EC Meeting Papers July 2018

Trade Union Staff Apprenticeship Trailblazer Group. Notes of the meeting 25 th June 2015.

Present: Doug Nicholls GFTU, Carl Parker GMB, Paul De Felice Ruskin College, Sarah Jayne McConnell TSSA, Mathew Pointon TUC, Peter McColin NAS UWT, David Hodd POA, Deborah Lawson VOICE, Barbara Kielim Unite, Martin Roberts Prospect/BECTU, Yvonne Pattison NAPO.

Apologies: Nautilus International, Community, Bakers Food and Allied Workers’ Union.

Paperwork for the meeting: Calling Notice, Notes on Institute for Apprenticeship processes – P Skitt. Notes on distinct roles and suggestion on job roles – C Kirkham GMB. Previously circulated: National Occupational Standards, Core Trade Union Role, March 2012, Background to Apprenticeships – P De Felice, Apprenticeship Levy and Trade Unions, Paul Di Felice (produced for the July GFTU Seminar). The background to the formation of this group was given and the previous exploratory meetings. Apprenticeships could not be created without the formation of a trailblazer group comprising of 10 employers. Currently 12 unions as employers had indicated a willingness to be part of this group and create the apprenticeships. It had been agreed that the GFTU at this stage would chair the group and that Ruskin College, which had already been ear marked for funding for the development of apprenticeships would be the main academic partner. Paul Skitt of Ruskin would advise the group on processes of apprenticeship formation with the Institute for Apprenticeships and Paul Di Felice would attend trailblazer group meetings. 1 Background

The extensive advice and guidance on the institute for apprenticeships website had been considered.

2

Trailblazer Group.

Unions and employers forming the Trailblazer group are: GFTU, Ruskin, Unite, GMB, VOICE, NAS/UWT, Nautilus International, Community,PCS, BFAWU, Prospect/BECTU, NAPO, POA, TSSA. The group welcomes additional union members and can be expanded at any point. Carl would contact a couple of unions directly. Action Carl.

3

Job Roles

There was extensive discussion about the most relevant apprenticeships to create. There was agreement that there should be three main roles:

1

Union Administrative/support worker.

2

Trade Union Official/Officer

3

Senior Trade Union Official/Officer.

It was recognised that there was a unique combination of knowledge of legislation and organising required in an official’s role.

4

Academic Levels

There was extensive discussion about the potential academic level of these apprenticeships and it was recognised that these were high level functions and that the precise levels would emerge during the creation of the profile and standards.