It’s a busy month ahead for Skills Academy with plenty on offer this November. The ever-popular Fórsa Induction returns on the 11th, ideal for any of the many new members who joined us over the past few months who might want to find out more about this organisation they have become a valued part of.
For reps who found holding a megaphone on the picket a bit intimidating, the public speaking training on the 10th is ideal for building your confidence and ability to speak to crowds. On top of these, there is a wide array of other training sessions on offer.
A highlight of the Skills Academy calendar, the Winter Skills Academy awards ceremony is coming up this week, on Tuesday 3rd November, in Nerney’s Court, Dublin. Members taking part in the consultative council are encouraged to stick around and show support for their branch colleagues who have completed training during the year.
Branch Skills: Public Speaking - Tuesday 10th November - Nerney’s Court, Dublin 1
Requirements: Currently serving as workplace rep, branch officer, or executive committee member
Being able to speak to a crowd and hold their attention is a valuable skill for any workplace rep. Join Skills Academy and learn how to contain those pre-stage jitters, how to look confident, and how to get your point across. If you dread public speaking, don’t miss this opportunity to build your confidence and competence, and take your first big step on becoming a great public speaker.
Fórsa Induction - Wednesday 11th November - Online
Requirements: none
Join Skills Academy for a short welcome session for new members. Peel back some of the mystery of how we work as a union and how you can become more engaged, have your voice heard locally, and raise issues at divisional and national levels.
There are morning and evening sessions available to fit your schedule. So, if you’re a new member, wondering what you’ve become part of, or looking to become a union activist, make sure to join this session.
Fórsa Induction is a prerequisite for members looking to take on Workplace Representative training.
You can register for Fórsa Induction here.
Branch Skills: Effective IR Practises (Level 1) General - Tuesday 17th November - Nerney’s Court, Dublin 1
Requirements: Currently serving as workplace rep, branch officer, or executive committee member, not a member of the civil service division
Local industrial relations is the bedrock on which a union’s success is built. In these smaller day-to-day interactions, members learn the true value of having a union at their back. Whether it be resolving a workplace issue for groups or the individual, good outcomes on a local level turn coworkers into lifelong trade unionists.
Join Skills Academy and learn how to stay calm under pressure, how to go into every meeting prepared and how to get the best outcome for your members.
Note: there is a separate session available to civil service members who have a separate arbitration system not found in other workplaces.
Branch Skills: Conflict Resolution - Tuesday 17th November - Nerney’s Court, Dublin 1
Requirements: Currently serving as branch officer, or executive committee member
Conflict arises even in the best working relationships. What is important is to use conflict for positive growth and not to let it damage your relationships. Join Skills Academy to learn how to manage conflict when it happens and build better relationships with workplace representatives, members and management.
Branch Skills: Negotiation Skills Workshop - Tuesday 17th November –-Woodford Office, Santry, Dublin
Requirements: Currently serving as branch officer, or executive committee member
For branch executive officers attending management meetings, there can be a lot of pressure to get the best outcome possible for your members. Join Skills Academy and give yourself the edge you need to get your members the results they deserve.
In this one-day practical workshop, you will learn the essential negotiation skills required to become an effective negotiator and achieve successful outcomes. Learn the fundamentals of negotiation, how to properly plan and prepare, and find the style and approach that suits you best.
Branch Skills: Treasurer Training - Thursday 19th November - Nerney’s Court, Dublin 1
Requirements: Currently serving as branch treasurer or vice-treasurer
Branch treasurer is one of the most demanding positions a member can take on. The role comes with a set of duties and responsibilities that are integral to the successful functioning of your branch.
Join Skills Academy and learn what you need to do and all the important dates and deadlines you don’t want to miss. Being treasurer can be very difficult to pick up on the job. Save yourself the stress and hit the ground running with the Treasurer Training.
Branch Skills: Lámh sign language certified training – Monday 23rd November – Nerney’s Court, Dublin
Requirements: Currently serving as workplace rep, branch officer, or executive committee member
Pilot Course
A fantastic opportunity, especially if you work with adults and children with additional needs in education, healthcare, and social care settings.
Lámh is Ireland’s standardised manual or keyword sign system. It is a simplified sign system for communication with adults and children with additional needs. Some adults and children in Ireland choose to use Lámh as their main method of communication as their way of understanding the world and expressing themselves.
This course will be certified and broken into two parts. The first part will be delivered online. It will take three hours to complete and can be completed at your own pace but must be completed before the second in-person part. The e-learning platform will be available from 9th November.
The second part will be in person, held in Nerney’s Court, Dublin, on 23rd November. This session will take 4.5 hours, from 11am until 3.30pm.
The training will be delivered by Lámh, the organisation for the promotion of the Lámh sign system. Participants should provide personal emails to register for the e-learning platform as workplace email systems may automatically block registration confirmation emails.
Further information on this, and other Lámh courses, can be found here.
Branch Skills: Branch Training Officers ‘Facilitation Skills Workshop’ – Thursday 26th November – Nerney’s Court, Dublin
Requirements: Currently serving as branch training officer, or executive committee member
Join Skills Academy and learn the secrets to good facilitation. Learn how to know when to let things go and when to move things on, how to manage tensions, how to keep participants engaged, and the importance of knowing when your input is needed and when to step back.
How to register
If you see a course you would like to take, simply contact your branch’s training officer or secretary and let them know you are interested. They will confirm your eligibility and contact Skills Academy.
You will receive a registration link via email. Fill out the form in full and make sure you let Skills Academy know if you would like them to secure paid release for you.
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