A Union Learning Rep (ULR) is the person at work who helps their colleagues to access the learning, training and development they need for work and life.
Making colleagues aware of the learning opportunities available to them, and ensuring they’re all able to get the training they need for their jobs and careers, is the core of what a Union Learning Rep does.
It’s a great way for people like you to become active in your union in a really positive and helpful way, gain more confidence and develop yourself along the way.
The ULR is a legally protected union role role, like a Health & Safety Rep – meaning if UNISON has a recognition agreement that covers your workplace, your employer has to give you reasonable time off to train and to carry out your role.
Steps to becoming a ULR
Three steps to becoming a ULR:
- Contact your UNISON branch and volunteer as a ULR
- Submit a Notification of Workplace Rep form to your branch so your employer is notified and you get your right to attend ULR training.
- Register for the ULR training via MyUNISON
- When you log on to your MyUNISON account, click “UNISON Courses” and search for “Union Learning Rep” courses. Select the course you’re looking for (see options below)
If you don’t have a MyUNISON account, please register here now.
Download a longer step-by-step guide to booking a place on a course via MyUNISON
Next UNISON Cymru Wales Union Learning Rep Stage 1 Training (online)
4 full days delivered by expert tutor from Adult Learning Wales | Addysg Oedolion Cymru and includes session with UNISON Cymru Wales Learning Team.
3,4,10 & 11 December 2024 (9.30am – 4.30pm)
All 4 days must be attended.
We recommend ULRs in Cymru Wales region attend the Wales-specific training. Closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 8 November 2024.
Book ULR course for Wales via MyUNISON
Can’t access MyUNISON? Download the Word files below
Next New ULR Training – UK Wide (online)
4 half days, non-accredited. UNISON Cymru Wales Learning team can offer ULRs trained on the UK-wide course an additional 1-to-1 sessions to tailor to Welsh learning and skills context.
Wednesday 6, 13, 20 & 27 November (9.30 am – 1.00 pm)
Book Union Learning Rep (ULR) online training – UK
Learners who participate in the UK course will be invited to attend day 3 of the Wales course to learn about the way union-led learning works in the Cymru Wales region.
Most of our ULR training courses are now held online, but we are also working with our branches to organise face-to-face courses for workers in different parts of Wales.
The course will teach you:
- The role of trade unions in learning and skills
- The role and functions of the ULR
- Trade union approaches to workplace learning and relevant best practice models
- Key policies and programmes relevant to the adult skills system in Wales
- How to promote learning in your workplace
- How to identify learning needs
- How to work with your branch and your employer to remove barriers to learning and in-work progression
Additionally, version of the ULR course we run in Wales also includes additional module on digital championing to help you learn more about supporting the digital skills needs of others.
Your UNISON branch will need to agree to your nomination as a ULR and pay the relevant course fee, as set out on the application form.
For more information, please speak to your branch or our Wales Union Learning Fund team about becoming a UNISON ULR.
As a ULR you’ll become a key part of UNISON’s lifelong learning team and an activist in your local UNISON Branch.
You will receive all the support you need from our Wales Union Learning Fund (WULF) project and the Wales TUC’s network of ULRs across the country.
Your next steps…
- Find out more about the ULR role here
- Download and complete the latest ULR course flyer
- Find out how to register your interest in this course on your MyUNISON account
- Need to know a little more? Email the Cymru Wales learning team and we can set up a one-to-one call
- Workplace digital champions
Diary Dates:
UNISON Cymru Wales ULR SkillsBuilder Session 2
CPD and networking for new and existing ULRs.
Topic: Redundancy Support
13:00 – 14:30 – 16 April 2024 – Microsoft Teams
