Training

TRAINING CURRENTLY ON OFFER 

1) Regional training : email eastern@ucu.org.uk for more info/enrolment  Delivered online by the your Eastern & Home Counties Regional Office team.

Casework courses:

  • We are holding a casework taster, 1h to explain what casework would involve, on 21 Sep 4-5pm
  • We offer a casework course to train new caseworkers. The next one is being held in the autumn term 2026 on 22 Oct 10am-5pm plus 5 Nov 10am-1pm. Participants must attend both sessions.
  • We also have a program of 1h “Casework Scenarios” open to trained or experienced caseworkers only. Ask the regional team to attend, the first of these is 4-5pm on 12 Nov with the topic to be announced.
  • We also offer a casework refresher course. This 3h session will assist those caseworkers who were trained some years ago now! Date TBC

Bargaining Training 

  • This is a 3-part course for those involved in negotiation within the branch which will be held online. The next one is on the afternoons of 9 Nov, 16 Nov, 23 Nov. All 3 sessions must be attended.

Organising Bitesize 

  • Intro for New Reps – Sept 9thth & Oct 8th 4.15pm -5.30pm                                    An induction-style briefing that is targeted at new Reps covering the essential info on who we are /what we do / sources of info/ next steps.
  • Where are your members? (mapping & why it’s important) 12th November 4.15 -5.15pm 
    For any reps that will be accessing the membership database and using it for mapping of members as the start to any organizing and recruitment activities
  • Recruitment – Advice & Tips  26th November 4.15 -5.15pm
    For any Reps whose focus will be recruitment of new members . A very quick introduction to some essential activities that every branch should have in place on a regular basis

2) National Training – https://www.ucu.org.uk/training 

UCU central Training Dept also organises the UCU full Rep training program. We recommend all reps complete a Reps 1 course plus Health & Safety reps must complete a H&S1 course. There are also a variety of courses across many specialist areas ( e.g. Equality , Workload , H&S etc. )  Courses are online and in person-  Clink link above for more info and enrolment details

3) CPD webinars – see https://cpd.web.ucu.org.uk/ , or email Glen Pickard

UCU is passionate about learning and personal development and has created an extensive programme of online interactive workshops. We run these workshops regularly throughout the year free for all members. See link above for more details.

4) TUC courses – You can also register for TUC courses 

As a national Trade Union affiliate to the TUC (Trade Union Congress) UCU members and Reps can also access TUC Education resources. & enrol on TUC Rep courses. See link above for more info.

GENERAL TRAINING INFO :

Regional training: Most of our training courses cover practical skills as well as sharing information.  To facilitate this, some of our longer courses will include group work and role plays in a supportive environment. Please let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments you may need to allow you to participate fully in the training, or if you have any concerns which you would like to discuss. Courses are online and free of charge to you.

National training courses: Free of charge. Some are online and some are offered in person often at Conel in Tottenham. Please watch out for an email containing the joining links a few days prior to the course either from this regional office or the tutor directly. Please ensure that you can attend all dates of any multi-date course. We may be charged for late cancellations, or undersubscribed courses may need to be postponed, so please help us by registering as soon as you can and letting us know of any attendance issues. Read this further information regarding time off for training. Please ensure that your Branch Secretary is aware that you are attending such training.

If you have further queries about training contact easternadmin@ucu.org.uk