Trade union official
Try to get employers to improve pay and working conditions for members of your union.
About the job
Salary
Source: National Careers Service
Weekly
£577
Entry level
£1,269
Experienced
Monthly
£2,500
Entry level
£5,500
Experienced
Yearly
£30,000
Entry level
£66,000
Experienced
5,000
people are currently employed
Low growth
200 fewer jobs in 5 years
These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics
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
Environment
Travel
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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.
Here are some of the 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 the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.
You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website.
Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.
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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