Union Learning Development Days
Thinking Nationally, Acting Locally
The position of the Union Learning Representative (ULR) is by definition based within the locality of the workplace, as most union learners want learning to be organised within the workplace.
To support the continuing development of the ULRs’ skills base, Scottish Union Learning organises Union learning Development Days. Workshops are delivered by Scottish Union Learning alongside partner organisations to ensure the content of the Development Days is focused on the skills required and demanded by the Union Rep network.
The Development Days also provide a valuable opportunity for reps to network and learn from each other. This is particularly important in the Highlands and Islands, where ULRs and other union reps may be isolated. Development Days also allow ULRs to organise cross-union courses to meet the collective needs of learners across different workplaces and locations.
Dates for Union Learning Development Days can be found in the Forthcoming Events section of the website.
Union Learning Development Days 2025-26
Locations: Aberdeen, Fife & Tayside, Glasgow and Inverness
Following feedback from Project Workers/Union Learning Organisers that there was demand for a return to localised in-person development opportunities for ULRs, SUL responded by organising a relaunch of reinvigorated and rebranded Union Learning Development Days (ULDDs).
The aims of the were agreed in consultation with ULRs and Project Workers, with the overarching aims being:
- To provide an opportunity for ULRs to access ongoing developmental training
- To provide a forum for ULRs to highlight development needs
- To support ULRs to develop local trade union actions and share good practice
- ULRs to influence Scottish Union Learning activities
An initial series of ULDDs were launched in Autumn, taking place in Aberdeen, Kirkcaldy, Glasgow and Inverness. Each ensured inclusion of the local Trades Union Councils. These were then repeated in Spring, with the developmental training being changed with each iteration.
The first series held a workshop on Artificial Intelligence, facilitated by Digital Skills Education. The second round focussed on the United Workplaces: Uniting Workplaces Through Learning project with a workshop on Tackling Harmful Narratives delivered by Show Racism the Red Card and a United Workplaces session delivered by the host Trades Council.
ULRs developed local networks to support each other in the training which they were required to undertake between ULDDs, thus developing skills to ensure more effective social learning in utilising free online learning programmes.
The Trades Councils spoke about the importance of local trade union networks, work undertaken by Trades Councils and how to get involved in upcoming activities.
Amy Snell of Aberdeen Trades Council said “It’s more important, now than ever, that we bring together and strengthen our community within the trade union movement. Being a rep can be hard work and we are facing unprecedented attacks on the working classes, this is why it is vital to build a strong local and national network of kindness, resilience and solidarity. We must galvanise workers from all sectors and be the backbone of our movement. This is the role of the trades’ council”.
Andrew Dainty, a PCS ULR and Branch Learning Coordinator added “Bringing ULRs together from different unions and workplaces ensures we are able to share good practice, to learn from each other and for us to develop our skills.”
Nuala Ashe a Unite Union Learning Organiser said “The Union Learning Development Days have been instrumental in bringing together Project Workers and ULRs for essential cross-sector and cross-union networking and collaboration within their local areas. The opportunity to learn from and be inspired by talks from activists and leaders within the union movement, sparks ideas and motivates delegates to return to their workplaces and initiate discussions on the benefits of collective learning for upskilling and personal development.”
Work is now being undertaken to assess the feasibility of developing ULDDs in additional locations.
Union Learning Development Days 2026-27
Visit www.scottishunionlearning.com/events/ for future union development learning days.
Contact SULevents@stuc.org.uk with any questions.
