Trade union official apprenticeships - where to start
You can get into this job through
a university coursean apprenticeshipworking towards this roleapplying directlytraining with a professional body
University
You may be able to join a national head office as a research officer straight from university, if you've got a relevant degree or postgraduate qualification. You could study any subject though common ones include:
social science, politics, economics or law.
You'll usually need 2 to 3 A-Levels, or equivalent, for a degree. You'll need a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study.
Apprenticeship
You could do a trade union official higher apprenticeship.
This usually takes around 18 months to complete.
Most people following this route have 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A-Levels, or the equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship.
Work
You could start as a learning rep in a local union office. This would help you to get experience and an understanding of the workings of the union at ground level.
Volunteering
There's a lot of competition for full-time jobs, so relevant paid or voluntary experience could give you a head start when you apply for work. Relevant experience could include advice work, student or local politics, mediation and negotiation jobs or campaigning.
Direct Application
You may be able to apply directly if you've got a background in adult education or training and development.
It can also help if you have experience in the voluntary or public sector, or experience of tackling issues around equal opportunities, economics, or health and safety.
For many jobs at national head office level, you'll normally be qualified and experienced in a specialist area like:
employment or general law, economics, trade union legislation or organisation, media
research or education and training.
Other Routes
You could do work-based training courses through Unionlearn or the General Federation of Trade Unions. Training like this could be useful when you apply to become a full-time paid official at a union's branch or regional office.
Trade union official apprenticeships - what it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- knowledge of human resources and employment law
- knowledge of English language
- analytical thinking skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- excellent verbal communication skills
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Trade union official apprenticeships - what you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
At a regional level you may:
- advise members and management on legal or health and safety issues
- study and interpret legal policy, agreements and procedures relating to work
- recruit, train and support local officials and shop stewards
- represent union members in negotiations or before industrial court and tribunal proceedings
- deal with local disputes and case work
- work as a learning representative
At the national head office you may: - develop national policy
- carry out research
- develop learning programmes for members
- work in media relations
- negotiate with employers organisations, political parties and government
- represent the union at conferences
Working environment
You could work in an office.
Career path and progression - Trade union official apprenticeships
With experience, you could become a regional secretary of your union or move into a post at national head office. You could also move into politics as a councillor or MP.