With February nearly behind us, the Skills Academy is now accepting registrations for its April courses. Don’t miss your chance to avail of fantastic courses like Public Speaking, Time Management, and Resilience Building. 

If anything strikes your fancy, you can email your branch training officer or the Skills Academy for more information.  

Fórsa Induction - Online - Wednesday 11th March - Open to all new members  

Unravel some of the mysteries of Fórsa with this short welcome session for new members. Learn about the functions of trade unions, the structure of Fórsa, how we operate, and how members can become more engaged, have their voices heard locally, and raise issues at divisional and national levels.  

Morning and evening sessions available.  

You can register for Fórsa Induction here.  

Level 1, WRT – Tuesday 24th – Thursday 26th March – Wexford Union Office   

This is a fantastic opportunity for workplace reps in the south-east of the country to learn how to not only fulfil their role as rep, but prosper. 

The course is designed for reps with no previous experience or training. It will take place over three days. The only prerequisite for taking this course is that you are a workplace rep and have previously taken the Fórsa Induction module.  

In this course you will learn all the basic skills that a representative will need in their first year, including:  

• the role and function of the workplace rep   
• improving interpersonal skills and building good working relationships    
• organising your union work   
• recruiting members and handling problems   
• an introduction to equality and diversity  
• health and safety.   

Communications Training – Tuesday 31st March – Woodford Office, Santry, Dublin   

This will be the last session of the branch comms training this academic year. Don’t miss your chance to learn the most effective tools for keeping your members informed, engaged, and active.  

Time Management – Tuesday 14th April - Nerney’s Court, Dublin 

Ever wish there were more hours in the day? Well, learn the tricks to make it seem like there are! This session will teach you all the ways to take control of your day and avoid the stress of looming deadlines. 

Public Speaking – Tuesday14th April - Nerney’s Court, Dublin 

Biennial Conference is just around the corner, and for many members it will be their first time speaking in front of such a large audience. If you are a delegate who will be speaking on a motion brought by your branch, and you aren’t yet confident in your ability to speak in public, then this course is for you. 

In this session, you will learn how to handle those pre-stage jitters, speak clearly and confidently, and make the best of your time in the bright lights of the INEC in Killarney. 

Industrial Conflict Resolution (Level 2) – Wednesday 15th April – Nerney’s Court, Dublin 

This course is for members who have previously attended the ‘Building effective local IR practices for course’ with Brendan Cunningham. This is the next step where you will learn how to handle IR issues when they come to conflict. Learn how to maintain positive working relationships without shying away from conflict and how to use conflict as an opportunity for positive change.  

Branch Training Officers Seminar - Wednesday 15th April – Nerney’s Court, Dublin 

A fantastic opportunity for branch training officers, and Branch Executive Committee (BEC) members covering training officer duties. Learn more about the role and meet with other training officers to discuss tips-and-tricks on how best to use training to benefit your branch. 

Resilience Building Workshop – Tuesday 21st April – Nerney’s Court, Dublin 

Learn how to enhance emotional intelligence and awareness of others, along with the tools and templates to effectively build personal resilience and reduce stress. 

To register for a course:   

Aside from Live Lunch & Learn sessions and Fórsa inductions, participation on all courses requires sign off from your branch and official. To apply, get in contact with your branch training officer or, if your branch doesn’t yet have one, your branch secretary. 

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa.