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We Are Union VTHC
Training

The Victorian Labour College at Victorian Trades Hall Council offers a variety of training across Victoria to equip workers with the skills, knowledge and confidence to lead, speak out, and build fairer, safer workplaces.

VTHC is a WorkSafe approved training provider delivering Occupational Health and Safety courses. We are one of the most experienced training providers in Victoria having delivered OHS training to tens of thousands of Health & Safety Reps across Victoria since 1983.

Other training includes training to eradicate gendered violence in the workplace and training in media and advocacy.

Find out more about our various courses and check out upcoming dates below.

The Victorian Labor College was established in July 1917, to provide education to working class people so that workers could become intellectually free of established ideas and beliefs.

In 1917 L.F. Wilson and B. Davies, the inaugural President and Secretary of the Victorian Labour College, said, "A Labour College must aim at strengthening the workers in asserting the rights and ideals of their class.” 

In the early 20th Century the Trades Hall and Literary Institute was largely concerned with providing workers with access to the arts, musical soires, public lectures and literature. At 8pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings there were classes in Literature, Industrial History and Economics. Importantly, classes were open to both men and women.

Today, VTHC is a WorkSafe approved training provider delivering Occupational Health and Safety courses. We are one of the most experienced training providers in Victoria having delivered OHS training to tens of thousands of Health & Safety Reps across Victoria since 1983.

Other training includes training to eradicate gendered violence in the workplace, delegate rights training and training in media and advocacy.

Once again, VTHC is proudly using the Victorian Labour College banner.

In-person training gives you the information, tools, and confidence to make change in your workplace.

Workers, workplace delegates, Health and Safety Representatives, union members and women's advocates have workplace rights to access training.

Are you a:

1.    Workplace Delegate?

Workplace Delegates are entitled to reasonable access to paid time for training related to your role as a delegate. Your employer needs to confirm whether your leave request is approved no later than 2 weeks before training.  

See this Equality at Work factsheet, section 350C(3)(b)(iii) of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) and your relevant Award.   

2.    Health and Safety Representative?

Under Section 67 of the OHS Act 2004 all elected HSRs and DHSRs are entitled to:

  • Attend a 5-day WorkSafe-approved Initial OHS Training Course
  • Attend a 1-day WorkSafe-approved Refresher OHS Training Course every year after completing the initial course
  • Choose the course provider
  • Attend during paid time
  • Have your employer pay the course and associated costs

You must notify your employer at least 14 days before the commencement of the HSR course.

3.    Union member?

All union members are encouraged to join us for training at the Victorian Labour College.

 If you are employed under an enterprise agreement, check if you are entitled to paid:

  • Union training leave
  • Professional development, conference or seminar leave
  • Other training leave

Alternatively, consider applying for annual leave (which cannot be unreasonably refused), ADO, purchased leave or leave without pay as a last resort.

If you have problems accessing leave, please let us and your union know.

4.    Women’s Advocate?

Unions have negotiated Women’s Advocate positions in enterprise agreements. If you are a Women’s Advocate, you likely have access to paid time for training related to your role, the same as a Workplace Delegate.

Check your enterprise agreement for specific details and contact your union for support accessing paid time for training.

5.    Worker?

All workers are invited and encouraged to join us for training at the Victorian Labour College.

If you are employed under an enterprise agreement, check if you are entitled to paid:

  • Union training leave
  • Professional development, conference or seminar leave
  • Other training leave

Alternatively, consider applying for annual leave (which cannot be unreasonably refused), ADO, purchased leave or leave without pay as a last resort.

Do you need help? 

Don’t go it alone!

If you are having trouble accessing leave to attend training, get in touch with us and your union. We’re here to help.

If required, we are able to provide a letter confirming your course registration which you can provide to your employer to support your request for training.

 

To find out how to get to Victorian Trades Hall, what to bring and what to expect at your training course please view our Accessibility Key here.

If you have any other accessibility needs or questions, please contact [email protected]

You may be able to reschedule your training depending on availability.

Cancellation between 14 – 7 days of the course = 50% refund  

Cancellation less than 7 days = no refund 

Please email [email protected] to discuss.

HSR, OHS and ARREO Training. ie. Health and Safety Reps, Occupational Health and Safety, and Authorised Representative of a Registered Employee Organisation (ARREO)
This 2-hour course is designed to give union members the skills and confidence to safely and effectively stand together against unsafe behaviours in the workplace. While the course targets gendered violence, including sexual harassment, it can be used in other situations, such as bullying, too.
We provide training that focuses on eradicating gendered violence from the workplace.
This training aims to educate participants around the requirements to proactively protect against certain behaviours in the workplace.
1-day training course on entitlements, protections, and options for legislative action to assist women workers.
A session on new Family and Domestic Violence Leave provisions of the Fair Work Act and the societal context in which this legislation has been produced.
You might not know what a union is, but you're about to. This two week paid internship is an introduction to the union movement for young people who want to make a difference in the world.
The Anna Stewart Memorial Project supports women activists to develop the skills and confidence to take on leadership roles within their unions and their communities!
Candidate School is a program to encourage working people to nominate for public office. By increasing the participation of the working class in politics, we'll strengthen our democracy and achieve better policies for working people.
Learn the skills to un-f#*! the world At Victorian Trades Hall Council we've been fighting injustice since 1856. Our mighty movement has won some big campaigns with people power, from the 8 hour day to marriage equality! Learn tips to organise your community and become the activist you were born to be.
Register for training here