The role of the union learning representative (ULR) Emily Spencer-Rigby

Who are union learning representatives? Union learning representatives can be found in almost all unions They can hold any workplace role and do not have to have ‘teaching’ skills or be academic They are committed to the learning and development of members

What does a union learning rep do? The key functions undertaken by ULRs are set out in the Employment Act 2002 Statutory functions are: identifying learning or training needs providing information and advice about learning or training arranging learning or training promoting the value of learning or training consulting the employer about carrying out such activities preparing to carry out any of the above activities.

What does an RCN learning rep do? An RCN learning representative has been accredited by the RCN to ‘support the learning and career development of RCN members in the workplace through enabling members to meet continuing professional development requirements for safe and effective practice’

OrganisingMaps their organisation and find out:  Who makes learning and development decisions?  Who are their external learning and development providers?  What existing local structures exist for members to utilise such as publications, notice boards, staff working groups Representing  Works with stewards representing members in cases where there are clear learning and development implications  Represents learners by joining a staff side committee  Promote awareness of equality and diversity in learning opportunities Negotiating  Negotiates facilities time and time off for learning representative duties  Seeks recognition of the RCN learning representative  Creates learning agreements through working with management and education departments

Influencing  Influences clinical development  Identifies and then look at ways of working across organisations and sectors to address skills gaps  Gathers and use evidence to influence the learning agenda Communicate  Signposts to all learning opportunities available including what the RCN can provide  Establishes relationships with those that influence learning and development within the workplace  Makes sure they are available and everyone knows how to reach them by using local resources such as notice boards, the intranet and publications to get their message heard Campaigning  Raises awareness through sessions, briefings and surgeries  Gets people involved in RCN campaigns like Dignity, Nutrition Now and Think Positive!  Works with the RCN to get local matters on the RCN Agenda

How can a learning representative support you? What opportunities are available to you? Are you concerned about changes to your role / ways of working? Could you work differently? Are there areas you feel could do with a brush up or be refreshed? Is your team working effectively? Why not ask your learning representative?

How can you become a learning representative? Contact your regional office and read the ‘Becoming an RCN Representative’ leaflet Take part in a workplace election through your branch Become accredited and embark on the RCN Learning and Development Pathway for Representatives

The Learning and Development Pathway for RCN Representatives

Would you like to know more? Contact your learning representative through your branch / regional office Visit the learning reps community cialisms/learningreps cialisms/learningreps Visit the unionlearn website Contact

The role of the learning rep – quick summary RCN learning representatives ‘support the learning and career development of RCN members in the workplace through enabling members to meet continuing professional development requirements for safe and effective practice’. They offer support to the individual through –signposting to learning opportunities –supporting learning skills e.g. portfolio development –Working with stewards in cases where there is a learning and development implication

They offer support to the organisation through –Sitting on staff side committees –Seeking out and engaging with those who make learning and development decisions –Influencing the learning agenda They promote the value of the role through –Gathering evidence to support their value –Promoting the role in the workplace –Supporting their fellow learning reps Seek out your union learning rep Become a learning rep Find out more. See handout….