It was all smiles, applause and laughter for the Skills Academy awards ceremony, in Nerney’s Court this Tuesday 4th November. Members from across the country representing each division and a vast array of branches gathered to receive their awards and celebrate the achievements of their union colleagues. 

Proceedings opened with a few words from Fórsa president Martin Walsh, who reflected on the power training has had in his own life as a trade unionist. He said: “Over 18 years ago, I sat down for, what was then called ‘new rep training.’ Since then, I have seen the people I sat in that room with grow and take on various leadership positions throughout the union.” 

“I’ve done pretty well myself” he quipped, concluding his short speech with a prediction: “This is just your first stepping stone to something wonderful.” 

An enjoyable afternoon for Clodagh and Martin.

Chair of the NEC training committee, Clodagh Kavanagh then took a moment to thank branch training officers for their work in supporting both members and the Skills Academy. She noted that some branches had yet to fill the position and encouraged members to consider taking on the role. 

NEC Training Committee member Majella Murphy praised the Skills Academy team for their “trojan work” and thanked Fiona, Judith, and Roisín for their tireless efforts. 

Receiving their awards on the day were members who had completed the branch chairs and secretaries training, industrial relations practices levels 1 and 2, negotiation skills, public speaking, presentation skills, communications & digital skills for reps, and time management trainings. 

All smiles for Maureen on a happy day.

Christine Fay, secretary of the Foreign Affairs & Trade clerical branch, elicited many knowing chuckles from the room when she credited the branch chairs and secretaries training with helping her to keep her sanity and to keep things going in committee meetings.  

She said: “It made me a better secretary and member, and reminded me of why I got involved in the first place. 

A rekindled sense of purpose for Christine.

Noreen O’Callaghan, of the school secretaries branch, encouraged others to avail of the training opportunities, saying: “It’s great to be able to learn new skills, even if you’re not going to be working Fórsa, they can benefit you in your job and in your life.” 

Receiving her award for communications & digital skills for reps training, Noreen was able to boast of already being a something of a social media influencer in her own right. During the recent school secretaries and caretakers strike, the branch social media accounts were a crucial asset to the campaign. Their posts garnered a staggering amount of attention, with one viral post earning over one million views. 

Insta-star Noreen already putting new skills to use.

Kate O’Sullivan, Fórsa’s director of digital and one of the tutors for the communications & digital skills for reps was on hand to congratulate her students. She said: “It was fantastic to watch how everyone took the tools we shared with them and used them to express their own ideas and creativity to make something wonderful.” 

She continued, “I couldn’t be prouder of how Noreen used social media during the strike. She really got the message out and turned it into an asset.”  

It's all about sharing skills for Fiona.

Director of membership training & development, Fiona Dunne, wrapped up the afternoon’s proceedings by thanking everyone for attending. 

She said “Trade union education is about sharing the skills you have. I think once people realise what skills you can learn on these courses and how useful they can be not just in union work, but in your own life and in the workplace, they will see what an important resource they have here that they can avail of.” 

Congratulations to all the graduates!

Live: Lunch & Learn – Grants & Schemes to Buy, Retrofit & Renovate Your Home- Online - 1-2pm Friday 28th November   

This month’s live Lunch and Learn session will focus on home improvement to save you money. Titled From Deposit to Dream Home: Grants & Schemes to Buy, Retrofit & Renovate Your Home, the session will feature guest speakers including Mark Solon, Managing Director of Symmetry Financial, and experts from the First Home Scheme, and SEAI. It will be a practical webinar that might just save you money or even be the key to getting that first foot on the property ladder. 

To register.

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