Unison Education and Training

Introduction

As a means of assisting members back into learning or to help them take up some personal or professional development training the committee has decided to introduce a scheme to contribute towards the cost of a course that you may wish to undertake.

This is a new initiative and we have allocated substantial funding for this year. The scheme is open to both active and retired members and we hope you will make full use of this additional Branch benefit.

Should you need any further advice on education or training issues then please contact the Branch Education Officer, Fiona Bond, Alcuin C Block, Health Sciences, email fb510

Phil Foster

co-Chair

The Rules of the Branch Education Funding Scheme

Eligibility

Applicants should have been a member of Unison for a minimum of three clear calendar months and will need to remain a member until their course has been completed.

 All types of courses will be considered but they must be consistent with the ethical and social standards of UNISON to qualify for a contribution

The Branch contribution is towards the cost of the course fee only.

The contribution will be calculated after the deduction of any other grants that members are in receipt of. No other expenses e.g travel, materials, books are eligible for a contribution from the Branch.

The maximum amount of funding per member, per course will be 25% of the cost up to a limit of £100.This does not mean we will automatically pay the full £100 in any one application and these figures may be varied, at the Executive Committee’s discretion, should the number of applications so warrant.

The Eligibility Committee will consist of the Branch Education Officer and a minimum of two other members drawn from the Branch Executive Committee. Their decision will be final.

Applications

 The application year will run from 1 st August to 31 st July. Members may apply for up to three courses taking place during that period

The list for applications for contributions will be open from 01 August each year and will close upon the exhaustion of allocated funds or earlier at the Branch Executive Committee’s discretion.

Applications for a UNISON contribution should be submitted to the Branch Education Officer, and include course details, a copy of the course registration form and evidence of payment of the full course fee receipted by the provider.

If your participation on the training course is dependent on the financial contribution from UNISON then you should make a prior enquiry to the Branch Education Officer to ascertain the eligibility and level of contribution towards the course. Please allow a minimum of 14 days for a response.

All applications will be treated in strictest confidence

Other

If you are having difficulties or think you may be unable to complete the course for any reason, please contact the Branch as early as you can. We may be able to offer support.

If you withdraw or fail to complete the course you may be required to return any Branch contribution.

On completion of the course members should return written confirmation e.g., copy of a certificate) from the course provider, together with a completed Branch feedback form, to the Branch Education Officer.

To download and print a copy of the application form, click here.