Training for Union Learning Representatives

The CWU provides a specially designed course to train its ULRs which is nationally accredited through the Open College Network (OCN). The CWU Union Learning Rep course is run in two parts. Each part is a week long course which can either be done residentially at the CWU Education Centre at Alvescot Lodge or run locally in your own region.

Part one of the course covers many of the key skills you will need as a ULR as well as the background of union learning, the CWU structure, the learning agenda and learner's needs. This part of the course will normally be undertaken within your fist six months as a ULR.

Part two goes into more depth on some the areas already covered as well as looking at negotiating skills, learning delivery and sustaining learning. This part of the course will generally be run about 6 months after part one and you will usually be with the same group of students.

Once completed CWU ULRs get a Union Learning Rep Certificate at level 2 from the Open College Network (OCN).

Once you have completed the CWU Union Learning Reps Certificate, the union would encourage you to continue with your learning. You could consider:

• Other CWU courses such as the One Day Equality and Diversity course, Communication Skills etc (Click here for CWU Activist Training).
• Doing courses to improve your IT skills so you can pass on IT knowledge to others.
• Doing an Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) NVQ, Preparing to Teach Lifelong Learning (PTLLs) qualification or Discussion Leaders course.
• Doing a course that builds on your personal interests or hobbies, something that is inspirational for you.

To see a possible CWU ULR Development flow chart, please click here.