Trade Union Studies

The TUC Employment Law Certificate (Union Reps stage 2)

Level 2 - Certificate

What is Level 2?

This is the equivalent to GCSE grades 9-4 / A*-C, O Level grades A- C or an Intermediate Apprenticeship.

Who is this course for?

The Employment Law Certificate is designed for union representatives who have already completed the TUC Stage 1 Union Representatives Course or its union equivalent.

Level 2

This is the equivalent to GCSE grades 9-4 / A*-C, O Level grades A- C or an Intermediate Apprenticeship.

Find out about progression

Course description

In recent years there have been significant changes to employment law in the UK. The TUC Employment Law Certificate is a practical training course, designed for trade union workplace reps. It approaches the law from this perspective and its principal concern is how knowledge of and confidence in using employment law can improve workplace bargaining, terms and conditions. It is not aimed at legal professionals or the finer points of technical interpretation of the law.

Course content

This course will be delivered over 10 weeks in a classroom every week.

The Key elements of the course are:

Employment rights at work
Sources for researching employment rights
Contracts of employment
Dismissal protection
Keeping, enforcing and improving rights at work
Using employment law at work – a trade union approach
The Employment Tribunal and the role of ACAS
Employment law research project

Due to popular demand the Wednesday sessions dates are now fully booked. However, there are limited places left on the Tuesday, should you be interested in applying please contact Paul Gibson on pgibson@northern.ac.uk. These sessions will run from Tuesday 29th April through to 8th July (no session on 27th May)

Course session dates

Tailored Learning Objective

Preparation for further learning

Useful information

This course will be delivered at Northern College

When does this start and end?

30 April 2025 - 9 July 2025

Trade Union Education at Northern College is meaningful, purposeful, accessible and rewarding. There are no exams, or long lectures, the education programme involves practical activities where you will work with your peers. This is an opportunity to step back from your job and your activist work to think and learn. Skills development and confidence building are essential elements of all Trade Union courses.

“Northern College changed my life. A year into studying here I got a job and then became a supervisor.” - Michelle
Learn more about Michelle's story

Most jobs require you to have Level 2 in English and Maths. These qualifications are important in jobs that are most employable in the South and West Yorkshire Regions such as Education and Health and Social Care sector.

Was an amazing experience. The staff were all friendly and approachable. Thank you Northern College for making me feel welcome.

This college has helped me so much and given me so much confidence in my courses and in myself. Beautiful place to learn, make good friends. They are like a family and all help each other.