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  9. UCU Rep 1 - induction: March 2026

UCU Rep 1 - Induction: 3, 10, 17 March 2026; Eastern & Home Counties region, online

This online course is aimed at new reps/caseworkers and activists who will be undertaking a branch role. 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, union democracy, recruitment and communication. You should complete this course prior to applying for the Rep 2 course: We would also suggest you consider the 'introduction to case work' course when it next runs in your region.

Representing courses

Course details

Region:Eastern & Home Counties
Course meeting dates: 3, 10, 17 March 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: All course meetings are held from 9:30am to 4:30pm with breaks
Course time commitment:21-25 hours
Location:Online via virtual course meetings, coupled with self-directed work and some group work both virtually and in course meetings.

Course content:

    This Rep 1: Introductory course will cover the following:

    • overview of trade union movement history
    • UCU organisation and democracy
    • your rights as a rep and how to apply them
    • communication with members
    • recruitment
    • members issues 
    • collective responses
    • responses to Covid-19 for reps.

    The course will give you a good grounding in the role of a UCU rep. You will be expected to complete this Rep 1 course prior to applying for the 'UCU rep 2: handling complex cases' course. You may also want to consider doing the 'Introduction to case work' course when available in your region.

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

    Information Facility time

    Online courses are no different to face-to-face courses in terms of time off for training. 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.

    We recommend that you take your facility time on the same day as your course meeting. This will allow you to complete the course activities, and to contact the tutor/attend the course debrief where offered.

    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.