pay to attend these courses.

Choosing a Course

TUC STAGE 1 and STAGE 2 COURSES

The following courses all involve attending 1 day a week for 10 weeks.  They are run every term (like the school term) and are open to all union reps.  There is also a programme of London Underground specific courses which run concurrently. (please see attached download)

Union Representatives Stage 1

This course helps you develop the skills and knowledge you need to represent your members. Things you will cover include:

• Your responsibilities as a union rep.

• Building and maintaining a strong union organisation

• Handling members' problems

• Disciplinary hearings

• Grievances

• Participating in meetings

• The union structure

• Collective agreements

Stepping Up – Advanced Course (Stage 2)

This course is for union representatives who have completed the Union

Representatives Stage 1 course. Things you will cover include:

*Trade Union Context

*Planning, Organising and Campaigning

• Collective bargaining

• Employment law

• UK and European legal structure

* Changes in the workplace

Health and Safety Stage 1

This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to represent your

members. Things you will cover include:

• Role and responsibilities of the Health & Safety Representative

• Identifying hazards and problems at your workplace

• Improving union organisation on health and safety

• Taking up problems with management

• What the law says about health and safety

Health and Safety Stage 2

This course is for Health and Safety representatives who have completed the Health

and Safety Representatives Stage 1 course. Things you will cover include:

• The changing role of the Health and Safety Representative

• Keeping up to date with new legislation

• Effecting change in Health and Safety

• Management of Health and Safety systems 

TUC CERTIFICATE COURSES

The following TUC Certificate courses are for reps who have completed Stages 1 and 2.

They are accredited as access courses to higher education and involve 1 day a week for 36 weeks or 3 hours a week over 72 weeks. (please see attached download)

Certificate in Contemporary Trade Unionism

This course is for union representatives who have completed Stage 2.

Things you will cover include:

*Development of trade unions in Britain

*Trade Unions today

*The future of trade unions

Certificate in Employment Law

This course is for union representatives who have completed Stage 2.

Things you will cover include:

*Individual rights

*Collective rights

*Advocacy and legal research skills

Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety

This course is for Health and Safety representatives who have completed Stage 2.

Things you will cover include:

*Health, safety, welfare and environmental issues

*Health and safety organization

*Health and safety law

In addition, on all the above courses, participants can develop their communication, study and IT skills whilst working together with others.

TUC SHORT COURSES

In addition to the above core programme we also offer a variety of short courses each term. They vary in length, anything from 1 to 5 days, and are also accredited. Examples include Learning Reps, Employment Law, Health and Safety Law Update, Trade Unions and the Environment, Negotiating Skills. (please see attached programme for this term – download)

Location

All our courses are held in Central London locations, either at our WEA Trade Union and Workplace Learning Centre at 70 Clifton Street EC2A 4HB, or at our London Region offices at 4 Luke Street, London EC2A 4NT (both venues are only a short walk from Old Street and Liverpool Street stations).

Learning

The key to trade union education is the emphasis placed on collective learning. A lot of the work on courses is done in small groups and reps are encouraged to discuss and tackle real issues that they are facing.

The TUC course programme is accredited and reps are able to gain nationally recognised educational credits for the work they do on courses.  There are no exams or tests involved.

Applying for a Course

1. Choose a suitable course from the list; (Download here – 10 day and Certificate Courses – Short Courses)
2. Secure paid release from work to attend the course
3. Fill in the application form, from the above download and get it approved by your branch/full time officer
4. Return your application form to;

             Peter Norfolk, WEA London, 4 Luke Street, London EC2A 4XW

All courses are free for trade union representatives.

Try and apply as early as possible. It makes it easier for us to get all the course details to you before you start.

Further Information:

If you need any advice or further information regarding courses, please do contact;

Pete on 020 7426 1980, e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   or

Monica on 020 7426 1976, e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it