Rep 1 - UCU reps induction: 30, 31, March, & 1, April, 2026, Yorkshire & Humber Region, In person, Leeds

This course is aimed at new reps/activists who will be undertaking this role in the near future. Existing reps who have not attended training before are also encouraged to attend. The course will cover all aspects of your role as a rep including your rights as a rep, union democracy, recruitment and communication. You should complete this course or UCU's intro to casework course prior to applying for the Rep 2 course.

Representing courses

Course details

Nation/region:Yorkshire & Humberside
Course meeting dates: 30, 31, March & 1, April 2026

Please ensure you can attend the entire course prior to submitting your application  form. Please further ensure you have secured time off from your employer to attend.
Course meeting times: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Course time commitment:Roughly 25 to 28 hours including pre-course work
Location:The St. Georges centre - Leeds https://www.stgeorgescentreleeds.org.uk/

Please Note: The closing date for this course is noon on Wednesday 25th March 2026. This allows course logistics to be completed in good time. Applications beyond the closing date risk not being accepted or dealt with.

Course content

This Rep 1: Introductory course will cover the following:

  • organising around Equality issues 
  • UCU organisation and democracy
  • your rights as a rep and how to apply them
  • organising and campaigning
  • communication with members
  • recruitment
  • members issues
  • collective responses

The course will give you a good grounding in the role, boundaries and expectations of a UCU representative. You will be expected to complete either the UCU Rep 1 or UCU Introduction to case work course prior to applying for the 'UCU Rep 2: Representing UCU members course.

UCU courses are funded via members' contributions and public funding.

Information Facility time

Time off for training is a right and one which should be exercised as part of normal industrial relations. For more info please see  Facilities and time off for UCU reps.

When you apply for a course we will assume that are making a commitment to attend the course as advertised, and have secured time off from your employer. Please contact your branch/region if you are having problems securing time off.


Important Before you complete this form, please be aware: You may be asked to register with the delivering college in which your trade union tutor is employed. Where colleges are drawing down funding for delivery you will be ask for your passport or equivalent identification details to register. This is a demand of the college who are following government requirements in order to satisfy public funding criteria. This is not a requirement UCU want to see and we are lobbying for change. However, as it stands, if you do not register with the college, your place will not be fundable.