We now have a variety of online training courses to offer via the platform of Zoom (other platforms are available, please specify). If you wish to express an interest in attending a course, please ensure your organiser/official has authorised your application and submit your email via: [email protected]
When contacting your organiser please include:
- Your full name
- Membership number
- Contact email address (which you currently use)
- Branch
- Employer
Online courses for Prospect/Bectu reps
Reps Part 1: Key Skills for union reps (booking November/December dates now)
Reps 2: Handling Cases
Negotiating Skills
Introduction to Employment Law (runs for 3 consecutive weeks - 10, 17, 24 November)
Bargaining for a Sustainable Workplace (runs for 3 consecutive weeks - 5, 12, and 19 October)
Health & Safety (running 1-3 monthly as detailed below)
Introduction to Pensions (expressions of interest via your organiser or [email protected])
Pension Champions (dates to be confirmed)
New for 2022
Introduction to Equalities (initial expressions of interest via your organiser)
Prospect is committed to ensuring our workplace representatives have the skills and knowledge they need to carry out their trade union role effectively and to the best of their ability. We are constantly updating our online course offerings, check back here for the latest news.
All new reps will be required to get started by reading our Reps' Handbook before attending a Bectu rep course.
Trade Union Education
Trade union education is one of the largest adult education programmes in the UK and BECTU members have the option of attending:
-
The TUC (Trade Union Congress) programme held at colleges around the country
Values
Union education is informed by our values of solidarity, democracy, fairness, justice and respect for difference .
Methods
Discussion and debate are the key tools of trade union education, so your contribution and views will be encouraged and respected. Our training methods are firmly grounded in educational theory, they are effective and participatory.
Purpose
We are building a community of skilled, articulate, critical & confident union representatives and our courses are designed to achieve this.
What next?
Application is straightforward so please go to the section on 'how to apply' to find out what to do next.
If you can not find a course that fits your needs please contact [email protected] about organising a bespoke course for your branch. Use the document at the foot of the page to apply for funding for bespoke courses.
Running your own reps training
Bectu branches and other divisions of Prospect can get funding from the union’s education team to run their own representative training courses.
Running your own representative training can be useful if you have a specific current issue that the branch needs to deal with, or if several reps in a branch or Division need training or updating on the same skills or issues.
You can use elements from any of our courses or briefings to devise your own bespoke training session. The education team can advise on course content and how to plan training that will work well for the number of people attending and the time you have available.
Branch and Division training must be supported and authorised by the full-time negotiating or organising officer(s) for the relevant branch or Divison, so speak to your negotiating team before you put in an application.
To keep costs down and ensure that the union is able to offer funding for branch/Division training across the whole union, we ask branches to use employers' premises (if appropriate) and other facilities wherever possible and to identify training locations that will minimise expenditure on travel and accommodation.
You should submit an application for funding to the education team at least one calendar month before the proposed course start date. If you have any questions about the form or the application process please email the education team.
