Union Education Mission Statement:
The CWU is committed to the training and education of representatives and members at all levels in the organisation to a high standard. In this context we will provide a high quality training/education service that equips CWU representatives and members with the relevant knowledge and skills to enhance their effectiveness as Union Representatives while reinforcing the values of the Union.
The Union also commits, where possible, to remove literacy barriers which may prevent members accessing and participating in the Union. The CWU advocate the promotion and improvement of adult literacy.
The CWU will commit the resources at its disposal to meeting these training and development needs.
The Committee
The CWU Education Committee is elected for a 4 year term from members of the National Executive Council. The current committee is as follows:
Committee Members:
- Carol Scheffer, Education Officer
- Pat Kenny, An Post Staff Side Secretary
- Ray Lawlor, Eircom Dublin No.3 Branch
- Willie Mooney, An Post Dublin Postal Clerks Branch
- Martina O’Connell, An Post Cork Outdoor Branch
- Cormac O’Dalaigh, An Post Dublin Postal Delivery Branch
- Jim O’Flynn, Eircom Limerick District Branch
- Ivor Reynolds, Eircom Dublin No.1 Branch
- John Tansey, An Post Carrick-on-Shannon Branch
Aim of the Committee
The CWU Education Committee will provide comprehensive quality training courses for our Union Activists. This training will enable Activists to represent members to the best of their abilities and to enhance their effectiveness as Union Representatives.
The Committee will continue to develop other training networks through ICTU, the VEC’s, through partnerships with other unions, through Skillnets projects and through other training providers.
The CWU will continue to offer training participants a pathway to learning and to assist in the development of key skills so as to ensure that our Representatives are well equipped to meet the growing needs of the membership.
Internal courses
Our internal training provision consists of the following training courses:
- Branch Secretary Training Stages 1, 2 & 3
- Committee Training
- Branch Officer
- Treasurer
- Chairperson
- Organising & Recruitment
- Disability Champions
- Equality Representative Module
- Union Adviser
- Youth Training
- New Committee
- Potential Activists Members course
Email us at info@cwu.ie with suggestions or ideas.
The National Executive Council of the CWU believes that education and training among its lay officials and activists is the single most important thing when it comes to providing representation to members. The Union prides itself on having a network of branches throughout the country whose activists are trained to a standard which is among the highest within the Irish Trade Union Movement.
Following recent Branch AGMs and elections there will have been some changes at Branch Officer and Committee level within Branches and the Union is therefore seeking nominations for the forthcoming education courses:
Tuesday March 29th – Thursday March 31st 2011 (3 days)
Venue: Dublin
All newly elected Chairpersons are required to attend this course, as well as any Chairperson who may not have had the opportunity to attend in the past.
Branch Secretary Stage 1
Trade Union Studies FETAC
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October 18th, 19th, 25th, 26th & 27th 2011 (5 days)
Venue: Dublin
All newly elected Branch Secretaries are required to attend the Stage 1 course, as well as any Branch Secretary who may not have had the opportunity to attend in the past. Those who wish to gain the accreditation will have assessments to complete. While all newly elected Branch Secretaries are required to attend the course, it will be at their own discretion as to whether they would like to avail of the certification. For further information on this course please contact the Education Officer, Carol Scheffer directly.
Subject to numbers and the availability of training dates, we may be in a position to offer this course to established Branch Secretaries who wish to avail of the certification in the Autumn.
Wednesday April 27th & Thursday April 28th 2011 (2 days)
Venue: Dublin
All newly elected Branch Officers, other than the Chairperson or Branch Secretary, should attend, or anyone who has not had the opportunity to attend before. The course is open to Assistant Secretaries and Vice Chairpersons.
Tuesday May 10th & Wednesday May 11th 2011 (2 days)
Venue: Dublin
All newly elected Treasurers should attend this course. This course is subject to numbers requiring the training, therefore nominations are invited to assess the demand for the course.
Monday September 12th – Friday September 16th 2011 (5 days)
Venue: Dublin
This course should be attended by Branch Secretaries who have completed Stage 1 and are in their second or consecutive term as Branch Secretary. This course is subject to numbers requiring the training therefore nominations are invited to assess the demand for the course.
Wednesday September 21st & Thursday September 22nd 2011 (2 days)
Venue: Dublin
The Equality Representative is a support role to the Branch Secretary who can assist with equality related matters such as work/life balance, statutory and non-statutory leave, disability in the workplace etc. This course is open to all Branches but is more suitable to those with 50 or more members.
2 half days the dates of which will be set with branches as required
Venue: To be agreed with the local committees
The Education Committee will make courses available at different venues around the country so as to facilitate Branches which have their own individual requirements for Committee training. Availability will be subject to numbers and the Branch Secretary will be responsible for attendance. Please contact Carol Scheffer directly to discuss your requirements. All newly elected Committee members are required to attend the course, as well as Committee members who may not have had the opportunity to attend in the past.
Please note that it is mandatory that all those who are newly elected into their roles must be trained by the Education Committee.
I would ask that participants fill in the relevant nomination form for the courses they wish to attend so that we have the details recorded. Please also note that all of the forms can be downloaded at the links above.
It is essential that members who applied for training in previous years send in a new nomination form, as participants for all the above courses will only be assigned on receipt of the current nomination forms. Forms must be signed by the Branch Secretary as relevant. Please return forms to Union Headquarters or via email to Carol Scheffer as soon as possible.
The return date for the forms is Monday, March 7th 2011.
NALA FETAC LEVEL 3 - FREE QUALIFICATION