Union Education www.nteu.org.au/myunion/education_ training Education & Training Organiser: Helena Spyrou The program is overseen by the National Assistant Secretary
Union Education provides education and training to NTEU officers, members and staff which supports the Union’s objectives. It is delivered by National Union Education Organiser Helena Spyrou along with National, Division and Branch staff and officers.
Union Education ensures knowledge and good practice that already exists within the Union is recorded, accessible and shared. Union Education resources are made accessible via the NTEU SharePoint site. The NTEU Wiki and the Friday Sessions are two examples ways of sharing knowledge. Shift in focus for Union Education Two things shifted the focus in 2019-2020.
Education Program Union Education engages NTEU members and staff as active learners engaging with complex issues. It builds on existing knowledge and asks participants to reflect upon their practice to develop new knowledge and practices. Most work aims to be consistent with Union’s 2007 Education and Training Framework, which has three subject areas – the Union, the higher education system, and work and employment, and three components – knowledge, activities and practices. The program is a mix of content identified and requested by members and staff, and content identified by senior officers and the National Executive as supporting urgent or important priorities.
Image (this page): Members protesting to #SaveHigherEd outside Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s electoral office, May 2020. Images (opposite page): Griffith Branch Vote No poster, Aug 2020; Social media graphic celebrating the Union win at Murdoch University, Sept 2020.
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Union Education develops education materials and training manuals to implement the program, including ‘train the trainer’ education. We provide expert content design, coordination, and delivery to NTEU conferences and workshops, such as the: Elected Leaders Conference, Women’s Conference, A&TSI Forum, Governance Workshop and All-Staff Conference.
Firstly, as a result of the managing change process in 2019, Union education now has one person in the position, not two and a greater emphasis is placed on organising and delegate and activist leadership development. This means a greater focus on the education and professional development of existing (and new) staff, newly elected NTEU leaders and delegates. Union Education also has a reduced role in hands-on delivery of courses in the Branches and Divisions and a greater role in developing courses and programs that will assist the Union to achieve its goals. Secondly, due to COVID-19 closing down the National Office in March 2020, Union Education began prioritising member and delegate development through online delivery and closely supporting with other units – Policy, Industrial and Communications in organising briefings and workshops and in educating staff, delegates and members in the use of online tools and in the delivery of online workshops. As well as producing materials for organisers and other staff to use to develop the organising and activist skills of members and delegates, Union Education has assisted
NTEU ANNUAL REPORT 2020 ◆ Union Education
