September will mark the beginning of a busy semester for the Skills Academy, with more on offer than ever. In addition to launching a new calendar the Skills Academy has a new monthly Q&A session for branch training officers to make it even easier for branches to understand what training will best suit members, and a simplified registration process will streamline applications. 

Fórsa Induction - Wednesday 12th August - Online - Open to all new members     

Are you a new member or a long-standing member looking to be more active? Join our little welcome session for new members. Learn about Fórsa and how you can get involved in your trade union. Morning and evening sessions available. 

You can register for Fórsa Induction here. 

Monthly online Q&A session for Branch Training Officers – 1pm – 1.30pm Thursday 20th August – Online 

This new monthly session is open to branch training officers. If you are a branch training officer with questions about anything to do with training, this session is to give you the opportunity to find answers and clear up any confusion.  

An online invitation will issue to registered branch training officers in early August. 

Effective IR Practices (Level 1) - Thursday 17th September - Nerney’s Court, Dublin 1 - Civil Service members only   

If you are a branch rep in the civil service who participates in local industrial relations, along with your branch and union official, this is a session you do not want to miss. Learn how to stay calm under pressure, be prepared and get the best outcome for your members. 

A second session will be held in November for members from other divisions. 

Communications Training – Tuesday 22nd September - Nerney’s Court, Dublin 1 

Having solid lines of communication with members is crucial to the success of any branch. If you feel your branch could do with some help reaching your members this is the course for you. Learn the most effective tools for reaching your members and when to use them. Build your branch’s relationship with its members and craft compelling messages that will drive member participation.  

This session is available to members based in Dublin and surrounding counties. Cork and Galway sessions will take place later this year. 

Digital and Social Media (Level 1) – Tuesday 22nd September - Nerney’s Court, Dublin 1 

Or Tuesday 29th September - Limerick regional office 

Is your branch thinking of wading into the waters of social media? This course will give you a firm foundation in how to use social media to reach your membership. Make sure you’re using the correct tool for the job and give yourself and your branch the best opportunity to make a splash online. 

Ideal for novice and casual social media users. This course will give you a firm grasp of the basics, then you can take on the level 2 and learn how to use social media intentionally as an activist.  

These will be the only dates available for the Level 1 training this year. Register early to secure your place! 

Level 1, Workplace Representative Training – Tuesday 22nd to Thursday 24th September – Galway regional office   

If you are new to the role of workplace rep and want to hit the ground running, this session will give you a firm foundation in the skills you will need. Over three days, you will learn all the basic skills that you will need in your first year as a rep: the role and function of the workplace rep, improving interpersonal skills and building good working relations, organising your union work, recruiting members and handling problems, an introduction to equality and diversity, and health and safety.  

To register for a course:    

Aside from Live: Lunch & Learn and Fórsa inductions, participation in all courses requires sign-off from your branch and official. To apply, contact your branch training officer or secretary if your branch does not yet have a training officer.  

Branch officers with responsibility for training will be aware that there has been a change to the process for members receiving their training registration link. Registration links will no longer be sent to branches. Links will be issued directly to members following their branch’s nomination and confirmation of their eligibility with Skills Academy. 

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa.