The UNISON College, launched at this year’s national delegate conference in June, is the union’s designated learning hub. It offers hundreds of free courses for UNISON members to develop their skills, careers and interests. With a combination of online, in-person and hybrid training, there are plenty of flexible options to suit workers’ schedules.
The college is one of UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea’s election pledges, with the intention to empower members and activists to reach their full potential and secure their future.
Given that 79% of women lack confidence at work, and that women and Black workers are over-represented in low-paid, insecure occupations, a union learning agenda is not just another perk of being in a union, it’s a matter of equality. With the support of the union, people can develop their skills and confidence, and progress to doing the work that they really want to do.
UNISON member Daniel Garcia Chavez is a healthcare assistant at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London. With the support of UNISON, he’s studying a weekly functional skills English course, in order to apply for the nursing associate training at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust.
“I found the course when I went to my branch education representative to ask for support to progress my career, which I knew would involve going back to university,” Daniel says. “UNISON’s support has been excellent – emotionally, professionally and technically – and I cannot thank the union enough.”
Learning doesn’t have to be just about career development, though. For UNISON member Neriman Yahsi, it’s a source of enjoyment in itself.
Neriman works as a phlebotomist at North Middlesex Hospital. She’s currently studying for a GCSE in English so she can study nutrition at the Open University.
“I’ve wanted to study for years, but as a single mother I never felt able to. When I had the time, I didn’t have the money, and when I had the money, I didn’t have the time. Now I can thankfully take this course for free, and it only takes two hours a week.
“Now that I’m studying, I feel like UNISON has put a light in front of me,” she adds. “I can understand books and television more, and I just wish that I had done this a long time ago. UNISON have been so encouraging.”
Gavin McCann, UNISON regional learning and development organiser for the East Midlands region, has worked in learning for 20 years. “We offer a lot of non-professional development courses, because people are so grateful to have that chance to take a break from their busy lives and focus on themselves. It offers mindfulness and stress relief,” he says. “Some of the courses we organise within the region include floristry, creative writing and paper crafting, alongside effective communication skills, Excel improvers and basic sign language.”
In a recent survey of 18,000 UNISON members, 80% said they were interested in some form of learning or career advice from UNISON.
UNISON head of learning and organising Teresa Donegan says: “The appetite for learning is massive. Members have overwhelmingly expressed an interest in learning through the UNISON College, to learn new skills, develop personally and to get better paid and more rewarding work, whether for their career, personal development, or to advance within the union.”
Christina McAnea comments: “Our union and our members face many battles in an ever-changing world of work. The college will equip activists with the skills and training they need to represent and support members, and crucially organise and mobilise for growth in our union and positive change in the workplace.”
Since the government has raised the retirement age, everyone is faced with working for much longer. UNISON is here to support members to secure their future with learning opportunities that enable them to reach their full potential.
Images by Jess Hurd
