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The information below outlines the roles of the adviser and the new statutory rights to time-off for training and duties for UNISON Lifelong Learning Advisers and Union Learning Reps.

| Lifelong Learning Adviser  |  Union Learning Reps  |  Rights for Time-off |

The role of a UNISON Lifelong Learning Adviser is to:

• empower the individual to access further training options
• help identify funding for the individual e.g. Individual Learning Account

• promote the lifelong learning agenda in particular Return to Learn

• communicate with other agencies and Trade Unions

• allow the individual the opportunity to develop personal & professional skills

• develop links with other Lifelong Learning Advisers and North East Partnership

• promote the training of staff within their own employer

• ensure confidentiality of clients

• maintain accurate records

• complete a first contact sheet

• evaluate and monitor training undertaken and identify better working practices

• support clients

• attend quarterly lifelong learning meetings

• undertake training in the role of an adviser

• assist management in the recognition of the importance of lifelong learning

To become a Lifelong Learning Adviser, members must complete the Adviser's training course.   Click here for further details or contact Dougie McPhee, Education Branch Officer for further information.

In the latest Employment Act the Government has given UNISON Lifelong Learning Advisers and Union Learning Reps a number of statutory rights to time-off for training and duties.  The Employment Act amends the 
1992 Trades Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation). [click here to access the Act] Act to include Lifelong Learning Advisers and Union Learning Reps as Union representatives for whom statutory given.  

These rights came into force in 2003 and include:

• The right to be recognised as a union representative in the same way 
  that Health and Safety Reps and Shop Stewards currently are in workplaces where UNISON is a recognised union.
• The right to reasonable time off with pay to train as an LLA/ULR.
• The right to reasonable time off to perform LLA/ULR duties in the workplace.
• The right to protection against unfair dismissal on grounds of their LLA/ULR activity.
• The right to go to tribunal if the employer unreasonably denies access to time off to perform their duties or time off for training.