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Welcome to the Lancashire Branch of Unison

TUC Training Courses provided by Preston College

September - December 2008

For Trade Union & Safety Representatives in Preston and Lancaster

HOW TO APPLY

1. Choose a course from the selection below.

2. Fill in the Application Form and get it approved by a Branch or Full Time Officer.

3. Arrange paid release from your employer to attend the course.

4. Return the Application Form to the address below.

Unison Branch Office,
Room D43,
County Hall,
Preston.
PR1 OLD

Applications for training/seminars/conferences MUST be sent to the Branch - not directly to the provider - for verification by the Branch Education Co-ordinator or Assistant Education Co-ordinator;  expenses will NOT be paid for attendance on courses which have not been approved by the Branch.  Training courses should be selected closest geographically to a steward's workplace or home.

COURSE INFORMATION

(All the courses below are provided free to Trade Union members)

Union Representatives

Stage 1 - 60 hours of guided learning. Five OCN credits at level 1/2. Course contents includes: job of the union rep; building union membership; making and using agreements; representing members; grievance and discipline; your rights and negotiating at work.

Stage 2 - 60 hours of guided learning. Five OCN credits at level 2/3. Course contents includes: change at work; union organisation; bargaining; background to employment law; contract of employment and unfair dismissal.

Health and Safety Representatives

Stage 1 - 60 hours of guided learning. Five OCN credits at level 1/2. Course content includes: role and functions of the Health Service rep; organising for Health and Safety; preventing accidents and ill health; skills of the Health and Safety rep.

Stage 2 - 60 hours of guided learning. Five OCN credits at level 2/3. Course content includes: building a safe and healthy workplace; building Health and Safety organisation; keeping up-to-date on Health and Safety; effecting change on Health and Safety.

Diploma in Contemporary Trade Unionism

Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety

Union Learning Reps: Part One

This five day course trains members to take up the role of Union Learning Rep, developing skills to identify and address learning needs in line with Government Policy.


COURSE DATES

Union Reps Stage 1

10 Wednesdays from 8th October

Stepping Up (Stage 2) - the advanced course for union reps

10 Thursdays from 9th October

Health and Safety Stage 1

10 Mondays from 6th October

Stepping Up (Stage 2) - the advanced course for Health and Safety reps

10 Tusedays from 7th October

Union Learning Representatives

5 Fridays from 10th October
or
5 Tuesdays from 11th November

Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety

36 Tuesdays from 16th September

Diploma in Employment Law

36 Thursdays from 18th September


SHORT COURSES

Disability Champions at Work

2 Thursdays from 23rd October

Skills for Life and the Trade Union Role

2 Tuesdays from 7th October

Introduction to Pensions

3 Wednesdays from 26th November

Understanding Information, Advice and Guidance

2 Tuesdays from 21st October

Organising Case Work

2 Mondays from 6th October

Risk Assessment

2 Wednesdays from 8th October

COSHH

2 Wednesdays from 22nd October

Understanding Workplace Stress

3 Wednesdays from 5th November

Building and Promoting Equality

2 Thursdays from 9th October

Understanding the Law in Collective Bargaining

5 Mondays from 20th October

Understanding Equality for Women

3 Thursdays from 6th November

Understanding the T U Movement for Young Members

3 Thursdays form 27 November

Introduction to ICT for Trade Unionists
(Word processing, Spreadsheets, Databases, Email and Internet for branch activists)

10 Wednesdays (evenings 5.30 - 8.00) from 1st October


Obtaining Release from Work

The granting by the employer of paid release from work for Union Representatives to attend TUC and Union approved courses is a right approved by the Employment Protection Act and Health and Safety legislation. The right is further strengthened by the ACAS Code of Practice on paid release for further training.

If representatives have difficulty in securing release on a regular basis they should seek the support of their Senior representatives or Union Officer.

For further information contact your TUC Regional Education Officer

Peter Holland
Cotton Exchange
Suite 506-510
Old Hall Street
Liverpool
L3 9LQ

Telephone: 0151 236 7678
Fax: 0151 236 2331

or

Andy Birchall
Trade Union Education and Development Unit
5th Floor, Buckingham House,
Glovers Court
Preston PR1 3LS

Tel: 01772 223101
Fax: 01772 223110
Email: abirchall@preston.ac.uk