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Training for union representatives and occupational safety representatives

Are you a union representative or occupational safety representative? Did you know that you have the right to be trained for the role?

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Orientation
Basic courses
Advanced courses
Refresher training

PAM trains union representatives and occupational safety representatives. Union representatives and occupational safety representatives are collectively referred to as staff representatives. Some of the training for staff representatives is covered by employer support, which means that the employer pays the salary for the duration of the training.

Trainings covered by employer support in 2023 (in Finnish, pdf)

From orientation to advanced courses

Participate in the orientation training first. You can then participate in training organised by PAM: the basic course, the advanced course and refresher training. Webinars allow you to develop your knowledge of current issues. You can also earn credits from certain courses.

Orientation for union representatives and occupational safety representatives

Have you been elected as the union representative or occupational safety representative at your workplace? Good luck with your new role and welcome to the orientation day or online orientation!

During the orientation for union representatives and occupational safety representatives, you will learn what your role as the staff representative means. We will learn about the role of a staff representative in the workplace, as well as PAM’s operations and membership.  During the orientation, we will go through the training opportunities for union representatives and occupational safety representatives. After the orientation, the participant will have a clearer picture of the tasks of a union representative or occupational safety representative.

Have you remembered to notify your election to PAM? If you were elected as a union representative notify us here. If you were elected as an occupational safety representative notify us here. You can then participate in the orientation training for staff representatives.

Register for the orientation day or online orientation

PAM’s regional offices arrange orientation training for new staff representatives. If you are unable to attend the orientation day in your region, you can do it online instead.  

Check the orientation days and register, or register for online orientation

Basic courses for union representatives and occupational safety representatives

In the basic courses for union representatives and in occupational safety and health, you will learn about the tasks, rights and responsibilities of a staff representative. You will also learn about the provisions of labour legislation or occupational health and safety legislation.

Please register for a course in your area or region in the first instance. Read the instructions for how to apply for the training and apply in the event calendar.

The basic course takes five days, and its scope is 2 ECTS.

Remember to participate in the orientation before the basic course.

The basic course for union representatives takes a closer look at the tasks, rights and responsibilities of a union representative. During the course, you will also learn about the key provisions of the Employment Contracts Act, the collective agreement in your sector and the Annual Holidays Act. You will also learn to describe what is meant by the order of negotiation. The course covers the basics of local agreement and the Co-operation Act, as well as the principles of dialogue. In addition, the course discusses interaction skills, and you will learn to identify which factors support wellbeing in a position of trust.

The basic course in occupational safety and health takes a closer look at the tasks, rights and responsibilities of an occupational safety representative. During the course, you will become familiar with the key provisions of occupational safety and health law, and the law on cooperation in occupational safety and health matters. You will also learn how to identify the most important hazards and stress factors in the workplace. During the course, you will become familiar with the cooperation between occupational health care and the workplace, as well as the tasks of statutory occupational health care. In addition, the course discusses interaction skills, and you will learn to identify which factors support wellbeing in your role as the occupational safety representative.

Separate basic courses are organised for supervisors’ staff representatives. Supervisors’ basic courses for union representatives and in occupational health and safety are organised once a year. If you are both a staff representative and a supervisor, you can apply for these courses.

Upcoming courses for staff representatives

Advanced courses for union representatives and occupational safety representatives

In the advanced course for union representatives and occupational safety representatives, you will deepen the skills acquired during the basic course. You can apply for the advanced course after you have worked for about a year in a position of trust.

The advanced course takes ten days, and its scope is 4 ECTS.

During the course, we will explore the different roles of union representatives in the work community and identify how people can develop their own skills in a position of trust. In the course, you will learn what it means to be laid off, and how an employment relationship can be terminated on grounds related to the worker’s person, as well as on production-specific and financial grounds. You will also learn the basics of business economics and the company’s key figures. During the course, you will learn how to identify the ways a union representative can have an influence. After completing the course, the student will be able to explain how to promote collaboration in the workplace. You will also learn to identify ways in which you can promote your own wellbeing.

During the course, you will learn how to recognise the different roles of the occupational safety representative in the work community and gain an understanding of the importance of cooperation in occupational safety and health matters. After the course, the participant will be able to describe the hazards and stress factors in the service sectors and explain how to address them. Students will also learn how to recognise inappropriate treatment in the workplace, and how to address it. The course discusses prohibited grounds for discrimination, and how occupational health and safety affects the company’s key figures. You will also learn how to identify ways in which you can promote your own wellbeing in your role as the occupational safety representative.

Upcoming courses for staff representatives

Refresher training for union representatives and occupational safety representatives

Refresher training courses for union representatives and occupational safety representatives will deepen and update your skills. Check out general and sectoral training courses!

Diverse skills are required in positions of trust. PAM organises refresher training courses including the following:

  • Basic course in labour law (upcoming in 2024)
  • Refresher course in labour law (in Finnish, September 2023)
  • Paikallinen sopiminen (in Finnish, upcoming in 2024)
  • Neuvottelutaito (in Finnish, upcoming in 2024)
  • Yritystalous – yrityksen tunnusluvut tutuiksi (in Finnish, upcoming in 2024) 
  • Osaava ja sovitteleva luottamushenkilö (in Finnish, upcoming in 2024)
  • Työelämän mielenterveystaidot (in Finnish, upcoming in 2024)
  • Työsuojelulainsäädäntö (in Finnish, upcoming in 2024)
  • Sector-specific refresher courses (in Finnish)

Frequently asked questions

Read more about participating in the trainings here

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