About TUC Courses
Working Together
The TUC works in partnership with further education colleges, the Workers Educational Association and a small number of universities. The TUC and its partners share a commitment to education and training and a willingness to overcome obstacles and extend opportunities. The TUC sets high standards for courses - external inspectors have praised the standard and relevance of courses.
Paid release for training
The law on paid time off for training provides minimum entitlements for union and health and safety representatives. Questions about how much training and when are issues to be taken up with employers, bearing in mind TUC and union recommendations. When representatives apply for release they should check their own procedures with their senior representatives or full time officer
Union representative training
If a representative is an official of an independent trade union which is recognised by the employer for collective bargaining, then the representative has legal rights to time off with pay to attend courses approved by the TUC or their union. Courses must be relevant to the duties of the representative, and must also be concerned with matters for which the union is recognised by the employer for collective bargaining or other functions the representative carries out on behalf of members which the employer has agreed to.
Health and safety representative training
A safety representative appointed by a recognised trade union has legal rights to time off with pay to attend courses approved by the TUC or their union. The Health and Safety Commission's Code of Practice recommends that a representative should be given time off with pay to attend basic training as soon as possible after their appointment and that further training should be undertaken where the representative has special responsibilities or to meet changes in circumstances or legislation.
Pensions training
A trade union representative whose role includes dealing with pension issues may be entitled to paid time off to attend courses approved by the TUC or their union. Employee trustees are entitled to reasonable paid time off. Training must be relevant to the duties of the trustee.
It's free! The service is funded by the TUC - including course fees (except for commissioned courses), the cost of tutor training, course development, printed course materials and the administration of the service.
