Trade union official
Try to get employers to improve pay and working conditions for members of your union.
About the job
What it's like
You would try to get employers to improve pay and working conditions for members of your union. Your work would be very important in ensuring that staff at all levels are treated fairly.
As a full-time trade union representative working at regional level, you would:
Advise on legal or health and safety issues
Hire and train local officials
Deal with local disputes and case work
Promote learning and education programmes to members
At national level, you would:
Work on policies
Do research
Set up learning and education programmes
Deal with the media
Negotiate with employers’ organisations, political parties and government
You might be a part-time union official, known as a shop steward or representative. You would be elected by trade union members in your company to pass on their views to managers. You would then spend some of your work time dealing with trade union business.
Hours
In a full-time job you would work between 35 and 40 hours a week, which could include early starts, evenings and weekends.
Environment
You would be mainly office-based.
Travel
You would spend some of your time attending meetings and visiting members and union representatives.
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- recalling
- negotiating
- motivating others
- ethical
- self esteem
- social conscience
- empathising
- problem solving
- written communication
- verbal communication
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Economics
English
Modern Studies
Sociology
There are no formal entry requirements for this role but many entrants have a degree (SCQF level 9/10) or a professional qualification.
Any degree subject or professional qualification would be acceptable, but subjects such as:
Accountancy
Business studies
Economics
Industrial relations
Journalism
Law
Politics
Sociology
may be particularly useful.
You will require relevant experience with trade unions, perhaps as a shop steward.
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