STUC. Scottish Union Learning. The learning force behind Scotland's workers.

TUC Education in Scotland

Each year over 70,000 trade unionists (3,000 in Scotland) enrol in trade union education courses organised by the TUC or by its affiliated unions in the UK. Those arranged by the TUC are attended by representatives of member unions.

These courses include:

• Union Reps (Shop Stewards)
• Health And Safety Reps
• Union Learning Reps (ULRs)
• Pension Scheme Trustees
• Equality Reps
• Other Trade Union Reps
• Union Professionals & Staff
• Trade Union Tutors

TUC Education offers high quality, accredited training through a network of colleges of further and higher education across the UK. The courses are offered flexibly to suit the needs of Union Reps and Professionals, and through the traditional ten-day release model.

The core reps programme consists of:

• Union Reps Stage 1 Course
• Stepping up - The Advanced Course for Union Reps
• Health & Safety Stage 1 Course
• Next Steps for Safety Reps - (Health & Safety Stage 2 Course)
• Union Learning Reps Course

Download
You can download the current course programme booklet for Scotland here.

Qualifications

Union Reps attending TUC courses will gain National Open College Network (NOCN) accreditation for units of qualifications that are held on the New Qualifications Credit Framework (QCF). The New Qualifications Credit Framework will eventually hold all national qualifications. These units of accreditation can be built up to gain qualification Awards, Certificates and Diplomas at various levels. Below is a chart showing qualifications, their levels and the number of credits needed to gain the qualification.

All units used on the TUC Education Programme are mapped to the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). TUC Course coordinators will be happy to provide further details upon enrolment on the TUC Education Programme.

Three qualifications are available for Union Reps; Health & Safety Reps; and Learning Representatives. Reps achieving credits at OCN level 3 on the second stage courses will now have the opportunity to gain these new awards.

The core courses lead on to a programme of three Diploma courses. These Diploma programmes are accredited as access courses into higher education and are offered as evening classes or day release courses:

• TUC Diploma in Contemporary Trade Unionism
• TUC Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health (also available as an online course)
• TUC Diploma in Employment Law

There are a range of learning pathways established into University Degree courses and to the Safety Technician (Tech IOSH) grade of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).

In addition, the TUC offers short courses covering a range of trade union issues including Employment Law, Health and Safety, Equality and Pensions.

TUC Education is increasing access to its programmes by finding innovative and flexible ways of delivering training to trade unionists. This includes online learning through TUC Education Online.