Unite Gibraltar Education Courses

Workplace Reps Stage 1- 

These courses form the essential foundation for newly appointed Unite workplace representatives. They are designed to equip reps with the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills needed to effectively support members and organise within their workplace.

Throughout the programme, participants will develop a broad range of competencies, including:

• Workplace organising skills – building strong, active union presence
• Handling disciplinary and grievance cases – representing members effectively and confidently
  Communication skills – engaging, influencing, and supporting colleagues
• Introduction to Employment Law and Equality at Work – understanding key legal rights and protections
• The concept of ‘good work’ – promoting fair, safe, and fulfilling workplaces
• Dignity and respect at work – addressing bullying, harassment, and discrimination
• Problem-solving skills – identifying and resolving workplace issues
• Bargaining and negotiation skills – achieving fair outcomes for members
• Work-life balance – supporting healthier working practices
• Building a strong workplace union – growing membership and collective strength

This programme ensures that new representatives are fully prepared to take on their role and make a meaningful impact in their workplace.

Workplace Reps Stage 2- 

Build on your Stage 1 learning with essential skills and knowledge.

You’ll learn how to:

• Evaluate and reflect on your experience since Stage 1
• Understand the concept of ‘good work’
• Apply equality law and handle workplace issues
• Strengthen your problem-solving skills
• Negotiate and bargain confidently
• Support work–life balance
• Build a strong workplace union

Workplace Reps Stage 3- 

Build on your Stage 1 & 2 learning with essential skills and knowledge.

You’ll learn how to:

• Use a trade union approach to workplace issues
• Find and apply key sources of information
• Understand collective bargaining in today’s economy
• Apply Unite’s organising and bargaining strategies
• Lead within the union’s collective agenda
• Strengthen your skills for today’s workplace challenges
• Work as a team to develop collective action

Workplace Reps Stage 4- 

Build on your previous learning with essential skills and knowledge.

You’ll learn how to:

• Plan, organise and campaign effectively as a rep
• Understand developments in employment
• Identify, negotiate and evaluate workplace issues
• Apply key union principles, structures and resources
• Understand Unite’s role in internationalism

Health & Safety Reps Stage 1 - 

Start strong in your role with essential skills, knowledge, and confidence.

This course is designed for new Unite Health & Safety Representatives, helping you organise effectively and understand the key issues that impact workers’ health, safety, and welfare.

You’ll learn how to:

• Understand the role and responsibilities of a Unite Safety Rep
• Organise around health and safety in your workplace
• Apply the legal framework that underpins workplace safety
• Use your rights as a Safety Rep to support members
• Involve members in improving safety and working conditions

Health & Safety Reps Stage 2 - 

Build on your knowledge with essential skills, insight, and confidence.

This course supports Health & Safety Representatives to deepen their understanding of workplace risks, legal responsibilities, and how to organise effectively to improve safety and welfare.

You’ll learn how to:

• Examine and evaluate workplace risk assessments
• Understand health & safety audits and accident statistics
• Apply health & safety legislation, including criminal and civil law
• Map your workplace to identify risks and priorities
• Use reporting systems for injuries, diseases, and dangerous occurrences

Health & Safety Reps Stage 3 - 

Build on your previous learning with essential skills and knowledge.

You’ll learn how to:

• Assess and develop your workplace action plan
• Understand COSHH and related hazards
• Carry out effective workplace audits
• Identify manual handling and ergonomic risks
• Understand Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) systems
• Apply fire safety regulations in the workplace
• Promote a healthier working environment

Health & Safety Reps Stage 4 - 

Build on your previous learning with essential skills and knowledge.

You’ll learn how to:

• Assess and develop your workplace action plan
• Understand accidents and identify root causes
• Apply effective investigation techniques
• Manage workplace risks and incidents confidently

Equality & Diversity- 

Build the confidence and knowledge to address equality in the workplace.

You’ll learn how to:

• Recognise equality issues in your workplace
• Identify discrimination, harassment, and bullying
• Challenge perceptions of equality and diversity
• Understand key equality legislation and legal developments
• Support members facing equality issues
• Use effective interviewing techniques
• Develop workplace equality policies and practices

Stress Management- 

Build the confidence and knowledge to tackle workplace stress effectively.

You’ll learn how to:

• Identify key triggers and causes of workplace stress
• Understand how stress impacts individuals and organisations
• Recognise different types of stress and their effects
• Relate stress to real workplace experiences
• Resolve stress-related issues at work
• Spot gaps in workplace stress policies and procedures
• Avoid conflict and legal risks linked to stress
• Understand equality law and stress-related risks
• Recognise how different groups may be affected

Effective Communications- 

Build the confidence to communicate clearly and effectively in your role.

You’ll learn how to:

• Recognise and overcome barriers to communication
• Use body language to strengthen your message
• Understand the importance of effective communication
• Use new media and podcasts to engage members
• Analyse how communication is used to influence
• Create clear and compelling newsletters

Mental Health & Stress Awareness- 

Build the confidence and knowledge to support members facing workplace mental health issues.

You’ll learn how to:

• Understand how mental health issues affect members at work
• Recognise bullying, harassment, and intimidating behaviour
• Identify stress-related impacts on individuals
• Understand employers’ responsibilities for a safe workplace
• Challenge discrimination linked to mental health
• Develop strategies to address workplace mental health issues
• Tackle bullying from both equality and health & safety perspectives

Neurodiversity Course- 

Build the knowledge and confidence to support neurodiverse members in the workplace.

You’ll learn how to:

• Understand what neurodiversity means in practice
• Recognise barriers faced in society and the workplace
• Identify how communication, social interaction, and sensory differences impact work
• Understand existing workplace support and where gaps remain
• Recognise how neurodivergent workers may be more vulnerable to disciplinary action
• Apply learning through real-life case studies
• Promote awareness of stress and mental ill-health
• Support improvements in workplace policies and practices
• Build effective, organised workplace union teams