GFTU Education Programme 2023 - 2024

Our education programme is delivered by GFTU Educational Trust

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Trade Union and Working Class History

Venue: Online

Dates: These will take place on the third Tuesday of every month from 19th September 2023 to 20th August 2024, 7pm-8.30pm.

Each will last for 90 minutes and will focus on helping attendees understand the subject matter in an accessible and participative manner. 

  • 19th December 2023 - British Volunteers in the Spanish Civil War, Meirian Jump (Director, Marx Memorial Library)
  • 16th January 2024 - The Revolution of 1381, Doug Nicholls (former General Secretary, GFTU)
  • 20th February 2024 - The General Federation of Trade Unions.
  • 19th March 2024 - The Great Dock Strike, Phil Katz (printer, designer, author and labour movement activist).
  • 16th April 2024 - Who was Tom Mann, Phil Katz (printer, designer and author, Yours for the Revolution: the evolution of Tom Mann's political thought).

Price: Free for affiliates & non-affiliates.

REGISTER HERE

Trade Union Leadership Innovation Programme (T.U.L.I.P)

Venue: GFTU Quorn Grange

Dates: Becoming an effective leader: 16th – 17th January 2024
Coaching and mentoring skills: 27th – 28th February 2024
Developing people: 25th – 26th March 2024
Managing budgets and finance together with Managing a safe and healthy environment: 22nd - 23rd April 2024
Leading innovation and change: 13th - 14th May 2024

As working people and their trade unions face unprecedented challenges, our Movement needs leaders with the skills, ideas and drive to make the world a better and fairer place. Carrying on as we have before in the hope that more of the same will save the trade union movement is not an option. The time for change is now and if you are a union leader who aspires to build our Movement through effective, innovative and bold leadership, then this programme is for you.

Visit the GFTU Educational Trust wesbite for more information

REGISTER HERE

Please note: The deadline for applications is 2nd January 2024.

Bigger Picture Seminars 

Venue: Online

Dates: 13th January 2024 (11am) - Conflict and Co-operation in a Multi-Polar World
11th May 2024 (11am) - Media Bias and the Search for Truth

These online, 90 minutes sessions are aimed at all trade unionists who want to take a step back in order to consider the wider forces at play that affect our lives. We know that the world is changing and that such changes affect us in many seen and unseen ways – but what do these changes mean for trade unionists and what influence can we bring to bear.

Price: Free for affiliates & non-affiliates.

REGISTER HERE

Health and Safety Stage 1

Venue: GFTU Quorn Grange

Residential Courses: 24th – 26th January 2024 (Follow-on sessions: 12th February & 11th March 2024)                                                                                                                      7th – 9th May 2024 (Follow-on sessions: 31st May & 24th June 2024)

Price: Free for affiliates. For non-affiliates: £475

The essential first course for new union representatives – both shop stewards and safety representatives. The course is split into a 3-day residential course followed by two further days delivered online.

We will explore the trade union approach to health and safety, how to spot and deal with safety hazards, the rights and responsibilities of union representatives, and the main aspects of health and safety legislation. We will also cover how to carry out safety inspections and participate in safety committees.

REGISTER HERE

Please note: The deadline for applications for the Janaury 2024 course is 10th January 2024. The deadline for applications for the May 2024 course is 22nd April 2024. 

Roots of Racism

Venue: GFTU Quorn Grange 

Residential Courses: 1st & 2nd February 2024
6th & 7th June 2024
                         

Price: Free for affiliates. £100 for non-affiliates.

The course will be led by the prominent trade unionist Roger McKenzie.

We will be looking at understanding the context of racism and where it comes from, the rise and mainstreaming of the far right, as well as challenging racism in the workplace and the community.

REGISTER HERE

Please note: The deadline for applications for the February 2024 course is 18th January 2024. The deadline for applications for the June 2024 course is 23rd May 2024.

Lessons in Organising 

Venue: GFTU Quorn Grange

Residential Courses: 12th – 14th February 2024
5th – 7th August 2024

Price: For affiliates: £200. For non-affiliates: £425

Several unions recently have won industrial action ballots despite the punitive thresholds imposed on them by legislation. What lessons can we learn from these successes so we can continue to win for members?

Drawing heavily on the success of the NEU in securing a huge mandate for action from their members across schools in England and Wales, we will be answering this question.

This course takes its name from the book written by our new General Secretary and others.

REGISTER HERE

Please note: The deadline for applications for the December 2023 course is 30th November 2023. The deadline for applications for the February 2024 course is 29th January 2024. The deadline for applications for the August 2024 course is 22nd July 2024. 

Workplace Reps Stage 2 (5 days)

Venue: GFTU Quorn Grange

Residential Courses: 14th – 16th February 2024 (Follow-on sessions: 8th March & 12th April 2024)
24th – 26th June 2024 (Follow-on sessions: 15th July & 5th August)

Price: Free for affiliates. For non-affiliates: £475

Building on the Stage 1 course, this course is suitable for new activists wanting to develop their skills and is also suitable as a refresher for more senior activists. The course is split into a 3-day residential course followed by two further days delivered online.

We will develop representation skills as well as looking at how activists can campaign and deal with issues collectively. We will also cover rights at work, the importance of the employment contract and how to ensure the union stays on the front foot with employers.

REGISTER HERE

Please note: The deadline for applications for the February 2024 course is 1st February 2024. The deadline for applications for the June 2024 course is 10th June 2024. 

Digital Strategy for Unions

A one-day in person course for union leaders to look at the opportunities offered by digital and its strategic importance for trade unions. We will be exploring some of the new concepts that have been developed by unions that combine the use of data with automated systems and digital information/communication platforms. This will be followed by a more in depth 2-day residential course to work with comms and digital officers on implementation for their union.

Part 2

Venue: GFTU Quorn Grange 

Residential Course: 14th - 15th March 2024

Application Deadline: 29th February 2024

Price: £150 for affiliates. £285 for non-affiliates.

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The Cost of Living Crisis (and how to get out of it)

Venue: Online

Dates: 6th March 2024 (1pm-4pm)
5th July 2024 (9am-12noon)

Price: Free for affiliates. For non-affiliates: £25

A half-day online course supported by leading progressive economists to explore the economic issues that affect trade unions.

The course will be based on the arguments put forward in the GFTU pamphletThe True Causes of Inflationand the accompanying bookThe Cost of Living Crisis (and how to get out of it”.

REGISTER HERE

Please note: The deadline for applications for the March 2024 course is 1st March 2024. The deadline for applications for the June 2024 course is 28th June 2024. 

Tackling Sexual Harassment

Venue: Online

Dates: 22nd January 2024 / 20th May 2024

Price: Free for affiliates. For non-affiliates: £50.

A one-day online course to help workplace representatives understand the nature of workplace sexual harassment, how to spot it and how to deal with it. It will explore reasons why sexual harassment is often not reported and the steps that unions and employers should take to ensure that harassment is taken seriously.

REGISTER HERE

Please note: The deadline for applications for the Janaury 2024 course is 8th January 2024. The deadline for applications for the May 2024 course is 6th May 2024. 

Health and Safety Stage 2

Venue: GFTU Quorn Grange

Residential Course: 19th – 21st February 2024 (Follow-on sessions: 15th March & 11th April)

Price: Free for affiliates. For non-affiliates: £475

Building on the Stage 1 course, this course is suitable for new representatives wanting to develop their knowledge and skills and is also suitable as a refresher for more senior representatives. The course is split into a 3-day residential course followed by two further days delivered online.

We will build knowledge of workplace safety legislation and how this can be used to not only ensure a safer workplace but also as a tool for building wider union organisation.

REGISTER HERE

Please note: The deadline for applications is 5th February 2024. 

Young Members' Development Weekend 

Venue: GFTU Quorn Grange 

Residential Course: 10th - 12th May 2024

Price: Free for affiliates. £325 for non-affiliates.                                    

Full of inspiration, opportunity, education and networking, this is a real chance for young members across the movement to develop their skills, gain knowledge and create links with other trade unions

REGISTER HERE

Please note: The deadline for applications is 19th April 2024.

Train the Trainer

Venue: GFTU Quorn Grange 

Residential Course: 13th - 15th May 2024

Online Follow-on Sessions: TBC                             

Price: For affiliates: £150. For non-affiliates: £285.         

This course is aimed at any activist or officer who delivers training for union activists. The aims of this introductory course are to equip participants to be able to run training sessions and to explore ways in which they can make sessions lively and interactive.

The broad outline of the course is:

- how adults learn and learning styles

- making group work

- variety of learning methods

- using a scheme of work

- assessment and evaluation

- dealing with difficult situations

At least one follow on session will be held online to support participants in planning and delivering their own session.

REGISTER HERE

Please note: The deadline for applications is 29th April 2024.

Workplace Reps Stage 1 (5 days)

Venue: GFTU Quorn Grange

Residential Courses: 26th – 28th June 2024 (Follow-on sessions: 19th July & 9th August 2024)

Price: Free for affiliates. For non-affiliates: £475

The essential first course for all new union activists. The course is split into a 3-day residential course followed by two further days delivered online.

We will be looking at the role of the rep, how to effectively represent members in a variety of situations, how to build the union in your workplace, and the importance of good communication with members and your union.

REGISTER HERE

The January course is now full. Please sign-up for the June 2024 course. 

Please note: The deadline for applications for the June 2024 course is 13th June 2024. 

GFTU Summer School

Residential Course: GFTU Quorn Grange

Dates: 19th - 22nd August 2024

Price: £200 for affiliates. £425 for non-affiliates. 

This is our annual opportunity to take stock and think about the future of the Movement and where we go next. As we look to build on recent organising and campaigning successes, the course will help participants to think strategically and embrace new ideas.

Our Summer School provides the space and stimulus for a bolder, bigger and better union Movement. This course is aimed at experienced and newer trade union activists who want an opportunity to think outside the box with key leaders from across the movement. 

REGISTER HERE

Please note: The deadline for applications is 5th August 2024.

Before booking onto a course, please click here.

**The deadline for booking a place on a training course is usually 30 days prior to the event, unless otherwise stated. If we have insufficient uptake, it may be postponed or cancelled. Attendance and arrangements will be confirmed in advance.**

For any queries please contact our Education Administrator, Mark Robinson, on 01509410978 or markr@gftu.org.uk.