Pauline Lewis, Education Officer at Unison Havering
I am the Unison Havering Branch Co-ordinator, Pauline Lewis. I would like to take this opportunity to provide information about the range of courses available for members.
Unison offers a variety of courses to its members which can be delivered in a group session, undertaken online or in a workshop.
There have been a number of restructures across Havering and the UK which has created a climate of uncertainty and it is understood central government will reduce its funding to councils in 2020 which may impact Local Government further.
Many departments have limited training budgets so members are not updating their skills on a regular basis and may have been in the same job for several years. Unison offers member the opportunity to study for career development, personal development or develop new skills.
There are short workshops such as ‘Your skills, your future’ and ‘Get that job’. ‘Get that job’ workshops have been delivered in Havering Schools across the borough with massive success.
Information about UNISON learning can be found on the Learning and Organising Services website, https://learning.unison.org.uk
Our Return to Learn and Women’s Lives courses take place over ten weeks and help you to develop study skills and explore your hopes and ambitions in a friendly environment
As a UNISON member, you can claim a discount on many learning opportunities – including a 10% discount on course fees at Birkbeck University of London, 10% discount on GCSE, AS and A-level course fees with the National Extension College, and a 10% discount on a whole range of online courses from E-Careers
Together with the Open University, we organise workshops on topics including Dementia Awareness, Autism Awareness and Mental Health Awareness
We can arrange for various workshops to be delivered to members at their workplaces with permission from their managers
- staying strong, stress management
- community organising training module
- recruitment and organising activist
- lobbying game
- Power to be you taster session.
If members become trade union representatives, they can attend training courses such as employment law, mental health awareness, communicating with confidence and negotiation skills.
Trade union representatives acquire a range of skills, advocacy and mediation, presentation skills, analytical and research skills and improved communication skills. They can attend meetings with senior managers, represent members on a range of cases and contribute ideas at the Branch committee meetings
If you would like further detail on what training Unison Havering can offer you within your work place, please contact me on 01708433434 or by email Unison@havering.gov.uk
