EC Papers September 2018

EDUCATIONAL

PRINCIPLES

Introduction

FUNCTIONAL

The GFTU celebrates its 120th anniversary in 2019. Keep an eye on our website for some very special events to celebrate the great contribution our organisation has made and continues to make.

SKILLS

To register as a learner all that you need to do is e-mail education@gftu.org.uk and let us have your name, e-mail address and Union so we can set up an account for you – it’s so easy to join the learning community and there are a lot of opportunities to learn and it won’t cost you a penny! So whether you are a shop steward, learning, equality or Health and Safety rep, developing your literacy, numeracy or ICT skills, a member of regional or national leadership or working towards higher level qualifications we have lots of learning opportunities. Take a look at Learning Pool at gftu.learningpool.com . Our webinars were very successful when they were launched and will run again. These take the form of one hour discussions with experts on important topics. In 2019 we are publishing a graphic novel on the history of the Labour Movement. The history of achievements made by working people has been dangerously ignored and we are proud to offer again our History day schools with leading experts in their fields translating the living importance of historical events in an accessible and entertaining way. We are also facilitating the work to establish an apprenticeship for trade union officers for the whole movement. We work in conjunction with many universities and colleges and will particularly be celebrating 120 years of one of our close partners Ruskin College in 2019 also. Our courses are in great demand so we will be operating a strict cancellation policy from now on and costs will be passed on to unions for those not attending. Course travel, subsistence, accommodation and materials are all free to members of GFTU affiliated unions. Regularly look at our website as further events will be added throughout the year. We encourage you to take every opportunity of the learning we have made available.

We could think of no better way of celebrating our past by committing expenditure to the future with our biggest education programme ever. We launched a new publishing imprint for trade unionists last year and our first publication was on trade union education and how it can be modified to become more powerful in the year’s ahead. See www.workablebooks.org . Our regular publication GFTU Viewpoint will resume and aims to provide food for thought and action concerning all aspects of union building. In turn this book inspired new training courses to train people to become better trainers in the trade union context. We need to grow a new generation of trade union trainers and we have created the exciting gold standard courses to do this. Also, our trade union management programme aims to equip a new generation of union managers and leaders. It combines very practical application along with strategic leadership ideas. To add some colour and depth to our trade union culture we have created an online shop ideal for your gifts for family, friends and union colleagues. See www.gftuethicalshop.org . We have also expanded our hotel and conference centre to meet the increasing demands of trade unions to hold events and training there. www.quorngrangehotel.co.uk . Members of affiliated unions can enjoy discounts in the hotel. We are conscious that many people have had their entire post 16 education with the GFTU. We continue in this tradition by offering pathways from functional skills to units designed to equip senior trade union officials, EC members and General Secretaries. We believe strongly in face to face learning, but also have an online learning platform. It is called the Learning pool. Through this you can learn whenever and wherever it suits you best, all you need is to be able to get onto a computer and log into your Learning Pool account.

FOUNDATION

SKILLS

ADVANCED

SKILLS

ARTS & CULTURE

FURTHER DEVELOPMENT INTERNATIONALISM

EVENTS HOW TO SIGN UP

Doug Nicholls General Secretary

John Smith President

5

For arrangements and how to sign up for courses and events please go to HOW TO SIGN UP