Trade union awareness training

Build confidence, strengthen relationships, and lead with clarity on trade union relations

This practical training gives school and trust leaders the skills needed to manage union interactions professionally and positively.

Navigating trade union relationships in education can feel complex - especially when workload conversations, performance concerns, or industrial action arise. Whether you're new to leadership or looking to strengthen existing skills, this session gives you the guidance to deal with real scenarios in your education setting. With our support you'll learn how to overcome misunderstandings or strained relationships with trade unions (understanding 'interest vs position'), confusion about legal requirements and meeting rights (including paid vs unpaid time, and JCC/JNCC settings), challenges during industrial action periods, and a lack of confidence in difficult staff conversations.

Course highlights

After joining our senior HR leaders, Alex (Director of HR Services) and Georgie (Head of People Services Operations), you'll leave with a clear understanding of how trade unions work, how to communicate effectively with representatives, and how to lead conversations - even when they're challenging:

• understanding of trade union roles and processes, including how to work with them day to day - from history, collective bargaining, and recognition to ballots, industrial action, and statutory rights
• confidence in meetings and consultations - including preparation, agenda setting, tone, questioning, and emotional management
• ability to strengthen and manage working relationships with union representatives
• practical communication strategies to support difficult conversations - active listening, non-verbal communication, and delivering messages with confidence
• knowledge of statutory rights for representatives - know what counts as duties vs activities for paid purposes, and your legal responsibilities as a leader.

This training gives education leaders the practical tools they need to communicate effectively, avoid disputes, and build professional, productive union relationships. 

Reduced rates are available to EPM customers.

Payment Terms

Please ensure payment is made at least 48 hours before you are due to attend the training.

If you require a purchase order number on your invoice, please send this to finance@epm.co.uk following receipt of this email. This needs to include the attendee's name and training date.

Contact matthew.watson@epm.co.uk for more information.

Cancellation Terms

• If training is cancelled or rescheduled more than 7 days before you are due to attend the training, you will receive no charge.
• If training is cancelled or rescheduled less than 7 days before you are due to attend the training, you will be liable for 100% of the charge.
• If you book training less than 7 days before the training date, you have 24 hours following your time of booking to cancel or reschedule without a charge.
• Any time after that will be 100% chargeable.

(If you need to cancel or reschedule training you are due to attend, please email finance@epm.co.uk)