Core / Online Education & Training Programme 2026
The purpose of this LTB is to advise Branches that the NEC has endorsed a programme of courses for 2026.
Core Residential Programme
Arrangements have been made for our residential training programme to be delivered at GFTU, Quorn Grange Hotel, 88 Wood Lane, Quorn, LE12 8DB.
Representative’s accommodation costs on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis will be met centrally.
Branches are responsible for student travel and any other appropriate expenses.
Scheduled Programme 2026
The programme cuts across all the specialisms that our representatives perform incorporating both accredited and unaccredited courses:
Skills courses all include elements of industrial / employment relations, negotiating and organising
Health & Safety courses lead representatives through theory and practice of legislation and organising around Health and Safety
Equal Rights deal with equality and diversity in the workplace and wider society. Please note, to increase student opportunities the Women representatives in the CWU, LGBT+ in the CWU and BAME representatives in the CWU courses will be delivered online for 2026
Residential Programme 2026FromToCourseCut-off date12/01/202616/01/2026Essential Skills part 101/12/202519/01/202621/01/2026Branch Secretary’s part 108/12/202526/01/202630/01/2026Essential Skills part 115/12/202502/02/202606/02/2026Postal Agreements22/12/202509/02/202613/02/2026Essential Skills part 129/12/202523/02/202627/02/2026Introduction to Health & Safety part 112/01/202627/04/202601/05/2026Essential Skills part 216/03/202627/04/202601/05/2026Union Learning Reps 116/03/202608/06/202612/06/2026Introduction to Health & Safety part 127/04/202615/06/202619/06/2026TBC04/05/202622/06/202626/06/2026Essential Skills part 211/05/202629/06/202603/07/2026Introduction to Health & Safety part 118/05/202629/06/202603/07/2026Advanced Skills part 118/05/202606/07/202610/07/2026Essential Skills part 225/05/202620/07/202624/07/2026Essential Skills part 108/06/202627/07/202631/07/2026Introduction to Health & Safety part 215/06/202617/08/202619/08/2026Mental Health Awareness06/07/202607/09/202611/09/2026Postal Agreements27/07/202614/09/202618/09/2026Introduction to Health & Safety part 103/08/202628/09/202602/10/2026Introduction to Health & Safety part 217/08/202605/10/202607/10/2026TBC24/08/202626/10/202630/10/2026Advanced Skills part 214/09/202609/11/202613/11/2026Essential Skills part 128/09/2026
Online Programme 2026FromToCourseCut-off date16/02/202620/02/2026Introduction to Health & Safety part 105/01/202602/03/202606/03/2026Intermediate Health & Safety part 119/01/202609/03/202610/03/2026Discipline & Grievance (UTAW)26/01/202630/03/202631/03/2026Mental Health Awareness16/02/202620/04/202624/04/2026Essential Skills part 109/03/202605/05/202606/05/2026Mental Health Awareness24/03/202618/05/202622/05/2026Introduction to Health & Safety part 206/04/202601/06/202605/06/2026Introduction to Health & Safety part 120/04/202615/06/202616/06/2026Women in the CWU04/05/202618/06/202619/06/2026BAME Representatives in the CWU07/05/202622/06/202626/06/2026Postal Agreements11/05/202613/07/202614/07/2026Discipline & Grievance (UTAW)01/06/202613/07/202617/07/2026Essential Skills part 101/06/202603/08/202604/08/2026Mental Health Awareness22/06/202603/08/202607/08/2026Intermediate Health & Safety part 222/06/202610/08/202614/08/2026Equal Rights part 129/06/202607/09/202611/09/2026Essential Skills part 227/07/202621/09/202625/09/2026Introduction to Health & Safety part 210/08/202605/10/202606/10/2026LGBT+ in the CWU24/08/202612/10/202616/10/2026Postal Agreements31/08/202619/10/202623/10/2026Equal Rights part 207/09/202602/11/202606/11/2026Essential Skills part 121/09/202616/11/202617/11/2026Mental Health Awareness05/10/2026
All of the above is subject to the necessary funding being available.
Full details of each course can be found on our website here https://education.cwu.org/education/rep-courses
Application Process
Branch Secretary’s and Branch Admins should continue to use the CWU Portal, please make sure applicants emails are up to date.
Release & Notice
Paid release should normally apply where the union is recognised and/or in line with any existing agreements.
Online courses
Online learners must preferably have access to a good PC or laptop. Tablets can be used but have some limitation in our experience. Attending training courses using a mobile phone is not possible.
There must be a stable internet connection from where the learning is taking place.
Colleges will also be in contact before the course to advise of any additional requirements.
We would appreciate Branches / ULRs assistance in ensuring any applicants are prepared in line with the above points. If any representative encounters difficulties getting set up with IT equipment in preparation for course attendance, please advise their Branch Secretary, Union Learning Rep or the Equality, Education & Development department as soon as possible.
Any queries relating to this LTB should be directed to courseadmin@cwu.org
Yours sincerely,
Kate Hudson
Head of Equality, Education & Development
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 
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