UNISON Y&H Full Education Programme 2017 by UNISONYH

Yorkshire and Humberside

2017

full education programme

yorkshire & humberside education programme 2017

Introduction

Welcome W

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)

elcome to the 2017 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. Working with our partners such as the WEA and Northern College we have increased our learning offer and increased the range of courses and learning opportunities available. In addition to our Regional Education Team, our Organisers will be working with branches, among the other organising duties they undertake, to develop Lifelong learning and ensure activists are trained to the highest upto-date standards. The programme is designed to increase the access to the most up to date training UNISON can offer both for new and developing existing activists. UNISON needs to increase its activist base, and attract better equipped and motivated activists. The courses provided are directly aimed at building confidence and developing skills abilities. 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 and 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 7 years since the Regional Council increased the charges to branches for training courses and I am pleased to be able to report that the charges should remain unchanged for 2017. The only exception being the Branch Officer training weekend as the increased cost of hotel accommodation has made it inevitable that we will need to raise the charges slightly. Unfortunately, due to Tory Government cuts there have been significant reductions in general further education funding and TUC funding has also been drastically cut. As a result of effective lobbying by the TUC, the previous Coalition governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s intention to remove fee remission was postponed to August 2016 thus enabling the region to keep charges to branches unchanged. But sadly it may be necessary to review the charges moving into 2018 but we will work hard to keep any increase to a minimum. No one should be out of pocket attending UNISON courses. Branches and the

Region will continue to contribute to ensure this, and access is freely available to as many members / activist as possible. Any additional travel costs or carer costs can be claimed from your branch, but you do need to speak to your branch and get their agreement in advance (details of help can be found within this programme). We also offer for clarity a separate members only training programme detailing some of the courses/ workshops UNISON offers for non activist members. You can obtain a copy of this from your branch education co-ordinator or Branch Secretary. You can always find it on our web site www.unison-yorks.org.uk/ education.html. Working together with other Trade unionists to achieve common goals is at the fundamental core of our organisation and we offer many opportunities for development. So please access and enjoy our learning offer and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be afraid to comment on things that went well or not so well as we are always striving to improve your learning experience and all feedback is carefully considered and used to improve our delivery. Wendy Nichols Regional Convenor

find all our courses at www.unison-yorks.org.uk

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

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yorkshire & humberside education programme 2017

Introduction

Practicalities continued... expenses from Branch funds. You are advised to find out what you may claim before attending the course.

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 0113 218 2330

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. 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, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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: 0113 218 2330

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find all our courses at www.unison-yorks.org.uk

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 0113 218 2330.

Introduction

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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, Further 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.

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MEMBERS 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 Women’s Lives, taster workshops, pre-retirement workshop and Pathways into UNISON.

EMPLOYMENT LAW COURSES

These are national and regional courses aimed at giving activists and branch officials an overview of specific areas of employment law. They include: Contracts & TUPE, Disability Discrimination Law, Race & Sex Discrimination Law and an Introduction to Work Life Balance.

DEVELOPING YOUR SKILLS

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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: Strategic Campaigning, Lay Tutor Training and an introduction to Public Sector Pensions.

USEFUL INFORMATION AND EXTERNAL COURSES

APPLICATION FORMS

UNISON Learning Grants, Open University Awards, Open University Access Courses. Plus courses offered by Northern College, including Functional Maths and English.

Residential and Non Residential Form.

yorkshire & humberside education programme 2017

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. RT PASSPO

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; Keeping members informed; How to raise issues in UNISON; Proportionality and fair representation; Interviewing members; 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 30, 31 January 1, 2, 3 February 2017 (Apply by: 4 January 2017) Mon – Fri 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 March 2017 (Apply by: 27 February 2017) Mon – Fri 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 April 2017 (Apply by: 24 March 2017) Mon – Fri 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 June 2017 (Apply by: 10 May 2017) Mon – Fri 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 July 2017 (Apply by: 16 June 2017) Mon – Fri 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 September 2017 (Apply by: 1 August 2017) Mon – Fri 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 November 2017 (Apply by: 11 October 2017) The above dates are residential courses 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: Participants can attend on a Day Delegate basis but there will be no reduction in cost to branches.

Mon – Fri 2, 3, 4, 12, 13 October 2017 (Apply by: 1 September 2017) This course date is non-residential and will be held at UNISON Regional Centre, Leeds. NOTE: All Stewards must attend an ERA re-accreditation refresher course no later than every 5 years. Cost to Branches: £150

find all our courses at www.unison-yorks.org.uk

RT PASSPO

The Organising Steward â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 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 : This course will help you:

Tues 17 January 2017 (Apply by: 9 January 2017) Tues 25 April 2017 (Apply by: 10 April 2017)

Core Skills/ Passport Courses

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 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 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 email and know how to access the internet. The GREL part will then take you through what you will need to know.

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yorkshire & humberside education programme 2017

RT PASSPO

Core Skills/ Passport Courses

The Organising Steward â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Online Version (continued)

How much will it cost? The course is free to you. 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 employerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s learning centre. Talk to your manager about what makes sense for you. How do I apply? For the application form, go to: https://www.tuceducation.org.uk/findacourse/courses/63 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.

find all our courses at www.unison-yorks.org.uk

RT PASSPO

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? Dates:

Core Skills/ Passport Courses

Mon – Fri 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 February 2017 (Apply by: 6 January 2017)

Mon – Fri 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 October 2017 (Apply by: 15 September 2017) The residential courses above 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. Mon – Fri 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 July 2017 (Apply by: 5 June 2017) This course date is non-residential and will be held at UNISON Regional Centre, Leeds. Cost to Branches: £150

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UNISON Learning Representative

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:

Tue – Thurs 19, 20, 21 September (Apply by: 18 August 2017)

Venue: This courses is non residential and will be held at UNISON Regional Centre, Leeds. Cost to Branches: £75

yorkshire & humberside education programme 2017

UNISON Learning Representative Stage 2 follow on training

RT PASSPO

Dyslexia in the workplace Core Skills/ Passport Courses

This will assist you in your role by providing an improved understanding of dyslexia and how it affects people in the workplace. Date:

Mon - Tue 20, 21 March 2017 (Apply by: 20 February 2017)

This course is non-residential and will be held at Commerce House, Leeds. Cost to Branches: £50

Discussion Leaders

The course is designed for branch activists who wish to improve their discussion skills to help build branch organisation. It also aims to be a ‘taster’ for those who may wish to become a UNISON Lay Tutor. By completing this course you will: Date:

Build on your discussion skills Explore some facilitation techniques Learn some techniques for solving problems which may arise Become aware of best practice when running a discussion

Mon - Tue 26, 27 June 2017 (Apply by: 26 May 2017)

This course is non-residential and will be held at Commerce House, Leeds. Cost to Branches: £50

Leading and Delivering Short Workshops

A 3 day course appropriate for ULRs and activists that have completed the Discussion Leaders course. This will not mean you are automatically eligible for the regional lay tutor scheme. There are different processes in place to become a regional lay tutor. The course will cover; Dates:

Teaching and learning approaches appropriate for trade union education. How to run a short UNISON member development or organising workshop. How equality and diversity issues relate to learners’ needs in education. How learners benefit from a group learning process. Tutoring skills and knowledge.

Mon - Wed 9, 10, 11 October 2017 (apply by: 8 September 2017)

This course is non-residential and will be held at the Regional Centre, Leeds Cost to Branches: £75

find all our courses at www.unison-yorks.org.uk

Equality in Your Branch

RT PASSPO

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:

Core Skills/ Passport Courses

Tue, 20 June 2017 (Apply by: 19 May 2017)

This course is non residential and will be held at UNISON Regional Centre, Leeds. Cost to Branches: £25

Negotiating Skills for Activists

RT PASSPO

(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.

Dates:

Mon – Fri 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 March 2017 (Apply by: 6 February 2017)

Mon – Fri 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 September 2017 (Apply by: 16 August 2017)

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). These courses 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: £150

yorkshire & humberside education programme 2017

RT PASSPO

Core Skills/ Passport Courses

Further Representation Skills ERA Re-accreditation Course

This 2 day course is designed to follow on from the 5 day Organising Stewards course or equivalent and is aimed at existing UNISON stewards. The course reinforces some approaches and procedures introduced in the 5 day course and explores in more detail: Dates:

Process for identifying needs and exploring what is and isn’t a case Recap on sources of information especially the ACAS code Preparing for a grievance and a capability case Planning and building a case including interviewing witnesses Possible outcomes from cases Mon-Tues 27, 28 February 2017 (Apply by: Fri, 27 January 2017)

Thurs-Fri 5, 6 October 2017 (Apply by: Mon, 4 September 2017) All courses are non-residential and held at Regional Centre, Commerce House, Leeds. Cost to Branches: £50

RT PASSPO

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:

Wed, 1 November 2017 (Apply by: 2 October 2017)

These courses are non-residential and will be held at UNISON Regional Centre, Commerce House, Leeds. Cost to Branches: £25

find all our courses at www.unison-yorks.org.uk

UNISON Workplace Reps Refresher Course

RT PASSPO

(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 5, 6 June 2017 (Apply by: 5 May 2017)

Mon – Tues 6, 7 November 2017 (Apply by: 4 October 2017)

Core Skills/ Passport Courses

Venue: These courses are non residential and will be held at Northern College, Barnsley. Cost to Branches: £100

yorkshire & humberside education programme 2017

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.

Branch Secretary

Running The Branch

Aimed at new Branch Secretaries or those who havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 18.

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 membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; complaints, agreements with the employer and future planning.

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.

find all our courses at www.unison-yorks.org.uk

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.

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. Running The Branch

Dates for Branch Officer Courses All the above Branch Officer courses will take place on the following date: Sat - Sun, 20, 21 May 2017 Dates: (Apply by: 17 April 2017) 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: £150

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. Date:

Tues, 16 May 2017 (apply by Mon, 17 April 2017)

This course is non-residential and will be held at the Regional Centre, Leeds Cost to Branches: £25

ning

yorkshire & humberside education programme 2017

Branch Leadership Programme for Branch Secretaries 2016 This programme has been designed to support and develop new branch secretaries. There are a number of courses as part of the programme. The tutor will be someone who either has experience of the role of Branch Secretary or who works closely with UNISON Branches and Branch Secretaries.

Running The Branch

Trade Union Education aims to help develop confidence and practical skills, and to put the knowledge gained during the course to good effect in your branch and workplace. To achieve this, the course is organised in a way that will give us all an opportunity to have a say, as well as listen to others. 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: Organising, Representation and Bargaining This includes local agreements, research, collectivising cases, bargaining priorities, negotiating teams and difficult situations, persuading and influencing. Date: Cost to Branches

Thurs – Fri 2, 3 March 2017 (Apply by: 3 February 2017) £50

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: Cost to Branches

Mon, 11 September 2017 (Apply by: 11 August 2017) £25

These courses are non-residential and will be held at the Regional Centre, Leeds

find all our courses at www.unison-yorks.org.uk

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. 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.

Running The Branch

Branch Treasurer Online Accounting (OLBA) Course Dates:

Wed, 26 April 2017 (Apply by: 24 March 2017) Thurs, 20 July 2017 (Apply by: 19 June 2017)

Cost to Branches: £25

Finance and the Organised Branch This course is designed for, Branch Treasurers, Branch Secretaries and any Branch Officer who is associated with Branch Finances. The course runs for two days and involves individual activities, group work and discussion as well as finding out information from your employer and outside sources. It is NOT designed to make the learner a ‘financial expert’ but to introduce them to some of the key issues facing members and branches in the trade union and the employing organisation. In particular, the course aims to help the learner to:

These courses are nonresidential and will be held at the Regional Centre, Leeds

Understand branch finances and branch funding Work with the branch to establish transparency in financial transactions Develop protocols for budget setting and procurement Develop a budgeting framework Understand the role of budgeting and organising within a framework of UNISON’s objectives To enable branch treasurers to promote an organising union through branch budgeting Another aim of this course, for UNISON, is to develop a new layer of activism amongst members, which introduces organising around finance. Date:

Thurs-Fri 28, 29 September 2017 (Apply by: 28 August 2017)

Cost to Branches: £50

yorkshire & humberside education programme 2017

Branch Welfare Officers Training 2017 Branch Welfare Officer training is a nationally co-ordinated programme. With jobs cuts and benefit reductions increasing the strain on household budgets and finances, our branch welfare officers (BWOs) need more than ever to be equipped to help members overcome the difficulties they face with practical advice and support. This training will help branch welfare officers (BWOs) to:

Running The Branch

Date:

Understand their role and the confidentiality it involves. Understand the UNISON Welfare charity structure and staff responsibilities. Understand the application process and areas where welfare can assist members. Develop influencing and communication skills and practice active listening. Promote ‘There for You’ to managers and as a part of recruitment drives. Practice presentation skills and to handle problems in an assertive manner. Understand the importance of promoting and publicising ‘There for You’.

Wed – Thu 3,4 May 2017

Venue: Manchester To Apply: Please email LearningandOrganising@unison.co.uk for an application form.

find all our courses at www.unison-yorks.org.uk

Members Courses + taster courses Mental Health Awareness Workshop This course is a one day session delivered by an Open University lecturer and is open to UNISON members and activists. Objectives for the day Understand the main mental health problems that people face Gain an insight into the experience of having mental distress Explore some strategies for promoting good mental health Be able to take a revised awareness to the workplace What the day covers Mental health issues; Perception of mental health; Experiencing mental health problems; Types of mental health problems (including Anxiety, Depression, Suicide and self harm, Bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia, Personality disorders, Eating disorders); Legal considerations; What can individuals do; Medication and treatment; Useful organisations and signposting. Date:

Fri, 24 March 2017 (Apply by: 24 February 2017)

This course is non-residential and will be held at the Regional Centre, Leeds

Members Courses +Taster Courses

Cost to Branches: FREE

Dementia Workshop A short workshop run by The Open University providing an introduction on Dementia Care. The workshop aims to: Define dementia – types and causes and that dementia is not part of natural ageing Explain how dementia affects the way a person behaves and functions – it’s not just about losing memory Discuss the concept of `There is more to a person than the dementia’ Importance of knowing about the person and person centred care ‘this is me’ Explore issues and ways of making it possible to live well with dementia Consider ways in which care environments can be made more dementia-friendly Dates:

Mon, 17 July 2017 (Apply by: 16 June 2017) Fri, 1 September 2017 (Apply by: 1 August 2017) Wed, 22 November 2017 (Apply by: 20 October 2017)

These courses are non-residential and will be held at the Regional Centre, Leeds Cost to Branches: FREE

yorkshire & humberside education programme 2017

Building Confidence in Women and Women’s Assertiveness These two weekend courses are run in Leeds by a woman trainer. The courses are friendly and fun and we will arrange accommodation for you in a Leeds city hotel if you wish to stay overnight. If you need childcare we will arrange a crèche for your child. Also if you need a facilitator, this can be discussed and arranged. This will not involve any cost to you.

WOMEN ONLY

Building Confidence In Women

This course is open to non-activist women members who want to increase their confidence. This is a fun and practical course with very little written work. Working in small informal groups and pairs women look at the things which help them build confidence. We also look at barriers that get in the way of building confidence and develop a strategy for overcoming these barriers. Members Courses + Taster Courses

This course is designed as a starting point for women who have attended little or no UNISON training before. It is aimed at ordinary women members in the branches. After doing this course women may choose to attend Women’s Assertiveness. Some women go on to become Stewards and Learning Representatives and then they would be eligible to attend the Public Speaking with Confidence course. Dates:

Sat – Sun 11,12 February 2017 (Apply by: 9 January 2017) Sat – Sun 8, 9 July 2017 (Apply by: 5 June 2017)

This course includes 2 nights residential at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, Leeds. Cost to Branches: £110 WOMEN ONLY

Women’s Assertiveness

This course is open to non-activist women members. Assertiveness training offers a means of learning an invaluable set of communication skills, which helps us to express our opinions, needs and feelings, honestly and directly. The philosophy behind assertiveness training is expressly non-competitive and great care is taken to enable each participant to strengthen their self-esteem and prevent themselves being manipulated or exploited. The course covers: Assertive skills Body language Learning to say ‘No’

Dealing with anger Making/Refusing requests Constructive criticism

This is a fun and practical weekend, which will increase your self-esteem; this then allows

find all our courses at www.unison-yorks.org.uk

you to deal with problems both at work and in your private life. Although this course can be done in isolation, members applying for this course would benefit from completing the Building Confidence in Women course first as this course builds on the training done on Building Confidence course. Members will not ordinarily be accepted onto the Building Confidence in Women course if they have already completed this course. Dates:

Sat – Sun 24, 25 June 2017 (Apply by: 19 May 2017) Sat – Sun 11, 12 November 2017 (Apply by: 9 October 2017)

This course includes 1 night residential at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Leeds. Cost to Branches: £110

Pathways into UNISON

WOMEN ONLY

“Pathways” has been designed for women in UNISON who are interested in knowing more about the union. The course is particularly useful for members who have completed Return to Learn or Women’s Lives. A key purpose of the course is to provide an opportunity for women to find out more about UNISON, gain confidence in their skills and abilities and to recognise how they can put these to use in union work, without having to commit all their spare time and energy. “Pathways” provides a general introduction to UNISON and women’s involvement in the union. The course will help participants to:

Members Courses +Taster Courses

explore why women do or don’t get involved in the union and why it’s important that they are involved be more familiar with how UNISON works and how women members can get involved appreciate the skills that many women develop, not just at work but in dealing with day to day life appreciate how existing skills can be applied in new situations, including in working life and in the union gain confidence in your ability to use your skills in the union develop an action plan find out about further development opportunities with the union

Dates:

Sat – Sun 16, 17 September 2017 (Apply by: 14 August 2017)

This course is 1 night residential at Northern College, Barnsley Cost to Branches: FREE

January

February

March

Calendar of Courses 2017

April May

June

July

September

October

November

December

COURSE TITLE

PAGE

START DATE

Organising Steward – Online Version PASSPORT Organising Steward PASSPORT Health & Safety Representatives PASSPORT An Introduction to Public Sector Pensions (Distance Learning) Building Confidence in Women Your Skills Your Future Further Representation Skills PASSPORT Organising, Representation and Bargaining Negotiating Skills for Activists PASSPORT Making the Most of the Internet Confidence Building (Power to be You) Dyslexia Awareness at Work PASSPORT Mental Health Awareness (Open University) Organising Steward PASSPORT Organising Steward PASSPORT Organising Steward – Online Version PASSPORT Branch Treasurer Online Accounting (OLBA) Training Branch Officer Training: Communications Officer Branch Officer Training Weekend

7 6 9 31 20 26 12 16 11 26 27 10 19 6 6 7 17 15 14

Tuesday, 17 January 2017 Monday, 30 January 2017 Monday, 6 February 2017 Monday, 6 February 2017 Saturday, 11 February 2017 Wednesday, 22 February 2017 Monday, 27 February 2017 Thursday, 2 March 2017 Monday, 6 March 2017 Monday, 13 March 2017 Wednesday, 15 March 2017 Monday, 20 March 2017 Friday, 24 March 2017 Monday, 27 March 2017 Monday, 24 April 2017 Tuesday, 25 April 2017 Wednesday, 26 April 2017 Tuesday, 16 May 2017 Saturday, 20 May 2017

UNISON Workplace Reps Refresher PASSPORT Organising Steward PASSPORT Equalities in Your Branch PASSPORT Women’s Assertiveness Discussion Leaders PASSPORT Health & Safety Representatives PASSPORT Building Confidence in Women Facing Change Together Dementia Workshop (Open University) Organising Steward PASSPORT Branch Treasurer Online Accounting (OLBA) Training Dementia Workshop (Open University) Confidence Building (Power to be You) Organising Steward PASSPORT Strategic Campaigning Pathways into UNISON Negotiating Skills for Activists PASSPORT UNISON Learning Representatives PASSPORT Employment Law: Introduction to Work Life Balance Employment Law: Introduction to Disability Discrimination Law Employment Law: Introduction to Race & Sex Discrimination Law Branch Treasurer: Finance and the Organising Branch Organising Steward PASSPORT Further Representation Skills PASSPORT Leading and Delivering Short Workshops PASSPORT Health & Safety Representatives PASSPORT PASSPORT Confidence Skills for Activists UNISON Workplace Rep Refresher PASSPORT Women’s Assertiveness Organising Steward PASSPORT Dementia Workshop (Open University) Confidence Building (Power to be You) Employment Law: Introduction to Employment Law

13 6 11 20 10 9 20 26 19 6 17 19 27 6 31 21 11 9 30 30 30 17 6 12 10 9 12 13 20 6 19 27 30

Monday 5 June 2017 Monday, 12 June 2017 Tuesday, 20 June 2017 Saturday, 24 June 2017 Monday 26 June 2017 Monday, 3 July 2017 Saturday, 8 July 2017 Tuesday, 11 July 2017 Monday, 17 July 2017 Monday, 17 July 2017 Thursday 20 July 2017 Friday, 1 September 2017 Monday, 4 September 2017 Monday, 4 September 2017 Monday, 11 September 2017 Saturday, 16 September 2017 Monday, 18 September 2017 Tuesday, 19 September 2017 Monday, 25 September 2017 Tuesday, 26 September 2017 Wednesday, 27 September 2017 Thursday, 28 September 2017 Monday, 2 October 2017 Thursday, 5 October 2017 Monday, 9 October 2017 Monday, 16 October 2017 Wednesday, 1 November 2017 Monday, 6 November 2017 Saturday, 11 November 2017 Monday, 13 November 2017 Wednesday, 22 November 2017 Saturday, 25 November 2017 Monday, 27 November 2017

Employment Law: Introduction to Contracts of Employment

Tuesday, 28 November 2017

Pre-Retirement Workshop

Friday, 8 December 2017

COURSE DATES

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS

RESIDENTIAL DETAILS

VENUE

17 January 2017 – 6 March 2017 30, 31 January, 1, 2, 3 February 2017 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 February 2017 6 February 2017 – 28 April 2017 11, 12 February 2017 22 February 2017 27, 28 February 2017 2, 3 March 2017 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 March 2017 13 March 2017 15 March 2017 20, 21 March 2017 24 March 2017 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 March 2017 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 April 2017 25 April 2017 – 13 June 2017 26 April 2017 16 May 2017 20, 21 May 2017

Monday, 9 January 2017 Wednesday, 4 January 2017 Friday, 6 January 2017 Friday, 27 January 2017 Monday, 9 January 2017 Friday, 20 January 2017 Friday, 27 January 2017 Friday, 3 February 2017 Monday, 6 February 2017 Friday, 10 February 2017 Monday, 13 February 2017 Monday, 20 February 2017 Friday, 24 February 2017 Monday, 27 February 2017 Friday, 24 March 2017 Monday, 10 April 2017 Friday, 24 March 2017 Monday, 17 April 2017 Monday, 17 April 2017

Distance Learning 4 Nights Residential 4 Nights Residential Distance Learning 1 Night Residential Non-Residential Non-Residential Non-Residential 4 Nights Residential Non-Residential Non-Residential Non-Residential Non-Residential 4 Nights Residential 4 Nights Residential Distance Learning Non-Residential Non-Residential 1 Night Residential

Distance Learning Northern College Northern College Distance Learning Crowne Plaza, Leeds Commerce House Commerce House Commerce House Northern College Swarthmore Centre, Leeds Commerce House Commerce House Commerce House Northern College Northern College Distance Learning Commerce House Commerce House DoubleTree by Hilton, Leeds

5, 6, June 2017 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 June 2017 20 June 2017 24, 25 June 2017 26, 27 June 2017 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 July 2017 8, 9 July 2017 11 July 2017 17 July 2017 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 July 2017 20 July 2017 1 September 2017 4 September 2017 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 September 2017 11 September 2017 16, 17 September 2017 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 September 2017 19, 20, 21 September 2017 25 September 2017 26 September 2017 27 September 2017 28, 29 September 2017 2, 3, 4, 12, 13 October 2017 5, 6 October 2017 9, 10, 11 October 2017 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 October 2017 1 November 2017 6, 7 November 2017 11, 12 November 2017 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 November 2017 22 November 2017 25 November 2017 27 November 2017

Friday, 5 May 2017 Wednesday, 10 May 2017 Friday, 19 May 2017 Friday, 19 May 2017 Friday, 26 May 2017 Monday, 5 June 2017 Monday, 5 June 2017 Friday, 9 June 2017 Friday, 16 June 2017 Friday, 16 June 2017 Monday 19 June 2017 Tuesday, 1 August 2017 Tuesday, 1 August 2017 Tuesday, 1 August 2017 Friday, 11 August 2017 Monday, 14 August 2017 Wednesday, 16 August 2017 Friday, 18 August 2017 Friday, 25 August 2017 Friday, 25 August 2017 Friday, 25 August 2017 Monday, 28 August 2017 Friday, 1 September 2017 Monday, 4 September 2017 Friday, 8 September 2017 Friday, 15 September 2017 Monday, 2 October 2017 Wednesday, 4 October 2017 Monday, 9 October 2017 Wednesday, 11 October 2017 Friday, 20 October 2017 Friday, 20 October 2017 Wednesday, 25 October 2017

Non-Residential 4 Nights Residential Non-Residential 1 Night Residential Non-Residential Non-Residential 1 Night Residential Non-Residential Non-Residential 4 Nights Residential Non-Residential Non-Residential Non-Residential 4 Nights Residential Non-Residential 1 Night Residential 4 Nights Residential Non-Residential Non-Residential Non-Residential Non-Residential Non-Residential Non-Residential Non-Residential Non-Residential 4 Nights Residential Non-Residential Non-Residential 1 Night Residential 4 Nights Residential Non-Residential Non-Residential Non-Residential

Northern College Northern College Commerce House Crowne Plaza, Leeds Commerce House Commerce House Crowne Plaza, Leeds Commerce House Commerce House Northern College Commerce House Commerce House Commerce House Northern College Commerce House Northern College Northern College Commerce House Commerce House Commerce House Commerce House Commerce House Commerce House Commerce House Commerce House Northern College Commerce House Northern College Crowne Plaza, Leeds Northern College Commerce House Commerce House Commerce House

28 November 2017

Wednesday, 25 October 2017

Non-Residential

Commerce House

8 December 2017

Friday, 3 November 2017

Non-Residential

Commerce House

yorkshire & humberside education programme 2017

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 Members Courses + Taster Courses

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. 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.

find all our courses at www.unison-yorks.org.uk

WOMEN ONLY

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.

Members Courses +Taster Courses

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 0113 218 2330, quoting your membership number.

yorkshire & humberside education programme 2017

FREE ‘Taster’ Workshops (As part of the Member Learning Offer)

Try our free one-day ‘taster’ workshops for members as an introduction to UNISON learning. Explore the skills you have, how to make the most of them and how to develop new skills. Workshops on offer include:

Making the Most of the Internet This one day workshop covers: Finding which sites to trust, identify jargon is and where to go for help. Hints and tips for when you get online. Learn to navigate and search the internet. Help with favourites, email, pictures and documents. Show you how to use the internet to save money, simple computer management and how to do a computer spring clean. Dates: Members Courses + Taster Courses

Mon, 13 March 2017 (Apply by: 10 February 2017)

This course is non-residential and will be held at Swarthmore Centre, Leeds

Your Skills Your Future This one day workshop will: Help you identify your existing, transferable and potential skills for the purpose of personal or professional development. Help you to feel more confident about your skills and abilities. Identify ways to seek out opportunities for skills development Highlight your achievements Date:

Wed, 22 February 2017 (Apply by: 20 January 2017)

Facing Change Together This one day workshop covers: To think about work-life balance To discuss the challenges that you face at work To identify ways in which UNISON can support members To consider the benefits of being a member of a union To discover how members can help and support each other during times of change or uncertainty Date:

Tue, 11 July 2017 (Apply by: 9 June 2017)

find all our courses at www.unison-yorks.org.uk

Confidence Building (Power to be You) This one day workshop will: Help to improve self-esteem Provide ideas and tips for addressing your own confidence and assertiveness issues Look at how to deal with criticism Help to speak with confidence Dates:

Wed, 15 March 2017 (Apply by: Mon, 13 February 2017) Mon, 4 September 2017 (Apply by: Tues, 1 August 2017) Sat, 25 November 2017 (Apply by: Friday, 20 October 2017)

All the above courses are non-residential and will be held at the Regional Centre, Leeds Cost to Branch: FREE

Pre-Retirement workshop This workshop run by True Bearing Chartered will make you aware of your choices and aid you in your decision making. Is this workshop for me? If you are retiring imminently or considering retiring within the next 18 months and want to be informed of the issues affecting your retirement you need to plan for your next phase of life.

Members Courses +Taster Courses

By the end of the workshop you will be able to: Create your own route path from the world of work to the world of retirement Identify changes in both pensions and financial regulations which will affect your retirement decisions Identify the long term issues affecting your retirement Identify personal and lifestyle actions which will help to improve your retirement Start the process of planning for a successful retirement At True Bearing Chartered we can provide you with comprehensive independent financial advice to improve your financial security. Dates:

Fri, 8 December 2017 (apply by 3 November 2017)

This course is non-residential and will be held at the Regional Centre, Leeds. Cost to Branches: ÂŁ10

yorkshire & humberside education programme 2017

Negotiating with your employer and casework skills National Employment Law Courses 2017 The following in-depth employment law courses supplement the range of training offered at regional level and are aimed at more experienced activists. Courses will be held in UNISON Centre, 130 Euston Rd, London NW1 2AY To apply, please phone or email for an application form (see below) and return it to: UNISON Learning & Organising Services, UNISON Centre, 130 Euston Road, London NW1 2AY. Tel: 0207 121 5116 Fax: 0207 121 5758 Email: learningandorganising@unison.co.uk CONTRACTS REDUNDANCY & TUPE 21 – 23 MARCH: Closing date for receipt of applications: 8 February 7 – 9 NOVEMBER: Closing date for receipt of applications: 26 September This course will help activists develop their understanding of contracts of employment and member’s potential rights on redundancy. It will enable them to recognise relevant legal issues when dealing with casework, campaigning and negotiating. It also covers unilateral variation of contract; TUPE; unfair dismissal in the context of changing contracts; redundancy & TUPE. It does not cover unfair dismissal in the areas of capability and misconduct.

Employment Law Courses

DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION LAW 28 – 29 MARCH: Closing date for receipt of applications: 15 February 21 – 22 NOVEMBER: Closing date for receipt of applications: 7 October This course will help activists when representing members and negotiating with employers around disability issues by increasing their understanding of how often disability discrimination law applies and how it can be used to put pressure on employers to take positive steps. The course covers identifying potential cases of disability discrimination in the workplace, who disability discrimination law applies to, how to interview members with a potential case, the extent of the employer’s duties to make reasonable adjustments, the relationship between sickness issues (e.g. back injury, depression) and disability discrimination, and recognising time-limits. It does not cover how to run a tribunal case. MATERNITY AND PARENTAL RIGHTS 25 MAY: Closing date for receipt of applications: 11 April 19 OCTOBER: Closing date for receipt of applications: 7 September This course is for UNISON activists who need to advise members on maternity and parental rights or who are looking to improve on statutory rights through negotiation. It will help you understand the complex law relating to maternity rights and give you an opportunity to compare negotiated contractual agreements with statutory rights to identify opportunities for seeking improvements. RACE & SEX DISCRIMINATION LAW 11 – 13 JULY: Closing date for receipt of applications: 30 May This course will help activists to recognise direct and indirect race and sex discrimination when

find all our courses at www.unison-yorks.org.uk

dealing with casework in the branch. It will help them understand the questions to ask when interviewing members with potential cases. It will give them an overview of legislation and timelimits; understanding the questionnaire procedure; introduction to law on sexual harassment. It does not cover how to run a tribunal case. The course does not cover the law on pregnancy and maternity/paternity which is covered in the Maternity and Paternity Rights course. UNFAIR DISMISSALS AND EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNALS 19 – 21 SEPTEMBER: Closing date for receipt of applications: 6 August This course will help reps to use the law to underpin negotiations with employers on dismissal issues in internal disciplinary hearings, and to develop analytical skills useful in all areas of their work. While activists are not expected to represent at tribunal cases, understanding the importance of time limits and evidence gathering at an early stage will ensure sound groundwork should a case eventually go to tribunal. This course covers the law of unfair dismissal: who can claim unfair dismissal and what makes a dismissal unfair, especially in the context of misconduct. It follows a misconduct dismissal through every stage of preparation for a tribunal case, finishing with a mock video of the tribunal hearing. This course does not cover unfair dismissal in the context of redundancy, contract variation or TUPE as that is the subject of the Contract, Redundancy and TUPE course.

Course Details ALLOCATION OF COURSE PLACES: To ensure the effective application of UNISON principles of Proportionality and Fair Representation places are allocated on national courses immediately after the closing date instead of on a first come first served basis. If courses are oversubscribed, selections are made on the basis of achieving Fair Representation and Proportionality, as set out in UNISON Rules, and to ensure a fair spread of participants from regions and sectors where appropriate. In-depth employment law courses supplement the range of training offered at regional level. They are aimed at experienced activists and this is also taken into account when offering places on these courses.

Employment Law Courses

CHARGES: Branches will be charged a fee per participant of £225 for 3-day courses, £150 for 2-day courses and £75 for 1-day courses. Accommodation, travel and care costs and a £5 per day out-of-pocket allowance will be paid from national level. FACILITATION AND DEPENDENT CARE: It is UNISON policy that no member should be deterred from applying for a course because of facilitation needs, necessary childcare or other care commitments. CANCELLATION POLICY: Where places on courses are cancelled without good cause charges will be levied as follows: Where places are cancelled within two weeks of the start of the course the cost will be 50% of the course cost. Where places are cancelled within one week of the start of the course the cancellation will be 100%. OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUALITIES: As part of UNISON’s equal opportunities policy in education there is a questionnaire at the back of the application form. This information will be strictly confidential and used only to monitor UNISON’s ability to deliver educational opportunities fairly to all sections of its membership.

yorkshire & humberside education programme 2017

Employment Law Courses

ERA Re-accreditation

These courses are aimed at stewards or branch officials and will give an overview of specific areas of employment law. They will look at what the law actually says and how it may be applied. There are 5 one day courses â&#x20AC;&#x201C; you can either do all 5 days or pick the day or days to suit your interest. These courses will give a basic grounding in those areas of employment law and will help you to identify possible legal cases, which may be run in conjunction with the region. Dates:

Introduction to Work Life Balance: Mon, 25 September 2017 (Apply by: 25 August 2017) Introduction to Disability Discrimination Law (Equality Act): Tue, 26 September 2017 (Apply by: 25 August 2017) Introduction to Race & Sex Discrimination Law (Equality Act): Wed, 27 September 2017 (Apply by: 25 August 2017) Introduction to Employment Law: Mon, 27 November 2017 (Apply by: 25 October 2017) Introduction to Contracts of Employment: Tues, 28 November 2017 (Apply by: 25 October 2017) All courses are non residential and will be held at Commerce House, Leeds. Cost to Branches: ÂŁ25 per course

tiatingEmployment your Law Courses oyer and work s

find all our courses at www.unison-yorks.org.uk

Developing your skills Strategic Campaigning The course is aimed at Branch activists and all members of Regional Self Organised Groups. UNISON is a campaigning union and the course will help members plan campaigns in an effective and coherent way. To understand what makes an effective campaign To gain an understanding of the need to develop a communications network To understand how to find a good campaigning issue To develop a coherent theme and objectives To devise a strategy We aim to look at the current big campaigning issue in UNISON. We will look at campaigns that course members have been involved in and the factors which made the campaign successful and the factors which may prevent a campaign from succeeding; building an organising team; what are the relevant considerations in finding a good campaigning issue; developing a core message; deciding on targets and allies; looking at tactics and how to take the campaign forward. Date:

Mon, 11 September 2017 (Apply by: 11 August 2017)

This course is non-residential and will be held at UNISON Regional Centre, Commerce House, Leeds. Cost to Branches: ÂŁ25

n Introduction to Public Sector A Pensions (Distance Learning) This course is an accredited, paper based, Distance Learning Pensions Course. We know that pensions are increasingly a key union issue. Branch Representatives and Activists will need to understand the basics about pensions and how they can be protected and improved. This course will help you understand pensions in a straightforward, helpful way. The course has two component parts. A course booklet to read and a question booklet to complete. This course is for all UNISON Reps, Activists and Pension Champions. It aims to help you understand different types of pension schemes; help you understand your own pension scheme; help you promote a better understanding of pensions amongst your colleagues; help you defend your pension scheme. When you have completed this course you will have a general understanding of pension options; you will be able to estimate your own pension benefits and understand how to improve them; you will be able to help colleagues make more informed decisions about scheme membership and the benefits of an occupational pension scheme. Date:

Developing your skills

Mon, 6 February 2017 to Fri, 28 April 2017 (Apply by: 27 January 2017)

Cost to Branches: ÂŁ15

yorkshire & humberside education programme 2017

Lay Tutor Training

Discussion Leaders Course The course is designed for branch activists who wish to improve their discussion skills to help build branch organisation. It also aims to be a ‘taster’ for those who may wish to become a UNISON Lay Tutor. By completing this course you will: Date:

Build on your discussion skills Explore some facilitation techniques Learn some techniques for solving problems which may arise Become aware of best practice when running a discussion

Mon - Tue 26, 27, June 2017 (Apply by: 26 May 2017)

This course is non-residential and will be held at Commerce House, Leeds. Cost to Branches: £50

Lay Tutor Training This introductory course on tutoring methods is aimed primarily at branch activists who want to use education methods to run organising-focused branch-based training for members. Activists will need to complete both this course and the UNISON ‘Equalities for Tutors’ course to become UNISON lay tutors. On completing this course activists will understand:

Teaching and learning approaches appropriate for trade union education How to run a simple group-based activity How equality and diversity issues relate to learners’ needs in an educational setting How learners benefit from a group learning process How tutoring knowledge and skills can engage branch activists around union organising How to develop their tutoring skills and knowledge

loping Developing your s skills

Reflecting on what they learn from each activity of this course as they work through it is a valuable way of reinforcing their learning and a Learning Journal is provided for participants to record their thoughts and ideas. This is a 3 day non-residential course and is available on dates to be determined subject to demand. Cost to Branches: £75

find all our courses at www.unison-yorks.org.uk

Lay Tutors Equality Course This course has been specifically designed for UNISON lay tutors and is an integral and essential part of the UNISON lay tutor training programme. This course is ideally delivered to a group of lay tutors who have been through Stage 1 together. The purpose of this course is to help lay tutors to improve their own education practice by: Building confidence Dealing with equality issues assertively Developing their understanding of equality issues Understanding the deep-rooted nature of prejudice and discrimination will help all lay tutors to carry out their role on behalf of UNISON confidently and effectively. This is a 2.5 day non-residential course and is available on dates to be determined subject to demand. Cost to Branches: £75

Self Organised Groups and Young Members’ Forum UNISON promotes equality and encourages activism through its Young Members’ Forum, and its Women Members, Black Members, Disabled members and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Members four Self Organised Groups. This year there will be a one day training course for each of the four self organised groups and for Young Members, and members who identify as being from the relevant group will be able to apply. The content, venues and dates of these training days are yet to be decided but will reflect and support UNISON’s key objectives and priorities of increasing membership, developing new activists and engaging the wider membership in campaigns and activity. The courses are a great way to network with other members who share the same concerns and aspirations!

Developing your skills

These courses are non-residential and will be held at UNISON Regional Centre, Commerce House, Leeds. Cost to Branches: £25

yorkshire & humberside education programme 2017

Useful information UNISON Educational Grants Because we want to help you to get ahead and develop your career, UNISON offers the following grants to members studying at their own expense.

UNISON Learning Grants These grants of approximately £70 are intended to help members who are undertaking study at their own expense on the following types of courses: Trade Union and Labour Studies where an applicant has not received a bursary Non-vocational education up to and including under-graduate level e.g. GCSEs, A-Levels, Access courses, leisure courses etc Vocational education relevant to public service work UNISON Learning grant applications are dealt with on a first come, first served basis on 1 January and 1 September each year until funds are exhausted.

Open University Awards These are available to UNISON members undertaking 30 and 60 point OU courses up to and including under-graduate level at their own expense. No awards are available for Masters Degree study or above. Awards are made as follows: 60 Point courses - £120 30 Point courses - £60 These are awarded on a first-come, first served basis and available on 1 January and 1 September each year until funds are exhausted. Application form and criteria are set out on the UNISON website at: www.unison.org.uk/for-members/unison-learning/financial-support/

Useful Information + External Courses

For more information you can contact the Bursaries Administrator on 020 7121 5116 or E-Mail: learningandorganising@unison.co.uk For the latest news on UNISON discounts and bursaries Visit our national Learning and Organising Services (LAOS) web-site http://www.unison.org.uk/laos/bursaries.asp

find all our courses at www.unison-yorks.org.uk

The Open University & UNISON Partnership UNISON has a long history of working in partnership with the Open University and around 10% of people on shorter OU courses are UNISON members.

Study OU Access Modules for Free If you want to study with the OU but you’re not quite sure you are ready, an OU Access module is the ideal way to prepare. You may even be able to study for free if: You are a resident in England Have a household income of less than £25,000 (or in receipt of qualifying benefits) Have not completed any more than one year on a full-time undergraduate programme at NQF Level 4 or above, or completed 30 credits or more of OU study Access modules start in October and February each year and there are currently three modules that could pave the way towards a qualification: Our arts and languages module is ideal preparation for studying towards a wide range of qualifications, including arts and humanities and languages. Our people, work and society module is ideal preparation for studying towards a wide range of qualifications, including business and management, education, childhood and youth, health and social care, law, psychology and counselling, and social sciences. Our science, technology and maths module is ideal preparation for studying towards a wide range of qualifications, computing and IT, engineering, design, technology, environment and development, mathematics and statistics, and science. If you are unsure if you meet the criteria or would like further information, you can speak to an OU adviser on 01908 659253.

OpenLearn: Free learning from the OU Get a feel for what studying with the OU is like by sampling some of the freely available materials on OpenLearn – the home of free learning from The Open University. There are thousands of free learning items across OpenLearn from games to full free online courses. Whether you’re looking for a taste of university study or to expand your skills for work, there’s something for you. You can start right away, work at your own pace and gain a free statement of participation. Find further details about our partnership with the OU along with further information about OpenLearn and Access Modules on the dedicated website found at: www.open.ac.uk/choose/unison

Useful Information + External Courses

yorkshire & humberside education programme 2017

External Courses: Northern College UNISON works in partnership with Northern College to provide training for members and activists. Below are just a small selection of courses available to UNISON members taking place at Northern College, Barnsley.

Computers for Beginners This course is an introduction to using a computer. You will learn how to use a mouse and keyboard and get to grips with computer jargon. Dates: Venue: Cost:

Wed-Fri 1, 2, 3 March 2017 Wed-Fri 10, 11, 12 May 2017 Northern College, Barnsley FREE

Introduction to Spreadsheets Use a computer to produce numerical based documents, such as simple household accounts, using a variety of formulas and then produce graphs and charts. Dates: Venue: Cost:

Wed-Fri 25, 26, 27 January 2017 Wed-Fri 24, 25, 26 May 2017 Northern College, Barnsley ÂŁ45

Introduction to PowerPoint This is an introductory course in creating simple interlinking web pages made up of text and images. The course uses online web creation tools to explore some of the basic concepts behind a web site. Good IT skills are needed for this course.

Useful Information + External Courses

Dates: Venue: Cost:

Wed-Fri 22, 23, 24 February 2017 Mon-Wed 17, 18, 19 July 2017 Northern College, Barnsley ÂŁ45

find all our courses at www.unison-yorks.org.uk

Functional Maths Entry Level 3 This course will prepare you in a full range of maths skills at Entry Level. It is also designed to teach you how to apply these skills to solve problems in real life situations. Successful completion of the course leads to a nationally recognised Functional Maths qualification at Entry Level. This is excellent preparation for taking the Level 1 Award in Maths. Dates: Venue: Cost:

Mon-Fri 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 June 2017 Northern College, Barnsley FREE

Functional English Level 1 This course will prepare you in a full range of English skills at Level 1. It is also designed to teach you how to apply these skills to real life situations. The course has two sessions, the first lasting 5 days and the second lasting 3 days. Successful completion of the course leads to a nationally recognised Functional English qualification at Level 1. Dates: Venue: Cost:

Mon-Fri 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 June 2017 (session 1) Mon-Wed 17, 18, 19 July 2017 (session 2) Northern College, Barnsley FREE

Functional Maths and Functional English is available at Entry Level 3, Level 1 and Level 2. For more details of all the courses available and dates please view their full brochure at http://www.northern.ac.uk/doc/courses/shortcoursebooklet.pdf

How to apply for these Northern College Courses: Please contact Northern College for an application form. Application forms should then be returned to The Registry, Northern College, Wentworth Castle, Stainborough, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S75 3ET. Email: courses@northern.ac.uk, Tel: 01226 776000, Web: www.northern.ac.uk For details of courses available at Northern College, view their full brochure online at:http://www.northern.ac.uk/doc/courses/shortcoursebooklet.pdf

Useful Information + External Courses

yorkshire & humberside education programme 2017

Please ask your Branch Education Co-ordinator/Secretary/Chair to sign the form here:

Membership number:

Please return to: Education Administrator UNISON Yorkshire & Humberside Regional Centre, Commerce House, Wade Lane, Leeds, LS2 8NJ Tel: 0113 2182330

Your position in the Branch:

Branch:

5. Branch Authorisation

Please give more details overleaf

First Name/s: Surname: Address:

Please tick  Overnight accommodation  Childcare at the Course  No accommodation  Facilities for disabled people  Special diet

Male  Female  Please tick  Bangladeshi  Black African  Black Caribbean  Black Other  Chinese  Indian  Irish  Pakistani  White  Other – please state

Postcode: Tel (work): Tel (home) Mobile: Email:

3. Your Personal details

2. Individual Requirements

4. Your Branch details

Location:

Dates:

Title:

1. The Course you wish to apply for:

APPLICATION FORM RESIDENTIAL find all our courses at www.unison-yorks.org.uk

APPLICATION FORM RESIDENTIAL

yorkshire & humberside education programme 2017

Please use this space for further individual requirements eg. special diet, facilitator for people with a disability. Please list children needing crĂ¨che places and tell us how old they are:

Please return to: Education Administrator UNISON Yorkshire & Humberside Regional Centre, Commerce House, Wade Lane, Leeds, LS2 8NJ Tel: 0113 2182330

PLEASE NOTE: No member should be deterred from applying for a course because of individual need. Please give details of your access or other needs OVERLEAF

Branch Authorisation: Please ask your Branch Education Co-ordinator/Secretary/Chair to sign here:

Please return to: Education Administrator, UNISON Yorkshire & Humberside Regional Centre, Commerce House, Wade Lane, Leeds, LS2 8NJ Tel: 0113 2182330

 Bangladeshi  Black African  Black Caribbean  Black Other  Chinese  Indian  Irish  Pakistani  White  Other please state:

Membership number:

Branch:

Please tick

Male  Female 

Postcode: Tel (work): Tel (home) Mobile: Email:

First Name/s: Surname: Address:

2. Your Personal details

3. Your UNISON details

Location:

Dates:

Title:

1. The Course you wish to apply for:

APPLICATION FORM NON-RESIDENTIAL find all our courses at www.unison-yorks.org.uk

APPLICATION FORM NON-RESIDENTIAL

yorkshire & humberside education programme 2017

Please use this space for further individual requirements eg. special diet, facilitator for people with a disability. Please list children needing crĂ¨che places and tell us how old they are:

l ortunities, g Members, Organised ps

Please return to: Education Administrator UNISON Yorkshire & Humberside Regional Centre, Commerce House, Wade Lane, Leeds, LS2 8NJ Tel: 0113 2182330

find all our courses at www.unison-yorks.org.uk

NOTES

Yorkshire and Humberside

education 2017 fullprogramme

You can find details of all the courses we run on our website w w w.unison-yorks.org.uk Designed and printed by UNISON Dragon Court Print Services, Unit 1, Dragon Court, Springwell Road, Leeds LS12 1EX