Yorkshire and Humberside. full education programme

Transcription

1 Yorkshire and Humberside full education programme 2016

2 yorkshire & humberside education programme 2016 Introduction Welcome UNISON branches have a key role to play in providing education and training for stewards, safety representatives, learning representatives, branch officers and members. All representatives have a right to expect that the union will provide them with the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to do an effective job. UNISON Branches are expected to contribute money to help fund their education activity. Branches should ensure that information on relevant courses and learning opportunities is readily and regularly available to activists, potential activists and members. (UNISON Code of good branch practice) Welcome to the 2016 Regional Education Programme. Once again we have endeavoured to offer courses to suit everyone, as Lifelong Learning is still high on our agenda. We have courses tailored to the needs of activists and members alike and there are a number of new courses designed to further develop the skills of our activists. In addition to our Regional Education Team, our Regional, Area and Local Organisers are working with branches, among the other organising duties they undertake, to develop Lifelong learning. The programme is designed to help you and your branch. UNISON needs more, better equipped and motivated activists. The courses provided are aimed at building confidence and developing abilities. Courses are available for potential, new and more experienced activists seeking to improve their knowledge and skills. We are sure that both you and UNISON will benefit from the experience. It is never too late to learn. Branch development is vital in recruiting, organising and retaining members. We are constantly striving to increase membership and provide a better service. Increasing membership and developing new activists from all sectors of the union will make us stronger and more representative of our members. It is now 6 years since the Regional Council decided to increase the charges to branches of training courses and I am pleased to be able to report that the charges will remain unchanged for Unfortunately there have been significant cuts to general further education funding and TUC funding has also been drastically cut. As a result of effective lobbying by the TUC, the previous Coalition government s intention to remove fee remission was postponed to August 2016 thus enabling the region to keep charges to branches unchanged. Beyond this date future funding arrangements and charges to branches may change. No one should be out of pocket attending UNISON courses. Branches and the Region contribute towards the cost of courses. Additional travel costs and additional carer costs can be claimed from your branch (details of help can be found in the programme). This year for clarity we are also issuing a separate Members Only Training Programme detailing the courses, workshops and tasters available to non-activists. You can obtain a copy of this from your Branch Education Co-ordinator or Branch Secretary. It is also available on the UNISON regional website UNISON courses are friendly, relaxed and provide an opportunity to meet new friends, they allow you to network with colleagues from other branches and to gain from their knowledge and experience. Working together with other Trade Unionists to achieve a common goal is an opportunity not to be missed and an experience to be grabbed with both hands! Please enjoy our courses and don t be afraid to let us know what you think of them, all comments will be carefully considered and used to assist us improve our training programme. Wendy Nichols Regional Convenor 2

3 find all our courses at Introduction Introduction This programme is designed to help you get the education and training you need to be active in UNISON. The aim of the training is to help you in whatever union role you have whether you are starting out, or taking on a new role, or have been involved for some time. Our education and training aims to meet the organising challenge and the priorities set by Regional Council by helping you: apply the skills you have to your trade union role and develop new skills where you want to; develop your understanding of workplace issues for sharing with your members; explore what it means to be an activist in an organising union; get the support you need through quality training. Our courses aim to help meet the organising challenge in UNISON, and develop UNISON as an organising union so that we: welcome and involve new members; base our bargaining agenda on members needs; do things with members, not simply for them; encourage members to be workplace reps at a level they are comfortable with; work through a strong and effective network of local reps; organise around the collective dimension to individual problems. Practicalities What are our courses like? Our courses are friendly and informal and are aimed at making learning a fun rather than a daunting experience. Everybody s views and experiences are listened to. Much of the time is spent working in small groups. You won t be lectured to or suddenly be called to give answers. Child Care We provide crèche facilities on weekend residential courses when child care is needed (you need to ask for this at least two weeks prior to the course). A carers allowance may be paid where care costs have been incurred in addition to those normally paid by the member. If you need child or dependant care to be provided at home please let us know as soon as you can. A detailed form will be issued to you for completion. UNISON S policy is to use training venues which are fully accessible for those members with disabilities and we make every effort to do so. However facilities for disabled members do vary between venues so please let us know relevant details of your disability when booking a place. If you require a facilitator in order for you to take part then you need to tell us on the booking form who they are so we can book accommodation for them if necessary. Ramadan For those members attending courses during Ramadan the course tutors will liaise with the member and the training venue to ensure that food is available at the appropriate time for the member to break their fast. Course Fees There is no cost to members attending any union courses. Course fees will be charged to your Branch on a subsidised basis. Expenses In line with your own Branch policy, you may reclaim travel and additional child care Continued overleaf 3

4 yorkshire & humberside education programme 2016 Introduction Practicalities continued... Application forms: Complete the form, send to your Branch for authorisation. The Branch will then help you to apply for time off from your employer. The closing date for each course is marked in the programme however, if you need to know whether you have a place allocated on the course before the closing date please contact the Regional Education Administrator on expenses from Branch funds. You are advised to find out what you may claim before attending the course. Time Off Members should contact their Branch Secretary or Branch Education Coordinator regarding time off to attend trade union courses. Time off with pay is normally available to stewards/ representatives to attend trade union courses. However, not all courses attract time off with pay. Also some of our courses are open to any member and they are therefore not normally eligible for time off. If you are in doubt, contact your Branch Secretary/Branch Education Co-ordinator. Additional Needs If you have additional needs such as a requirement for a loop system or special dietary requirements, please let us know as soon as possible so that this can be arranged. Course Times Non-residential courses usually begin at 9.30am and finish at 4.30pm. Two night weekend residential courses normally start with a session at 6.30pm on Friday and finish at lunchtime on Sunday. One night residential courses normally commence at 9.30am Saturday and finish around lunchtime on Sunday. These times may vary slightly and you will be notified of course times when you are offered a place on the course. Closing Dates are indicated for each course. Late applications may mean the course has to be cancelled or child/dependant care cannot be organised. Most courses have to operate on a minimum of 10 applicants, so please, don t delay, send your form in today. Additional Courses If you wish to apply for more than one course, application forms may be photocopied. Venues Most of our residential courses are run at venues where meals are provided and where special diets are catered for if you let us know in advance. Whenever possible, residential accommodation is usually on a non-shared basis. Non-residential venues vary, but generally will include access to tea/coffee facilities and meals whenever possible. Atmosphere The Yorkshire & Humberside Region prides itself on the fact that our courses are relaxed, informal and supportive, so you are invited to dress at all times for comfort. Cancellations If, for any reason you find that you cannot attend a course on which you have been allocated a place, it is essential that you contact us immediately. Whatever your reason for cancelling it may mean that another member can be offered a place or that you can be accommodated in some other way. But, failure to notify us will mean that your Branch is asked to pay the full cost of your place on the course. If you do not attend and do not give adequate notice, your Branch will be automatically notified and charged. If course attendees or branches cancel a place more than 2 weeks before the course is due to take place, then no charge will be made to branches, as the Region should not have incurred any charge at that stage. (Although a cancellation at this stage may result in low numbers of attendees, which may mean the course having to be cancelled.) If course attendees or branches cancel a place less than 2 weeks before the course is due to take place, then the branch will be charged the full course fee. Where a course participant does not attend the course and has not informed the regional education administrator prior to the start of the course, then the branch will be charged the full cost of the course. We would urge all branches to contact us as soon as possible if they do have a cancellation, as we may then be able to offer the place to another activist or member. Further Information If you need any further information, or you have any queries about this programme, please contact: Regional Education Administrator UNISON Y&H Regional Centre Commerce House, Wade Lane, Leeds, LS2 8NJ Tel:

5 find all our courses at How to find your way around this programme This programme is divided into sections with courses listed in each section. For activists who want to go on Learning Passport courses look out for the Passport logo this means that the course will count towards completing your passport. If you have any queries about this please contact our Education Administrator Tanya Shearer on CORE SKILLS/PASSPORT COURSES These courses help with the first steps as a union activist. Courses in this section include: The Organising Steward s Course, Developing Representation Skills, Negotiating Skills, Confidence Skills for Activists, Health and Safety Representatives, UNISON Learning Representative, Equalities in Your Branch. RUNNING THE BRANCH These are courses aimed at people who have taken on roles involved in running the Branch: Branch Secretary, Treasurer, other Branch Officer positions. MEMBERS & WOMEN ONLY COURSES The Women s courses are run on a women-only basis, and include: Building Confidence in Women and Women s Assertiveness courses. Other courses for members include: Return to Learn and Lifelong Learning, Confidence Building (Power to be You) and Coping with Change. NEGOTIATING WITH YOUR EMPLOYER AND CASEWORK SKILLS We encourage all stewards and reps to help members with representation in their own workplace. We have a range of courses to help with casework including: Employment Law courses and Procurement Training. DEVELOPING YOUR SKILLS These are skills-based courses aimed at activists who wish to develop the skills they need to carry out their role within UNISON. They include: Mentoring & Strategic Campaigning and an introduction to Public Sector Pensions. SELF ORGANISED GROUPS & YOUNG MEMBERS FORUM This year there will be a one day training course for each of the four self organised groups and for Young Members. APPLICATION FORMS Residential and Non Residential Form. Introduction Page No

6 yorkshire & humberside education programme 2016 Core Skills/ Passport Courses Core skills/passport courses Courses in this section are aimed at members who have recently become active in the union and who are looking to take up or maybe develop their role as a steward or Branch official. These courses make up the first stage in activist training and are passport courses. There are three Passport Routes Steward, Health & Safety and UNISON Learning Rep. The Organising Steward If you are a new steward then this is an essential course for you. This course looks at what the roles of the steward are and gives you the skills, knowledge and understanding to carry out these roles such as, recruiting members and involving them in the union and how to work with members to tackle problems at work. This courses covers: Recruiting members; How to raise issues in UNISON; Interviewing members; Keeping members informed; Proportionality and fair representation; Understanding your grievance & disciplinary procedures. This course should be the starting point of your training. You should also consider other courses at this level (Core Skills/Passport Courses) and refer to your Steward s Passport for more information. You might also wish to look at the Equal Opportunities section of this programme. When you have completed this course stewards will be issued with ERA credentials. Dates: Mon Fri 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 February 2016 (Apply by: 4 January 2016) Mon Fri 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 March 2016 (Apply by: 5 February 2016) Mon Fri 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 April 2016 (Apply by: 18 March 2016) Mon Fri 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 June 2016 (Apply by: 9 May 2016) Mon Fri 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 July 2016 (Apply by: 24 June 2016) Mon Fri 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 September 2016 (Apply by: 5 August 2016) Mon, Tue 3, 4 and Mon Wed 10, 11, 12 October 2016 (Apply by: 2 September 2016). Non-residential Mon Fri 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 November 2016 (Apply by: 14 October 2016) The residential courses are for 4 nights and will be at Northern College, Barnsley. Participants can attend on a Day Delegate basis (no accommodation) but there will be no reduction in cost to Branches. NOTE: All Stewards must attend an ERA re-accreditation refresher course no later than every 5 years. Cost to Branches: 150 residential, 100 non residential. The October dates are non residential. 6

7 find all our courses at The Organising Steward Online Version Who is it for? Any new steward who is unable to attend one of our face to face Organising Stewards courses (because of work patterns / domestic commitments) When will it start? The courses are due to start on either : Tues 12 January 2016 (Apply by 5 January 2016) Tues 19 April 2016 (Apply by 12 April 2016) Mon 19 September 2016 (Apply by 12 Sept 2016) Core Skills/ Passport Courses This course will help you: understand the role of an organising union in public services recognise the importance of equalities in UNISON work with members to tackle issues in the workplace work with members in resolving cases know where and when to seek advice and guidance understand how procedures work in practice handle grievance and disciplinary and similar types of cases as the representative of UNISON members within your workplace be certified as competent to accompany members at a disciplinary and grievance hearing in order to comply with current employment legislation understand the broader roles in which UNISON operates, including internationally. What will an on-line course involve? The course will use the same high quality materials, the same tutor support, the same networking with other UNISON stewards but on-line from your workplace or local/ employer learning centre. It will be delivered in a friendly, encouraging way by expert tutors. You will access the course via the Internet and work interactively on tasks with tutors and other course participants. You will need to spend approx 3 hours a week over a 9 week period. How will the on-line course work? You will spend the first 3 weeks learning how to use the system by doing the Getting Ready for E Learning (GREL) course. This will ensure that you are confident to use the ultra-reliable and user friendly learning environment. You will then start the course proper. We may be able to arrange a get together before the course starts, depending on logistics. Do I need good IT skills to take part? The starting point will be the ability to send an and know how to access the internet. The GREL part will then take you through what you will need to know. Continued overleaf 7

8 yorkshire & humberside education programme 2016 The Organising Steward Online Version (continued) Core Skills/ Passport Courses How much will it cost? The course is free to you. Your branch will pay the course fee. Will I get paid time off? On-line learning should not be seen as an alternative to paid release from work. The law that says trade union reps are entitled to reasonable paid time off for education and training still applies to on-line courses, whether learning takes place away from work or in work, at your workstation or your employer s learning centre. Talk to your manager about what makes sense for you. How do I apply? For the application form, go to: Complete and return no later than 4 weeks before the start date of the course. Please also tell your manager that you have applied. When will I hear if I have a place? By no later than 2 weeks before the course starts. The Organising Steward Blended Learning This course is now available for the first time in a blended form combining the online course with two residential weekends. The course content is the same as described above for the online version and uses the same high quality materials. See the Online Version above for details. Residential Dates: Fri Sun 15, 16, 17 January 2016 Fri Sun 12, 13, 14 March 2016 Venue: Northern College Cost to Branches: 150 8

9 find all our courses at Health and Safety Representatives This course is essential for new Health and Safety representatives or for those Health and Safety representatives who have more experience but who haven t yet had the chance to go on this course. This is a five day course, which will give you the knowledge and confidence to look at: What is the job and rights of a health and safety representative? How do you interview a member? How do you start to prepare a case? How do you carry out a Health and Safety inspection? Core Skills/ Passport Courses Dates: Mon Fri 29 February, 1, 2, 3, 4 March 2016 (Apply by: 29 January 2016) Mon Fri 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 July 2016 (Apply by: 3 June 2016). Non residential Mon Fri 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 October 2016 (Apply by: 16 September 2016) The residential courses are for 4 nights and will be at Northern College, Barnsley. Note: Participants can attend on a Day Delegate basis (no accommodation) but there will be no reduction in cost to branches. Cost to Branches: 150 residential, 125 non residential (UNISON Regional Centre, Leeds). Mental Health Awareness At Work This is a new course available this year for Branch Health and Safety Representatives. The aims of the course are to: Examine what we mean by mental illness Look at what employers can do to maintain mental health at work Identify some of the common signs and symptoms of poor mental health in the workplace Discuss and explore strategies for intervention and support for members experiencing mental ill health Understand what causes stress for us in our union roles Review strategies for coping with stress Date: Friday 11 March 2016 (Apply by: 8 February 2016) The course will equip representatives to look at what branches can do to influence the actions of employers to the benefit of our members. Venue: This courses is non residential and will be held at UNISON Regional Centre, Leeds. Cost to Branches: 25 9

10 yorkshire & humberside education programme 2016 UNISON Learning Representative Core Skills/ Passport Courses 5 Day Open College Accredited Course This course is intended to provide training in the role of the Union Learning Rep. Are you interested in encouraging learning in your workplace? If yes, you could be a Union Learning Rep and help to change people s lives. Once you have been nominated as a Learning Rep by your Branch, the next step is to attend a Learning Rep s course. The role of the Learning Rep is to promote UNISON s Lifelong Learning Agenda and to encourage non-traditional learners in the workplace to enter into learning opportunities both in the workplace and wider community. The Employment Act 2002 gave Union Learning Reps paid release to train and carry out duties in the same way as Stewards and Health & Safety representatives. If you would like to find out more, talk to your Branch Education Co-ordinator, or Regional Learning and Development Officer. Dates: Mon Fri 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 June 2016 (Apply by: 20 May 2016) Mon Fri 31 October, 1, 2, 3, 4 November 2016 (Apply by: 30 Sept 2016) Venue: This courses is non residential and will be held at UNISON Regional Centre, Leeds. Cost to Branches: 125 Equality in Your Branch This course is aimed for existing and newly elected Branch Equality Representatives and Co-ordinators. It is also useful for any Branch Officers and Activists. The overall aim of this course is to help course members to: Promote equality in their branch Promote equality in the workplace Understand the role of Branch Equality Co-ordinators Date: Wed Thu 8, 9 June 2016 (Apply by: 6 May 2016) Venue: This courses is non residential and will be held at UNISON Regional Centre, Leeds. This course includes 4 nights residential and will be held at Northern College, Barnsley. Participants can attend on a Day Delegate basis (no accommodation) but there will be no reduction in cost to Branches. Cost to Branches: 50 Negotiating Skills for Activists (ERA Re-accreditation Course) This course is aimed at all activists and will equip you for negotiating with managers at a local level. The course looks at: Understanding the process of negotiating; Becoming familiar with different styles of negotiating; Working effectively as part of a negotiating team; Understanding how to prepare, present and negotiate on an issue; Developing and practising negotiating skills. 10

11 find all our courses at Dates: Mon Fri January 2016 (apply by: 18 December 2015) Mon Fri September 2016 (apply by: 19 August 2016) Please note: You may only attend this course if you have already done the Organising Steward course, the Health and Safety Reps course, the UNISON Learning Reps Course, or the TUC equivalent (stage 1). Cost to Branches: 150 Developing Representation Skills ERA Re-accreditation Course This is a two day course aimed at people who have some experience of helping to prepare a disciplinary case for members. We use a video case study to help develop the skills of advocacy and cross-examination in disciplinary hearings. This course looks at when do we and when don t we represent members. How do we get all the information we need from a member. How do we make use of procedures. Core Skills/ Passport Courses Please note: You may only attend this course if you have already done the UNISON Organising Steward course, or the TUC equivalent (stage 1). This course is suitable for those stewards who need to attend a refresher course. Dates: Thu Fri 3, 4 March 2016 (Apply by: 5 February 2016) Tue Wed 6, 7 September 2016 (Apply by: 5 August 2016) All courses are non-residential and held at Regional Centre, Commerce House, Leeds. Cost to Branches: 50 Confidence Skills for Activists This course is aimed at Stewards, ULRs and Health & Safety reps. It will help you develop the communication skills you need to do your job as an activist. Do you worry about speaking to managers? Are you sometimes lost for words at a meeting? Don t know how to face an angry member or manager? Don t know the most effective way to put your thoughts into words? This course is aimed to reverse this situation and you should go away with the skills you need to become a more confident person and activist. You should be able to represent yourself and members more effectively. Dates: Thursday, 25 February 2016 (Apply by: 25 January 2016) Wednesday, 9 November 2016 (Apply by: 10 October 2016) Continued overleaf 11

12 yorkshire & humberside education programme 2016 These courses are non-residential and will be held at UNISON Regional Centre, Commerce House, Leeds. Cost to Branches: 25 Core Skills/ Passport Courses UNISON Workplace Reps Refresher Course (ERA Re-accreditation Course) This two-day course is aimed at UNISON Workplace Representatives and Branch Officers who have completed their first stage course (The Organising Steward s Course) or the TUC 10 day course, some time in the past. It is designed to meet the requirements of the Employment Rights Act (ERA) re-accreditation. The purpose of the course is to update representatives on new developments both in UNISON and in the Law. Dates: Mon Tues 6, 7 June 2016 (Apply by: 6 May 2016) Mon Tues 7, 8 November 2016 (Apply by: 7 October 2016) Venue: These courses are non residential and will be held at Northern College, Barnsley. Cost to Branches: 100 UNISON and Lifelong Learning UNISON believes that learning has a big impact on members lives in the workplace and elsewhere and so we are committed to lifelong learning. This may take the form of learning partnerships with employers or on courses run by UNISON with the Workers Education Association (WEA). UNISON together with the WEA run a programme of courses. This includes UNISON s award winning Return to Learn programme which is designed for members who have few or no qualifications and who want to return to education. The course covers skills for life and is run in small study groups supported by an experienced tutor. It can lead to a range of other training opportunities. Return to Learn Return to Learn consists of 16 study group sessions run in the evening for two and a half hours and one residential weekend. What is Return to Learn? Return to Learn is not about going back to school. It is a course specifically designed for adults who have been away from learning for a long time but would now like to take up new learning opportunities. The course is delivered on behalf of UNISON by the Workers Educational Association (WEA). What s in the course? Return to Learn will help you develop your skills and give you confidence in four key areas: Writing, Investigating/ Research, Analysing and Problem Solving and Working with Numbers. Where facilities are available you will also be able to learn basic computer skills. Who is it for? Return to Learn is for adults of all ages and past students have come from a variety of backgrounds. They have found that it helps them both in their jobs and outside work with things like report writing, case notes, and job applications. You must be a UNISON member to apply. 12

13 find all our courses at Return to Learn (continued) What will it involve? You will join on a regular study group which meets once every one / two weeks in the evening at a local venue. You will have a tutor to help and advise you throughout the course. There will also be one residential weekend school. Return to Learn is FREE! This is a course for UNISON members only and all costs and expenses will be paid for by UNISON including workbooks, travel expenses and the residential. Core Skills/ Passport Courses Women s Lives Women s Lives consists of 10 two-hour study group sessions and one residential weekend. What s it all about? Women s Lives is not about going back to school. It is a course specifically designed for women who have been away from learning for a long time but would now like to take up new learning opportunities. The course is delivered on behalf of UNISON by the Workers Educational Association (WEA). What s in the course? Women s Lives will help you develop your skills and give you confidence in Writing, Investigating/ Research, Analysing and Problem Solving. The course looks at issues of interest to women and draws on your experiences at work and home. Who is it for? Women s lives is for women of all ages and past students have come from a variety of backgrounds. They have found that it helps them both in their jobs and outside work. You must be a UNISON member to apply. What will it involve? You will join on a regular study group which meets once every one/two weeks in the evening at a local venue. You will have a woman tutor who will run the study group, help advise you and give you feedback. The sessions aim to be informal and friendly. There will also be one residential weekend school. Women s Lives is FREE! This is a course for women UNISON members only and all costs and expenses will be paid for by UNISON including workbooks, travel expenses and all the costs associated with the weekend school. We will be recruiting for Return to Learn and Women s Lives across Yorkshire & Humberside at which point locations and dates of courses will be confirmed. If you would like to register your interest to attend one of these courses please contact our Education Administrator on , quoting your membership number. Learning Reps There is now legislation to allow time off with pay for learning reps so that they can carry out their duties. Learning reps work as part of the Branch structure to develop a learning strategy and to negotiate with employers to ensure that workers are given the opportunities to train and get the skills they need. Full training is given for UNISON Learning Reps. If you would like further details please contact our Education Administrator on

14 yorkshire & humberside education programme 2016 Branch Officer Courses These courses are designed for Branch Officials and Committee Members who have taken on responsibilities at Branch level (as compared with the workplace responsibilities of stewards and safety reps). The courses will help develop the knowledge and skills needed for different Branch roles, and will put them in the context of the organising approach. Running The Branch Branch Secretary Aimed at new Branch Secretaries or those who haven t attended training for some time. This course will help with the organising and administration part of the job. It will focus on building the Branch around the organising model. Once this course has been completed, Branch Secretaries will be eligible for the remaining 5 courses, which should be completed over an 18 month period and covers such topics as managing the branch, organising, representation and bargaining and leadership. Full details are available on page 16. Equalities in your Branch Open to all Branch Equalities Officers and Branch Officers for Self Organised Groups, this course will look at the role of the Equalities Officer, how to organise for equalities in Branches. It will also look at equalities as a bargaining and campaigning issue. Branch Education Co-ordinator Good education within the Branch is vital for making local organisation work. This course is for Branch Education Officers and will look at how to identify your Branch education needs, how to budget for education and how to encourage and support representatives in training. Chairing Meetings The course is aimed at anyone who has to chair a formal trade union meeting, whether it be a Branch meeting, Branch Committee, Working Group or Self Organised Group. Find out how to practise the skills needed to run a meeting so as to be fair to all participants. This is suitable for all activists but especially Branch Chairs. Health and Safety Officer This course covers the strategic role of organising Health and Safety reps and members around health and safety issues. It is not suitable for Health and Safety representatives who have not had any training or have just been trained. The course will look at the role of safety reps and the Branch, investigating hazards and members complaints, agreements with the employer and future planning. Communications Officer This course is mainly for those Branch activists who are already, or who wish to become involved in Branch publicity, producing leaflets, newsletters and Branch magazines. The course will be practical-based drawing on the skills of UNISON s publicity department. It will cover writing copy, headlines and captions, using photographs and cartoons and how to use layout to the best effect to produce finished newsletters using computers and modern technology. 14

15 find all our courses at Labour Link Officer This course is intended to equip Labour Link Officers with the tools they need to undertake their role. The aims of the course are: To understand why politics are important in the branch; To develop skills to encourage interest in political activity in the branch; To understand and respond to issues about Labour Link; To understand Labour Link procedures; To develop effective skills around campaigning. Lifelong Learning Co-ordinator This course will give Branch Lifelong Learning Co-ordinators the skills they need to carry out their role. The course will focus on: How to organise around learning; How to co-ordinate the activities of ULRs within the branch; How to ensure learning is linked into the branch s organising, bargaining and equalities work. Running The Branch Branch International Officer This course will examine in detail the role and function of Branch International Officers and how we can make international solidarity a reality not just a slogan. The course will look at UNISON s international priorities, the effect of globalisation on developing countries and how branch-based activities can make a difference. Dates for Branch Officer Courses All the above Branch Officer courses will take place on the following date: Dates: Sat, Sun 21, 22 May 2016 (Apply by: 15 April 2016) Branch Officer courses are one night residential and will be held at the DoubleTree By Hilton Hotel, Leeds. Note: Please ensure you indicate the specific Course Title on your application form e.g. Branch Secretary. Cost to Branches:

16 yorkshire & humberside education programme 2016 Branch Leadership Programme for Branch Secretaries 2016 Running The Branch This programme has been designed to support and development new branch secretaries. There are a number of courses as part of the programme. The course tutor will be someone who either has experience of the role of Branch Secretary or who works closely with UNISON Branches and Branch Secretaries. Trade Union Education aims to help you develop confidence and practical skills, and to put the knowledge you gain during the course to good effect in your branch and workplace. To achieve this, the course is organised in an active way that will give us all an opportunity to have a say, as well as listen to others. Therefore, you will often be working in small groups. Whilst this course is primarily aimed at Branch Secretaries, on request other Branch Officers will be considered. This programme contains a total of 6 separate courses: Branch Secretary Managing the Branch Organising, Representation and Bargaining Mentoring Strategic Campaigning Leadership Branch Secretaries must attend the Branch Secretary course which is run as part of Branch Officer Training before completing any of the 5 remaining modules. This year we will be running the following courses: Managing the Branch Dates: Wed Thu 3, 4 February 2016 (Apply by 8 January 2016) Cost to Branches: 50 Leadership What does it mean to be a leader in a branch or at regional level, why understanding the culture is important. Leadership characteristics, identify areas of influence, developing leadership skills and succession planning in the branch. Dates: Tue Wed 28, 29 June 2016 (Apply by 27 May 2016) Cost to Branches: 50 All courses are non-residential and will be held at UNISON Regional Centre, Commerce House, Leeds. Strategic Campaigning This course looks at effective campaigns, what makes a good campaign issue, developing your message, targets and allies, devising your organising strategy and actions. Date: Tue 20 September 2016 (Apply by 22 August 2016) Cost to Branches 25 Mentoring The course includes understanding what mentoring is, developing key mentoring skills including listening and questioning and the importance of Branch strategy on mentoring. Dates: Wed Thu 5, 6 October 2016 (Apply by 5 September 2016) Cost to Branches 50 16

17 find all our courses at Branch Officer Training for Branch Treasurers UNISON has developed an Online Branch Accounting System together with a new training programme for Branch Treasurers. The Region has, with the agreement of National Finance, agreed to run a number of training courses where branches will be shown how to: 1. migrate their current financial records into the online system 2. use the system to record receipts and payments 3. complete a bank reconciliation 4. enter debtors and creditors 5. produce reports for committees 6. produce your income and expenditure account and balance sheets 7. produce the annual financial return 8. bespoke the system for your branch Each delegate attending will have access to a PC or Laptop with Internet access. They will be given a migration spreadsheet which each branch MUST complete before the start of the course. We will also issue a list of things that delegates MUST bring with them onto the course. Running The Branch All Branch Treasurers must attend a one day Branch Treasurer Online Accounting (OLBA) Course before attending the follow on Branch Officer Training for Branch Officers. Branch Treasurer Online Accounting (OLBA) Course Dates: Tuesday 19 April 2016 (Apply by: 21 March 2016) Wednesday 20 April 2016 (Apply by: 21 March 2016) Monday 11 July 2016 (Apply by: 10 June 2016) Tuesday 12 July 2016 (Apply by: 10 June 2016) Cost to Branches: 25 Finance and the Organised Branch Date: Thursday, 22 September 2016 (Apply by: 22 August 2016) Cost to Branches: 25 All above one day courses are non-residential and are held at UNISON Regional Centre, Commerce House, Leeds Continued on page 20 17

18 Calendar of Courses 2016 COURSE TITLE PAGE START DATE Organising Steward Online Version Passport 28 Tuesday, 12 January 2016 Organising Steward Blended Learning Passport 7 Friday, 15 January 2016 January An Introduction to Public Sector Pension (Distance Learning) 8 Monday, 18 January 2016 Negotiating Skills for Activists Passport 10 Monday, 18 January 2016 Building Confidence in Women 22 Friday, 29 January 2016 Organising Steward Passport 6 Monday, 1 February 2016 Managing the Branch 16 Wednesday, 3 February 2016 February Employment Law: Introduction to Employment Law 26 Wednesday, 10 February 2016 Employment Law: Introduction to Contracts of Employment 26 Thursday, 11 February 2016 Confidence Skills for Activists Passport 11 Thursday, 25 February 2016 Health & Safety Representatives Passport 9 Monday, 29 February 2016 Developing Representation Skills Passport 11 Thursday, 3 March 2016 Organising Steward Passport 6 Monday, 7 March 2016 Mental Health Awareness Passport 9 Friday, 11 March 2016 March Women s Assertiveness 22 Friday, 11 March 2016 Discussion Leader 29 Wednesday, 16 March 2016 Introduction to the Local Government Pension Scheme 28 Wednesday 23 March 2016 Introduction to the NHS Pension Scheme 28 Thursday 24 March 2016 Organising Steward Passport 6 Monday, 18 April 2016 Organising Steward Online Version Passport 7 Tuesday, 19 April 2016 April Branch Treasurer Online Accounting (OLBA) Training 17 Tuesday, 19 April 2016 Branch Treasurer Online Accounting (OLBA) Training 17 Wednesday, 20 April 2016 Building Confidence in Women 22 Friday, 22 April 2016 May Branch Officer Training 14 Saturday, 21 May 2016 UNISON Workplace Reps Refresher Passport 12 Monday 6 June 2016 Equality in Your Branch Passport 10 Wednesday, 8 June 2016 Organising Steward Passport 6 Monday, 13 June 2016 June Procurement Training 26 Tuesday, 14 June 2016 UNISON Learning Representatives Passport 10 Monday, 20 June 2016 Women s Assertiveness 22 Friday, 24 June 2016 Leadership 16 Tuesday, 28 June 2016 Health & Safety Representatives Passport 9 Monday, 4 July 2016 July Branch Treasurer Online Accounting (OLBA) Training 17 Monday, 11 July 2016 Branch Treasurer Online Accounting (OLBA) Training 17 Tuesday, 12 July 2016 Organising Steward Passport 6 Monday, 25 July 2016 Confidence Building (Power to be You) 21 Monday, 5 September 2016 Organising Steward Passport 6 Monday, 5 September 2016 Developing Representation Skills Passport 11 Tuesday, 6 September 2016 Building Confidence in Women 22 Friday, 16 September 2016 Negotiating Skills for Activists Passport 10 Monday, 19 September 2016 September Organising Steward Online Version Passport 7 Monday, 19 September 2016 Strategic Campaigning 14/27 Tuesday, 20 September 2016 Finance and the Organising Branch 17 Thursday, 22 September 2016 Employment Law: Introduction to Work Life Balance 26 Monday, 26 September 2016 Employment Law: Introduction to Disability Discrimination Law 26 Tuesday, 27 September 2016 Employment Law: Introduction to Race & Sex Discrimination Law 26 Wednesday, 28 September 2016 Organising Steward Passport 6 Monday, 3 October 2016 Mentoring 16/27 Wednesday, 5 October 2016 October Team Building 20 Saturday, 15 October 2016 Health & Safety Representatives Passport 9 Monday, 17 October 2016 Confidence Building (Power to be You) 21 Wednesday, 19 October 2016 UNISON Learning Representatives Passport 10 Monday, 31 October 2016 UNISON Workplace Reps Refresher Passport 12 Monday, 7 November 2016 Confidence Skills for Activists Passport 11 Wednesday, 9 November 2016 November Organising Steward Passport 6 Monday, 14 November 2016 Confidence Building (Power to be You) 21 Friday, 18 November Women s Assertiveness 22 Friday, 18 November 2016

19 COURSE DATES CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS RESIDENTIAL DETAILS VENUE 12 January February 2016 Tuesday, 5 January 2016 Distance Learning Distance Learning January 2016 & February 2016 Monday, 14 December 2015 Residential & Distance Learning Northern College 18 January April 2016 Monday, 11 January 2016 Distance Learning Distance Learning 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 January 2016 Friday, 18 December Nights Residential Northern College 29, 30, 31 January 2016 Friday, 18 December Nights Residential DoubleTree by Hilton, Leeds 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 February 2016 Monday, 4 January Nights Residential Northern College 3, 4 February 2016 Friday, 8 January 2016 Non-Residential Commerce House 10 February 2016 Monday, 11 January 2016 Non-Residential Commerce House 11 February 2016 Monday, 11 January 2016 Non-Residential Commerce House 25 February 2016 Monday, 25 January 2016 Non-Residential Commerce House 29 February, 1, 2, 3, 4 March 2016 Friday, 29 January Nights Residential Northern College 3, 4 March 2016 Friday, 5 February 2016 Non-Residential Commerce House 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 March 2016 Friday, 5 February Nights Residential Northern College 11 March 2016 Monday, 8 February 2016 Non-Residential Commerce House 11, 12, 13 March 2016 Monday, 8 February Nights Residential DoubleTree by Hilton, Leeds 16, 17, 18 March 2016 Monday, 15 February 2016 Non-Residential Commerce House 23 March 2016 Monday, 22 February 2016 Non-Residential Commerce House 24 March 2016 Monday, 22 February 2016 Non-Residential Commerce House 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 April 2016 Friday, 18 March Nights Residential Northern College 19 April June 2016 Tuesday, 12 April 2016 Distance Learning Distance Learning 19 April 2016 Monday, 21 March 2016 Non-Residential Commerce House 20 April 2016 Monday, 21 March 2016 Non-Residential Commerce House 22, 23, 24 April 2016 Monday, 21 March Nights Residential DoubleTree by Hilton, Leeds 21, 22 May 2016 Friday, 15 April Night Residential DoubleTree by Hilton, Leeds 6, 7 June 2016 Friday, 6 May 2016 Non-Residential Northern College 8, 9 June 2016 Friday, 6 May 2016 Non-Residential Commerce House 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 June 2016 Monday, 9 May Nights Residential Northern College 14, 15 June 2016 Friday, 13 May 2016 Non-Residential Commerce House 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 June 2016 Friday 20 May 2016 Non-Residential Commerce House 24, 25, 26 June 2016 Friday 20 May Nights Residential DoubleTree by Hilton, Leeds 28, 29 June 2016 Friday, 27 May 2016 Non-Residential Commerce House 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 July 2016 Friday, 3 June 2016 Non-Residential Commerce House 11 July 2016 Friday, 10 June 2016 Non-Residential Commerce House 12 July 2016 Friday, 10 June 2016 Non-Residential Commerce House 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 July 2016 Friday, 24 June Nights Residential Northern College 5 September 2016 Friday, 5 August 2016 Non-Residential Commerce House 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 September 2016 Friday, 5 August Nights Residential Northern College 6, 7 September 2016 Friday, 5 August 2016 Non-Residential Commerce House 16, 17, 18 September 2016 Friday, 12 August Nights Residential DoubleTree by Hilton, Leeds 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 September 2016 Friday, 19 August Nights Residential Northern College 19 September November 2016 Monday, 12 September 2016 Distance Learning Distance Learning 20 September 2016 Monday, 22 August 2016 Non-Residential Commerce House 22 September 2016 Monday, 22 August 2016 Non-Residential Commerce House 26 September 2016 Monday, 29 August 2016 Non-Residential Commerce House 27 September 2016 Monday, 29 August 2016 Non-Residential Commerce House 28 September 2016 Monday, 29 August 2016 Non-Residential Commerce House 3, 4, 10, 11, 12 October 2016 Friday, 2 September 2016 Non-Residential Northern College 5, 6 October 2016 Monday, 5 September 2016 Non-Residential Commerce House 15, 16 October 2016 Monday, 12 September Night Residential DoubleTree by Hilton, Leeds 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 October 2016 Friday, 16 September Nights Residential Northern College 19 October 2016 Monday, 19 September 2016 Non-Residential Commerce House 31 October, 1, 2, 3, 4 November 2016 Friday, 30 September 2016 Non-Residential Commerce House 7, 8 November 2016 Friday, 7 October 2016 Non-Residential Northern College 9 November 2016 Monday, 10 October 2016 Non-Residential Commerce House 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 November 2016 Friday, 14 October 2016 Residential Northern College 18 November 2016 Monday, 17 October 2016 Non-Residential Commerce House 18, 19, 20 November SOG & Young 2016 Members Training Friday, will 14 take October place 2016throughout the year. 2 Nights Dates Residential will be arranged separately. DoubleTree by Hilton, Leeds 19

20 yorkshire & humberside education programme 2016 Branch Welfare Officers Training 2016 Branch Welfare Officer training is a nationally co-ordinated programme. Date: Wed Thu 4, 5 May 2016 Venue: Leeds For fuller details of closing dates for applications and course content see: Team Building Running The Branch This course is a second part, follow-up to the Branch Officers course and will examine teamwork in the Branch. The aim of the course, which will include a number of practical sessions, is to look at: Working together on union problems and policies; Finding out about the roles of other Branch Officers; Practising working with other Branch Officers; Reviewing Branch arrangements for effective working. Date: Sat Sun 15, 16 October 2016 (Apply by: 12 September 2016) Cost to Branches: 110 This course is a one night residential at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Leeds. 20

21 find all our courses at Members and Women Only Courses Coping with change A workshop for members who are affected by reorganisation or change in the workplace. This course can be run over 2 or 3 days. It is open to any member affected by change in the workplace, whatever the cause. This course aims to: give you an understanding of how change in your workplace is affecting you enable you to look positively and proactively at change at work help you develop and practice skills for coping with change help you develop and practice some skills for dealing with difficult people and situations help you develop SMART goals and set your own personal action plan for change give you an understanding of the concept of self marketing help you identify goals related to job search activities develop and practice skills and techniques such as CV preparation, interview techniques and completing application forms enable you to identify future career opportunities and set personal goals in pursuit of these Members & Women Only Courses Dates for courses will be fixed based on demand from applications. Confidence Building (Power to be You) Would you like to feel more confident, or come across as more confident? This one day workshop will help you take positive steps to improve your self confidence. Every day at work and elsewhere we come across situations where we have to speak up for ourselves or others, or take part in discussions on issues which affect us. The workshop will look at confident communication and behaviour, how to deal with criticism, the things we can do and say to help get ourselves noticed and listened to. Dates: Monday 5 September 2016 (apply by 5 August 2016) Wednesday 19 October 2016 (apply by 19 September 2016) Friday 18 November 2016 (apply by 17 October 2016) Venue: Commerce House, Leeds Cost to Branches: 25 21