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Trade union official
Trade union officer
Trade union officials represent, train and advise union members, carry out research and develop policy.
Average salary (a year)
£30000
Starter
£66000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
35.0 to 37.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings
attending events or appointments
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You can get into this job through:a university course; an apprenticeship; working towards this role; applying directly; training with a professional body
University
You may be able to join a national head office as a research officer straight from university, if you've got a degree or postgraduate qualification.
You could study most degree subjects for this role, with common ones including
social science, politics, economics, law
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do a Trade Union Official Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.
This usually takes around a year and a half to complete.
Entry requirements
Most people following this route have:
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
  • experience in related work
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Work
You could start as a trade union representative in the workplace, or a union administrator or organiser in a local union office. This would help you to get experience and understanding of how a union works.
Volunteering
There's a lot of competition for full-time jobs, so relevant paid or voluntary experience could give you a head start when you apply for work.
Relevant experience might include
advice work, student or local politics, mediation and negotiation jobs, campaigning
Direct Application
You may be able to apply directly if you've got a background in adult education or training and development.
It can also help if you have experience in the voluntary or public sector, or experience of tackling issues around equal opportunities, economics, or health and safety.
For many jobs at national head office level, you'll normally be qualified and experienced in a specialist area like
employment or general law, economics, trade union legislation or organisation, media, research, education and training
Other Routes
You could do work-based training courses through Unionlearn or the General Federation of Trade Unions. Training like this could be useful when you apply to become a full-time paid official at a union branch or regional office.
More Information
Career Tips
You can see an official list of trade unions on GOV.UK.
Further Information
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
    Knowledge of human resources and employment law
    Knowledge of english language
    Analytical thinking skills
    The ability to use your initiative
    To be thorough and pay attention to detail
    Excellent verbal communication skills
    Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
    The ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
Digital Skills Level
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
Day to day tasks
As a regional trade union official you may
advise members and management on legal or health and safety issues, study and interpret legal policy, agreements and procedures relating to work, recruit, train and support local officials and shop stewards, represent union members in negotiations or before industrial court and tribunal proceedings, deal with local disputes and case work, work as a learning representative
At the national head office you may
develop national policy, carry out research, develop learning programmes for members, work in media relations, negotiate with employers' organisations, political parties and government, represent the union at conferences
Working environment
You could work in an office.
Career Path & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
With experience, you could become a regional secretary of your union or work at its national head office. You could also move into politics as a councillor or MP.
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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