Tuesday 24th June was a big day for Fórsa’s Skills Academy. Course participants and well-wishers gathered in Nerney’s Court for the first Skills Academy award ceremony. 

Awards were presented to participants from the 2024–2025 academic year who took part in chairs and secretaries training, leadership training, the mentorship programme, and levels one and two of workplace representatives training. 

The event was a celebration of the course participants, with contributions from a number of them. The event was at times raucous, at times earnest, and on occasion touching.  

Workplace representative training level one: Majella Murphy, Clodagh Kavanagh, Michael Crowe, Ian Patel,John Buggy, Andrea Somerville, Daniela Abrudan, Declan Foley, Gary Rutledge, James Bradley, Bernie Kelly, Cameron Hourigan, Paul Dwan, Kevin Foley, Jennifer Drohan, Robert Black, Kevin Callinan. 

Fórsa vice-president Michael Crowe, head of the training sub-committee, and general secretary Kevin Callinan were on hand to present course participants with their certificates of completion. 

In his address, Michael Crowe emphasised the importance of labour representatives having confidence in their workplace, and the vital role that training plays in fostering that confidence. He said, “Thank you all for being visionaries in seeing what we hope will be the future of Fórsa in the workplace, you are leading the change.” 

Workplace representative training level two: Clodagh Kavanagh, Majella Murphy, Michael Crowe, Ian Patel, Thomas Madden, Darren St. Leger, Catherine Black, Jennifer Drohan, Garry Whelan, Kevin Callinan. 

Kevin Callinan praised the Skills Academy for its work. He said, “I don’t think there’s another union in the country doing the level and standard of training we are doing.” He praised the course participants for stepping forward. 

Chairs and secretaries training: Clodagh Kavanagh, Majella Murphy, Michael Crowe, Ian Patel, Sorcha O’Connor, William Mooney, Geraldine Whelan, Gary Guilfoyle, Elain Quinn, Elaine Gallagher, Kevin Callinan.

Director of membership training and development, Fiona Dunne, praised course participants for their time, effort and hard work.  

She said, “Workplace representatives and branch officers are the lifeblood of our union and with their knowledge, skills, and expertise locally, the union grows stronger. Training and development programmes provide the information, skills platform, and opportunities to learn and develop key skills to build confidence and capacity to be effective in their role. “ 

“At the Skills Academy we understand the commitment and dedication our representatives have and what it takes to complete their learning, whilst balancing their work and family life. We hope the presentation of certificates goes some way to showing that appreciation on behalf of the union and members.”  continued. 

Leadership training:Clodagh Kavanagh, Fiona Baskett, Michael Crowe, Ian Patel, Caoimhín Ó Tuathail, Majella Murphy, Linda O’Sullivan, Kevin Callinan.

A second award ceremony for students of the 2024-25 academic will take place later this year.  The winter awards ceremony is set to take place following the November consultative council. More information will be issued closer to the date. 

Mentorship program:Denise Knezovic, Jim Doherty, Majella Murphy, Clodagh Kavanagh, Michael Crowe, Ian Patel, Daniela Abrudan, Gary Rutledge, Liam Mullins, Martina McKenna, Kevin Callinan.

Upcoming: Lunch & Learn – Supporting our Pink and Blue campaigns – 1-2pm Friday 25th July – Online 

Lunch & Learn will continue on the last Friday of every month through the summer break. The next session takes place on Friday 25th July. Skills Academy will be joined by Eimear Conroy, senior relationship manager with Cornmarket, and Juliette O’Connell, outreach officer with Breast Cancer Ireland, to discuss the Pink and Blue Power Programme, and raise awareness around breast and prostate cancers. Register here. https://forms.office.com/e/hGXm4J0Vvn 

Fórsa Induction for new members – Online - Wednesday 13th August  

Also continuing throughout the summer, the next Fórsa Induction will take place on Wednesday 13th August. It is a short, informative session designed to unravel some of the mysteries of the union and provide a warm welcome to new members. Register here. https://forms.office.com/e/WeJyZ7pqfg  

Register for next semester 

Solas training for Dublin and Leinster branches, taking place on Tuesday 2nd September in Nerney’s Court, is now open for registration.  Details were emailed to all branches last week and will remain open until the end of July. 

Level 2 Workplace Representative Training in Dublin is now open to those who have completed Level 1 or have 2+ years' experience as a workplace representative.  It is imperative that those who register commit to all three parts over four dates, as only participants completing all sessions will receive a certificate of completion. 

Other courses taking place in September will be opened throughout July for registration and will be sent to branches as per our procedure so branches should keep an eye on their email accounts during the summer. 

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa.