The National Committee Skills Development Programme for 2025 offers training in the following areas:
Anti-Racism
Show Racism the Red Card: Introduction to Anti-Racism
Committee Skills
Smooth Running: Standing Orders Committee
Chairing Skills
Communication Skills
Dealing with Committee Paperwork
Speaking with Confidence
Leadership Skills
Leadership Development for National Committee Members
COURSE LOCATION
Face to face courses will be held at UNISON Centre, Euston Road, London NW1 2AY.
ALLOCATION OF COURSE PLACES
To ensure the effective application of UNISON principles of Proportionality and Fair Representation, places are allocated on national courses as soon as possible after the closing date instead of on a first-come first-served basis. In the event of courses being oversubscribed, selections will be made on the basis of achieving Fair Representation and Proportionality as set out in UNISON Rules and will ensure a fair spread of participants from committees and sectors.
ACCOMODATION AND TRAVEL
We will provide essential overnight accommodation and travel for participants.
Sessions have been set to run adjacent to committee meeting dates, although we appreciate you may not be a member the committee which is due to meet on the neighbouring date.
FACILITATION AND DEPENDENT CARE
It is UNISON policy that no member should be deterred from applying for a course because of facilitation needs, necessary childcare, or other care commitments. If you need support with any of these matters, you can let us know via the course application form and the necessary arrangements will be made as appropriate.
COURSE DETAILS AND 2025 DATES
Chairing Skills (in person at UNISON Centre)
This course will help you develop skills and confidence in chairing and facilitating committee meetings. You will learn how to keep meetings on track through effective chairing and how to encourage participation while maintaining control. You will discover practical tips and tools as well as understanding different approaches and techniques for facilitating groups in UNISON.
Thursday 16th October, 10.00am – 4.00pm
(closing date for applications: )
Introduction to Anti-Racism (online via Microsoft Teams)
This course will support attendees to:
- To understand what racism is, and how to recognize it
- To feel confident in how to respond to racism
- To understand allyship and how to be an active anti-racist
- To share good practice around embedding equality and what practical next steps could be taken
Following the session participants will get a link to download a PDF of the session, a reading/watching list and reflection tool (plus any other useful documents that may have been mentioned during the session).
We will share your name and email address with Show Racism the Red Card, they will contact you directly with more details and with the required pre-course questionnaire.
Friday 24th October, 09.30am – 12.00pm
(closing date for applications: )
Speaking with Confidence (in person at UNISON Centre)
This course will help you develop public speaking skills for your role. It covers:
- Speaking up in a meeting
- Getting your point across
- Owning your contributions
- Different styles, including delivering speeches
Tuesday 18th November, 10.00am – 4.00pm
(Closing date for applications: )
Dealing with Committee Paperwork (in person at UNISON Centre)
This course will help you to get through committee paperwork quickly and effectively and write reports for your constituencies. It will cover:
- Staying organised and planning ahead
- Tips for reading documents effectively
- Clear and concise writing techniques
- How to apply these skills through your committee roles
Tuesday 2nd December, 10:00 am – 4pm
(Closing date for applications: )
Smooth Running: Standing Orders Committee (in person at UNISON Centre)
This course is for members of UNISON National Standing Orders Committees and also for those who are thinking of getting involved in Standing Orders Committees and want to find out more about what they do. It covers:
- Being an effective member of a standing orders committee
- Understanding the role and function of standing orders committees
- Identifying what makes an effective standing orders committee
- Understanding how the conference agenda and order of business are decided upon
- Interviewing Techniques
Thursday 4th December, 10am – 4pm
(closing date for applications: )
Leadership Development for National Committee Members (in person at UNISON Centre)
This course looks at what it means to be an elected lay leader in UNISON and how to operate as an effective National Committee member. It introduces ideas about leadership in trade unions and applies this to the National Committees. There is the opportunity to develop skills in strategic planning, mentoring, and giving feedback.
This is an essential course for new national committee members, and all national committee members are encouraged to attend.
This is a two day course; you need to attend both days to complete the training:
Day 1 Monday 19th January, 10.00am – 4.00pm
Day 2 Tuesday 20th January 10.00am – 4.00pm
(Closing date for applications: )
CONTACT
If you have any questions please contact LAOS on l.organising@unison.co.uk