The role of the UCU learning representative

The role of a UCU Union Learning Rep is flexible and will depend on the branch/LA, the workplace and the individual’s interest. The role may include the following but this is neither an exhaustive nor prescriptive list. 
This list can help you to prioritise what things you might do within your College/University
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•	Raise awareness and promote the benefits of learning with the employer and employees
•	Provide information, advice, individual learning needs analysis and referral to union members on professional development, training, vocational education and recreational courses which may include:
o	Advice and referrals regarding teaching qualifications
o	Facilitating provision of continuing professional development (CPD) 
o	Facilitating provision of IT training opportunities 
o	Identifying and facilitating access to recreational courses
•	Identify, and respond to, the collective personal, training and professional development needs of the workforce, or parts of the workforce.
•	Promote basic and key skills training.
•	Act as the representative for members who have difficulty securing the release for the courses they consider necessary for CPD purposes.
•	Act as the first point of contact for consultation on employer proposals that affect staff learning, training or professional development. 
•	Promote/develop/secure courses relevant to academic staff during staff development days/week in liaison with the college staff development officer where appropriate. 
•	Negotiate the provision of learning, staff development and training with the employer.
•	Where appropriate broker the provision of learning with training providers, often the college itself.
•	Assist union members in accessing funding for learning where appropriate
•	Involvement in negotiating learning agreements with the employer 
•	Secure equal opportunities in the learning agenda including promoting learning opportunities to all groups of staff. Staff may have difficulty accessing learning opportunities due to discrimination based on, for example, where they work;  their contract type (part time/hourly paid, fixed term, agency staff); caring responsibilities; gender; ethnicity; disabilities; sexuality; age and length of service. 
•	Supporting innovative workplace developments such as Union Learning Fund projects. 
•	Work with branch officers and members to organise campaigns around learning/CPD issues
•	Consult and report back to members and relevant union committees on union learning activity and issues
•	Identify, develop and support other UCU learning reps and ULRs from other recognised workplace unions.
•	Establish and maintain support and consultation networks/ committees among members to assist in the above duties.
•	Promote the work of UCU with members and non-members
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•	Recruit members to UCU