Region: NI

The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation, INTO and the Ulster Teachers’ Union, UTU have been working together for a number of years on issues affecting teachers in Northern Ireland. The two local teacher unions established a Joint Board in 2009 to deepen the already close working relationship between the two organisations. The INTO/UTU Board now represents the majority of serving teachers in the nursery, primary and post-primary sectors across Northern Ireland.

Both unions currently deliver a high level of service to teachers at all stages of their profession, including student teachers, however by the two unions pooling resources and expertise:

Membership benefits will increase;

The local teachers’ voice in education policy making will be stronger;

There will be a strong teachers’ voice across all education sectors; and

INTO and UTU members, school reps and leaders will have the opportunity to attend joint training courses and conferences.

Over recent years the INTO have been building relationships and working closely with our colleagues in the Ulster Teachers’ Union together with the National Education Union and The Educational Institute of Scotland in GB. A partnership agreement was signed that will further strengthen links and cooperation between all four unions to the benefit of all our members.

What is a Career Learning Representative?

Career Learning Reps (CLRs) are union representatives trained to support learning at work and to work with course providers and employers for the benefit of all:

• CLRs can provide initial advice and guidance to individuals and signpost them to educational organisations for additional support;
• They work to identify learning and skills needs in the workplace;
• They provide learning advice and guidance on the latest training initiatives and programmes;
• They secure equal opportunities in learning and training;
• Career Learning Representatives have statutory rights to carry out their roles.

What does a Career Learning Representative do?

The following gives an idea of the range of activities a CLR might be involved in:

• Give information and advice about learning and training opportunities;
• Identify learning and training needs;
• Promote and arrange training;
• Supporting learners;
• Consult with the employer about learning and training;
• Work with providers.

Training for Career Learning Representatives

For members interested in this new role current training courses are available to view in the Trade Union Training section of our website.