LAOS homepage

• About LAOS
• Regional education officers
• Tutor Training Scheme
• Branch development
• Lifelong Learning
• Accessible training
• Learning is fun and free
• Time off for training
• Accredited courses

About Learning and Organising Services

Tutor Training Scheme

Tutor training is aimed at members and activists interested in learning how to run courses or use education methods to encourage greater involvement in branch initiatives.

A lay tutor is a UNISON member who has been trained to use education methods to run branch based training and organising. Anyone who is interested in learning more about how to use education methods is encouraged to apply - no previous qualifications are necessary!

The training, which is accredited by the Open College Network, is in three stages. Stage 1 is run in regions, and involves a 5 day course, a practice session and an equalities module. Stage 2 and 3 courses are run at national level.

Organising and branch development

Organising and the development of effective branches is central to UNISON's activist and member training. All our course materials aim to reflect the central organising message - the need to recruit and involve members around the workplace issues which are important to them and their colleagues.

Courses such as the introductory stewards course - the Organising Steward - and Winning the Organised Workplace help spread the organising approach through the union. Initiatives such as the development of lifelong learning advisers help bring new learners into branch activity.

Lifelong Learning

UNISON's Open College has led the field with its innovative learning in the workplace programmes such as Return to Learn and Women, Work and Society which offer new life chances to people who have traditionally been excluded from learning. LAOS works closely with the Open College and outside partners to develop a network of lifelong learning advisers and learning reps who can

• Encourage members and potential members into learning for their personal development
• Work with the branch to negotiate learning partnerships with employers covering issues such as time off for learning
• Encourage new learners to get involved in UNISON and help branches develop and organise

A Union Learning Fund project Establishing a Culture of Learning is funding further development of a network of branch based lifelong learning advisers and learning reps, with the aim of linking learning initiatives to recruitment and organising.

UNISON Open College

Training which is accessible to everyone

UNISON education and training courses are open to all activists and members. We will provide course materials in large print or braille and provide facilitation - please make your requirements clear when you complete the course application form.

If you have childcare or other caring responsibilities and you are attending training away from home or when you would not normally be at work UNISON will provide a creche or cover the cost of care.

LAOS and Regional Education Officers work closely with self organised groups representing women, black, disabled and lesbian and gay members to ensure that all underrepresented groups have access to our courses. Training is key to ensuring that all groups of members are able to participate fully in union activities -including UNISON members who work part time, or who are manual workers or low paid workers.

Training helps people challenge discriminatory attitudes and practices both within the union and the workplace. As well as running courses on specific equalities issues such as Tackling Racism, we also work to ensure that equalities issues are integrated into all activist and member training.

Learning is fun - and its free

UNISON courses are friendly and informal. They have been specially designed for adults. Training involves practical activities and working with groups of other UNISON members and activists. You don't have to listen to long lectures or take exams.

Training is stimulating and gives you a chance to step back from your job and your activist work to think and learn. Skills development and confidence building are important elements of most UNISON courses. You'll be surprised at what you learn on a UNISON course!

UNISON pays for the courses and materials for courses. Where there is a charge, it is to branches - not to you. If you are interested in finding out more - talk to your branch education co-ordinator or branch secretary.

Time off for training

Stewards, health and safety reps and branch officers have the right to paid time off for training in their union duties in most workplaces. Lifelong Learning Advisers and Learning Reps will also have entitlements after 2002. This applies to part time activists as well.

UNISON advises activists to give several weeks notice to employers and to provide managers with information about the course as required.

If you or your branch are experiencing difficulties in obtaining time off for trade union training contact your Regional Organiser or Regional Education Officer.

Taking credit

Some UNISON courses are accredited via the Open College Network (OCN). OCN credits are recognised by many training providers and colleges and are at the level of GCSEs or A Levels. If you wish to work towards OCN credits you have to keep a record of the activities on the training course and submit a portfolio at the end of the course.

It's up to you whether you want to be assessed for credits or not. Much of the assessment will be done by you and the course tutor, who will be able to help you with putting together your portfolio. There are no exams.

CONTACT DETAILS • UNISON Learning and Organising Services 1 Mabledon Place London WC1H 9AJ