Courses coming up in May

There is still availability in some UNISON courses coming up – ERA Refresher, Organising Stewards, Mental Health at Work and Writing and Editing Skills. If you are interested, see more here and contact your branch to apply.

ERA Refresher – Glasgow (residential) – 6 – 8 May 2016
This course is for any stewards/branch officers who have not undertaken any training in the last 5 years. It is not suitable for new and inexperienced reps. It updates participants on new developments in UNISON and relevant legal updates. Participants will reflect on their role as trade union activists and update their knowledge and skills on organising and representation.
It is an essential course to gain reaccreditation under the ERA. Although this is a weekend residential course, applicants can attend as a day delegate. Any stewards interested in attending this course should submit an application by 5.00 pm on Thursday 7 April.

Organising Stewards (part 1) – Edinburgh (residential) – 6 -8 May 2016 (part 2 on 3 – 5 June)
The first course in the stewards training programme; essential for those who want to become affective as workplace representatives and is compulsory for new accreditation. Although this is a weekend residential course, applicants can attend as a day delegate. Any stewards interested in attending this course should submit an application by 5.00 pm on Thursday 7 April.

Organising Stewards (part 1) – Inverness – 9 – 11 May 2016 (part 2 on 6 – 8 June)
The first course in the stewards training programme; essential for those who want to become affective as workplace representatives and is compulsory for new accreditation. Courses in Inverness are run over 2 ½ days for each part, commencing at 12.30 pm on the first day.

Mental Health at Work – Glasgow – 12 – 13 May 2016
The course will examine what is meant 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. This course is not suitable for inexperienced reps.

Writing & Editing Skills – Edinburgh – 13-15 May 2016
This course will develop and strengthen writing skills for Branch Communication Officers and activists. It is recommended that applicants have previously done the Communication Officer course or Magazine or Website courses, but this is not essential. Although this is a weekend course it is not a residential course and therefore any accommodation requirements must be arranged by the branch.

Further information regarding these courses can be found on the course programme http://www.unison-scotland.org/learning/