Each year 2000+ East Midlands members take part in some form of learning through UNISON
Below you will find details of UNISON’s Learning ‘offer’ which includes:
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Regional courses
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1000+ courses via The Staff Skills Academy
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Learning Grants
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Level 2 Distance Learning Courses
East Midlands Member Learning Programme June – December 2025
Each year UNISON East Midlands creates a free member-learning programme for members across the region. Our programme for the second half of 2025 is below. To view, click on the image below.
NOTE: places can fill quickly and are filled on a first come, first served basis – a waiting list (up to 10) operates where courses are oversubscribed
For a Word version without images please visit here.
Click here to apply for one of these courses
Dementia Awareness – 1 September
Excel Beginners – 2 & 3 September
Course full – Waiting list only
Assertiveness – 19 & 26 September
Excel Advanced – 29 & 30 September
Course full – Waiting list only
Neurodiversity Understood – 1 October
Course full – waiting list only
Loss & Bereavement by Suicide – 9 October
Deaf Awareness and Introduction to Sign Language – 9 October
Course Full – Waiting list only
Write Your Life Story – 15 & 22 October
Excel Improvers – 4 & 5 November
Pre-Retirement (Derby) – 7 November
The Power of Perception – 18 November
Makaton – 27 November (am)
Makaton – 27 November (pm)
Dyslexia – 1 December
Therapeutic Activities in Dementia – 5 December
Excel Beginners – 16 & 17 December
Courses run by UNISON National Office
UNISON’s learning team in our National Office run many more courses each year for members. These are all via Teams/Zoom and in a huge range of subjects.
To see what’s coming up click here
1000+ Free Online courses with The Skills Academy
Click here for more details
Free courses organised by Union Learning Reps (ULRs)
As well as courses organised by the Region, local branches are working together in their Counties to provide even more learning opportunities for members.
More courses are available in your county. For details of these courses for members in each county that have been organised by ULRs follow this link
FREE courses organised by ULRs
Level 2 Distance Learning Courses
We are working with Leicester College to promote their programme of distance learning courses. There are almost 30 courses in:
- Dementia Care
- Bullying in Children & Young People
- Team Leading
- Counselling Skills
Click here for details
Getting more involved with UNISON
Members are encouraged to find out more about becoming more active in UNISON. We offer training to help you feel confident to listen to and understand the concerns of members and represent them in the workplace if they need help.
Have a look at our course guide and Workplace Rep and Branch Officer training page. You may also want to drop into your Branch to speak to an elected officer. Or, you can email your details to us: MakeADifference@unison.co.uk
2024 member-learning survey

Our annual learning survey is now available. This was conducted as part of Learning at Work Week and seeks to identify what members want to learn, what is provided at work and how they value UNISON learning