Training for staff representatives

Right to training and support from employers 
Orientaton for staff representatives
Basic courses
Advanced courses for shop stewards and advanced courses in occupational safety and health
Sectoral refresher training
Refresher training
Online training

Right to training and support from employers 

The right of staff representatives to receive training is agreed in collective agreements. Check what the training agreement in the collective agreement for your sector says on training and apply for PAM’s training courses. Staff representative is a term that covers shop stewards and occupational safety representatives. 

Some training courses for staff representatives qualify for support from employers, meaning that your employer compensates you for your loss of earnings. You can find employer support for training for staff representatives in 2022 (in Finnish) here. If your employer does not pay compensation (wages) for loss of earnings for the course you want to go on, PAM supports you to go on the course. Training support depends on the course and your staff representative role.
 

Orientation for staff representatives
 

Have you just been appointed the shop steward or occupational safety representative at your workplace?

Congratulations on your new role! Have you remembered to notify your appointment to PAM? If you haven’t, you can do it here (in Finnish). After this you can go for orientation training for staff representatives. 

During the orientation day you get an idea of what your role as a staff representative means. You get a clearer picture of your role when you know what your duties, rights and responsibilities are as the shop steward or occupational safety representative at your workplace. The orientation increases your self-confidence and gives you the keys to your new role. We also tell you how PAM supports staff representatives in their role.

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.

You can register for online orientation at any time. For your studies you need a smartphone, internet connection and headphones. To get the most out of the training, find a quiet spot and some time. N.B. enter your membership number in the space at the end of the orientation. Also complete the course feedback so we know you have completed the course. Your course completion is registered within a couple of weeks.

Register for orientation training in the event calendar. You can find online orientation in the event calendar under Luottamusmiesten ja työsuojeluvaltuutettujen verkkoperehdytys (Online orientation for shop stewards and occupational safety representatives).
 

Basic courses

Before taking basic courses, remember to complete orientation training for staff representatives.

The basic course gives you a good grounding in your staff representative role. You get information on the rights and responsibilities of staff representatives and you learn about key concepts in labour legislation, equal opportunities and equality issues and negotiating skills. Apply for a basic course in your region if possible. Courses are usually organised in two parts (3 days + 2 days) with a task component between classroom sessions. Come and network with other staff representatives!

Apply for a basic course in your region, if possible, in the event calendar. Participation requires approval by your manager. Make sure that your manager’s name and e-mail are correct in your application. Your manager is e-mailed a link to approve your study leave and for your wage payment details. Course participants are selected at the end of the application period. Read more about applying for training here. Basic courses are covered by employer support and wages are usually paid for attendance. However, you can check the rules on this for your sector here.
 

Basic course for shop stewards

The basic course takes a closer look at the work of a shop steward. You also learn about the basics of working life matters, employment legislation and collective agreements. The course develops collaboration and negotiating skills and includes tasks before and during the course. The course lasts 3 days + 2 days. The basic course for shop stewards is usually held locally and is covered by employer support. However, you can check the rules on this for your sector here.

Basic course for shop stewards in 2023

Basic course in occupational safety and health

The basic course in occupational safety and health gives an overall picture of OSH the physical, mental and social aspects. The course gives an introduction to the role, rights and responsibilities, occupational safety and health laws and agreements. It also trains collaboration and negotiating skills. The training includes tasks before and during the course. The course lasts 3 days + 2 days.

The basic course for occupational safety representatives is usually held locally and is covered by employer support. However, you can check the rules on this for your sector here. The course is also suitable for occupational safety nominees and OSH committee members.

Basic courses for supervisors

Separate basic courses are organised for supervisors’ staff representatives. If you are a staff representative and are also a supervisor, you can apply for the supervisors’ course. 
 

Advanced courses for shop stewards and in occupational safety and health 

Apply for the advanced course for shop stewards about one year after completing the basic course.

The course broadens your skills in organising and working life matters and other aspects from the basic course. Other subject areas include business economics and international aspects in a shop steward’s work. During the training you do self-analysis of your own work, you get peer support and guidance for your future work. The course includes exercises in various subject areas. There is also an advance task, a written intermediate task and one prepared presentation on a subject of your choosing. The training lasts 5 days + 5 days. In most sectors the advanced course is paid, meaning it is covered by employer support. However, you can check this here. 

Apply in the event calendar. Read more on applying for training here.

Apply for the advanced course in occupational safety and health one year after completing the basic course. Advanced courses are organised in co-operation with Kiljava Institute.

You can take the advanced course around one year after completing the basic course. The course expands your knowledge of OSH and develops OSH planning skills. Key content includes work and well-being, employment law and developing activities at the workplace. Particular OSH issues in service sectors are also addressed from the perspective of occupational health care, public authority activity and your own inspection activity. The training lasts 5 days + 5 days and is organised in co-operation with the Kiljava Institute. 

Apply in the event calendar. Read more about applying for training here.

The advanced course for occupational safety representatives is usually paid and is covered by employer support. However, you can check this by sector here. 
 

Sectoral refresher training

PAM organises sectoral refresher training for staff representatives. When you have been on the basic course, you can go on refresher training for your sector. 

Some refresher courses may be covered by employer support, meaning you are paid to take the course. Check this here. Otherwise, staff representatives are supported in the form of course daily allowances and grants.

N.B. The education annex lists incorrect dates for refresher training in the facility services sector. Check the correct dates in the event calendar. 

Check training dates and apply in the event calendar . Read more about applying for training here.
 

Refresher training

If you have already been on the basic course for shop stewards, you can extend and update your skills, for example at the Kiljava Institute. As well as the PAM courses (you can find these in the event calendar), you can choose one short course of your own per year from the range of courses at Kiljava. You can find more information on the courses and dates on the Kiljava Institute website. Always register for Kiljava courses through PAM’s course secretary: kurssisihteeri(at)pam.fi. Read more about applying for training here.
 

Online training

PAM’s online training is free for members, and you can study at the time that suits you best! 

In order to study you need either a computer, tablet or smartphone, and an internet connection. Many of our online courses are in the Vuolearning learning environment, which can be accessed from any of the above devices. Thematic webinars on topical issues are organised in Teams. 

You can easily find the training that suits you in the event calendar. It is advisable to check the calendar actively since new online courses are added several times a year.
 

Thematic webinars

We organise thematic webinars on topical issues once a month.  Thematic webinars are held on Thursdays from 10-12 am. The exact subjects are decided closer to the date. To take part you need a computer or mobile device, an internet connection and headphones or a speaker. Webinars are held in Teams. Check the dates and register no later than one week before the webinar in the event calendar.

What subject would you like to have a thematic webinar on?
Send us a message: koulutus@pam.fi. 

Self-study online courses for staff representatives (N.B. Course language is Finnish):

COMING TURN OF FEBRUARY-MARCH 2021!
FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR SUCCESS - ONLINE COURSE  (Taloustieto yhteisen menestyksen tukena verkkokurssi)

Would you like to know how company finances work? Do you want to understand what keeps the wheels turning in the economy? Are you interested in following economic trends and seeing how economic cycles affect the lives of employees and consumers? The online course Financial information for success helps you to understand the basics of company finances and use this information in working life. The course teaches you to discuss financial issues credibly and on equal terms and make better financial decisions. Registrations in the event calendar

COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT BASICS (FACILITY SERVICES SECTOR, HOSPITALITY SECTOR) TES-perehdytykset (kiinteistöpalveluala, MaRaVa-ala)

Self-study online collective agreement courses for staff representatives. Find out about your collective agreement bit by bit. The courses are suitable both for newcomers to collective agreements and as a refresher. More information here. Registration for Collective agreement basics in the event calendar.  The commerce sector collective agreement basics course is being updated and will be opened later.  

DISAGREEMENT REPORTS (Erimielisyysmuistio tutuksi)

Self-study online course for shop stewards. The course goes through aspects of making a disagreement report. You will learn about the process of resolving disagreements at the workplace. You will also get an idea of when a disagreement report should be made and practical guidelines on making one. Registration in the event calendar.

LOCAL AGREEMENT (Paikallinen sopiminen)

Self-study online course for staff representatives. The course goes through what local agreement means. The course material shows you the levels of local agreement, legal aspects of making an agreement and how an agreement should be made in practice. You will also get an idea of the local agreement process at the workplace.
Register for the course in the event calendar.

SHOP STEWARDS AND OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY REPRESENTATIVES BASICS  (Luottamusmiesten ja työsuojeluvaltuutettujen perehdytys)

Take a look at the roles, rights and responsibilities of shop stewards and occupational safety representatives using the online material. The material is designed for recently appointed staff representatives but is also suitable as a refresher for more experienced staff representatives. Register for the course in the event calendar.

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