Prospect's education programme

Prospect runs more than 80 courses and seminars a year, attracting around 1,000 participants.Our education programme is designed to give our reps the skills they need to be effective - from getting started as a new rep to handling personal cases or carrying out health and safety inspections - and to keep those skills up to date.

Prospect's training and education programme for reps is based around the development of 5 key skills:

• recruitment
• organisation
• advocacy (representing individuals)
• negotiation/bargaining (representing groups)
• communication

Bargaining skills

Stage 1 - Key skills
Stage 2 - Building effective partnerships and resolving workplace conflict
Stage 3 - Bargaining for equality
Stage 4 - Managing change/leadership

Handling personal cases

Stage 1 - Key skills
Stage 2 - Dealing with bullying and harassment
Stage 3 - Advanced personal case work

Presentation skills

Stage 1 - Discussion leading/running effective meetings
Stage 2 - Speaking at meetings and conferences
Stage 3 - Bulletin editors/website design
Stage 4 - Campaigning and media skills

It will be a prerequisite to attend the different stages consecutively. Our long-term aim is that each branch should have a group of reps trained in all these key areas.

Recruitment and organisation

Revised course for 2006. To survive and prosper Prospect needs to recruit more members. We have organised 5 recruitment and organisation seminars around the country, each running for 2 days (1 night) to address key questions for the future of Prospect.

Full details of all our courses are set out on our main education page. You can check course availability and venue information, and apply online or download a PDF version of our application form. All applications, including those from members with disabilities, are welcome.

We also provide education on the many themes of modern employment relations eg building partnerships, resolving conflict, managing change and leadership skills. All of our courses are a mix of the practical and the theoretical. What are the skills you need to be a good representative? We show you them and give you the chance to practise in a friendly environment. We aim for our programme to be an enjoyable as well as learning experience.

We are keen to encourage as many applications as possible, so if you see something of interest but it is difficult for you to attend residential events, please get in touch with us. In 2005 we ran over 50 courses in members' own workplaces to minimise travelling and avoid the need for overnight stays. We can adapt most of our programme so it can be delivered in the workplace in shorter half-day or full day sessions.

If you have any queries please contact learning.services@prospect.org.uk.