LTB 462/21 – Residential / Online Education & Training Programme 2022

LTB 462/21

29th October 2021

TO: ALL BRANCHES


Dear Colleague,

Residential / Online Education & Training Programme 2022

The purpose of this LTB is to advise Branches that the NEC has endorsed a programme of courses for 2022.

Residential Programme
Arrangements have been made for our residential training programme to be delivered at The Elstead Hotel, 12-14 Knyveton Road, Bournemouth BH1 3QP.
Representative’s accommodation costs on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis will be met centrally.

Branches are responsible for student travel and any other appropriate expenses.
National Residential Programme – Venue: The Elstead Hotel, Bournemouth BH1 3QP

National Residential Programme – Venue: The Elstead Hotel, Bournemouth BH1 3QP
Date Course Cut-off Date for applications
Jan 19th – 21st Public Speaking 28th Nov
Jan 24th – 28th Occupational Health & Safety week 1 5th Dec
Jan 31st – 4th Feb Employment Law  week 1 12th Dec
Feb 7th – 11th Equal Rights Part 1 19th Dec
Feb 14th – 18th Essential Skills Part 1 19th Dec
Feb 21st – 25th Postal Agreements & Procedures 19th Dec
Feb 28th – 4th Mar Introduction to Health & Safety Part 1 9th Jan
Mar 7th – 11th Advanced Skills 2 16th Jan
Mar 14th – 18th Occupational Health week 2 23rd Jan
Mar 21st – 25th Employment Law  week 2 30th Jan
Mar 29th – 31st Chairing Meetings 6th Feb
Apr 4th – 8th Essential Skills Part 2 13th Feb
Apr 12th – 14th Women’s Leadership 20th Feb
Apr 19th – 21st Neurodiversity 27th Feb
Apr 18th – 22nd Introduction to Health & Safety Part 2 27th Feb
Apr 25th – 29th No course, CWU Conference
May 4th – 6th Mental Health Awareness 13th Mar
May 9th – 13th Branch Secretaries (new course) 20th Mar
May 16th – 20th Essential Skills Part 1 27th Mar
May 17th – 19th BAME Leadership Part 1 27th  Mar
May 17th – 19th International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia & Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) 27th Mar
May 23rd – 27th Occupational Health & Safety week 3 3rd Apr
June 6th – 10th Employment Law week 3 15th Apr
June 6th – 10th Intermediate Health & Safety Part 1 15th Apr
June 13th – 17th Union Learning Reps Part 1 22nd Apr
June 27th – 1st July Equal Rights Part 2 6th May
Sept 5th – 9th Postal Agreements & Procedures 16th Jul
Sept 13th – 15th Public Speaking 23rd Jul
Sept 19th – 23rd Advanced Skills Part 1 29th Jul
Sept 27th – 29th BAME Leadership Part 2 6th Aug
Oct 3rd – 7th Introduction to Health & Safety Part 1 13th Aug
Oct 10th – 14th Intermediate Health & Safety Part 2 20th Aug
Oct 10th – 14th Essential Skills Part 2 20th Aug
Oct 17th – 21st Postal Agreements & Procedures 27th Aug
Oct 24th – 28th Occupational Health & Safety week  4 3rd Sep
Oct 31st – 4th Nov Employment Law week 4 10th Sep
Nov 7th – 11th Advanced Skills Part 2 17th Sep
Nov 15th – 17th Mental Health Awareness 24th Sep
Nov 21st – 25th Introduction to Health & Safety Part 2 1st Oct
Nov 28th – 30th Women’s Leadership 8th Oct


Online Programme

Given that this method of delivery during the pandemic has been extremely well received, we have arranged to offer a smaller programme of online education enabling students to access courses using this method.

We have purposely matched dates of these with the residential programme to allow potential to pilot a “hybrid” approach where students can “stream” in to a live classroom situation.

Online course schedule  – Provider to be advised on application
Date Course Cut-off Date for applications
Feb 7th – 11th Equal Rights Part 1 19th Dec
Feb 14th – 18th Essential Skills Part 1 19th Dec
Feb 21st – 25th Postal Agreements & Procedures 19th Dec
Feb 28th – 4th Mar Introduction to Health & Safety Part 1 9th Jan
Mar 29th– 31st Chairing Meetings 6th Feb
Apr 4th – 8th Essential Part 2 13th Feb
Apr 12th – 14th Women’s Leadership 20th Feb
Apr 18th – 22nd Introduction to Health & Safety Part 2 27th Feb
May 16th – 20th Essential Skills Part 1 27th Mar
May 17th – 19th International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia & Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) 27th Mar
June 6th – 10th Intermediate Health & Safety Part 1 15th Apr
June 13th – 17th Union Learning Reps Part 1 22nd Apr
June 27th – 1st July Equal Rights Part 2 6th May
Sept 5th – 9th Postal Agreements & Procedures 16th Jul
Oct 3rd – 7th Introduction to Health & Safety Part 1 13th Aug
Oct 10th – 14th Essential Skills Part 2 20th Aug
Oct 10th – 14th Intermediate Health & Safety Part 2 20th Aug
Oct 17th – 21st Postal Agreements & Procedure 27th Aug
Nov 15th – 17th Mental Health Awareness 24th Sep
Nov 21st  – 25th Introduction to Health & Safety Part 2 1st Oct
Nov 28th – 30th Women’s Leadership 8th Oct


IT, Infrastructure and learning differences

Having tested online delivery of samples on both accredited and unaccredited courses, it is crucial that the student is set up appropriately and in good time before the training commences.

The learner must preferably have access to a good PC or laptop. Tablets can be used but have some limitation in our experience. Attending training courses using a mobile phone will not be allowed.

There must be a stable internet connection from the learning is taking place.

Colleges will also be in contact before the course to advise of any additional requirements.

We would appreciate Branches / ULRs assistance in ensuring any applicants are prepared in line with the above points. If any representative encounters difficulties getting set up with IT equipment in preparation for course attendance, please advise their Branch Secretary, Union Learning Rep or the Equality, Education & Development Dept. as soon as possible.

Additionally, upon application; please ensure that we are aware in good time of any adjustments that may need to be arranged such as issues relating to dyslexia or sight / hearing differences.

CWU Regional / Local Programme
Branches are aware that historically we also supplement our residential and online programmes by “on demand” courses where local CWU Branches / Regions can request courses be delivered locally.

Branches can request courses to be delivered using this model by emailing courseadmin@cwu.org in the first instance.

Student numbers
Successive funding cuts continue to be a factor in our discussions with our various providers. It is therefore necessary to be clear at the outset that minimum student numbers will need to be strictly adhered to. There will be an expectation that 14 students will be confirmed as attending local courses at least 6 weeks in
advance of the course to allow it to run.

Interim Application Process
Due to unforeseen circumstances the OLS course application process is not in use at present. Branch Secretaries should email applications to courseadmin@cwu.org containing the following:

 Name of Officer/Representative
 Membership number
 Email
 Name of course
 Date of course

Where applications are being made for both residential and online versions of the same course, Branch Secretaries should indicate the preference order by stating:

Choice A and Choice B

As previously, all applicants MUST be registered on the OLS as a Role holder or applications will not be able to be processed.

We hope to restore the OLS application process as soon as possible and will keep Branches informed accordingly.

Release & Notice
Paid release should normally apply where the union is recognised and/or in line with any existing agreements.

Please forward any enquiries relating to this LTB to courseadmin@cwu.org in the first instance.

Yours sincerely,


Kate Hudson
Head of Equality, Education & Development

21LTB 462 – Residential Online Education & Training Programme 2022