The majority of courses in the new GFTU Education Programme for 2025/2026 are free for SWU members – see what’s on offer!
The General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU) Educational Trust has launched its biggest selection of training courses yet at the 2025 Durham Miners’ Gala. SWU General Secretary John McGowan, who was recently elected as GFTU co-Vice President, was in attendance and representing the union. The GFTU are offering over 90 courses this year which is an 80% growth of content on offer to members since 2023.
The GFTU courses offer something for everyone who is already active or wants to become active in their trade union. They combine the best elements of union education, development of skills, peer-to-peer networking, and strategic discussion with a hybrid delivery. There is a broad range of topics to learn about including tackling inequality in the workplace, trade union and working-class history, roots of racism, international solidarity, skill building, the use of Artificial Intelligence, employment law, and union strategy.
GFTU Head of Education, Campaigns & Organising Henry Fowler commented:
“We are delighted to have secured such an incredible lineup of speakers from across the world to help us discuss the strategies and tactics our movement needs. We continue to balance the residential courses at our fantastic training centre with the online spaces that we know are critical to supporting workers building power.”
John McGowan, SWU General Secretary, said,
“The founding mission of the GFTU in 1899 was built around three pillars — education, solidarity and unity in action – and the continued excellence of its training is supported by these pillars. Nearly all of the training offered in the GFTU Education Programme 2025-2026 is free for members of affiliated organisations such as SWU, and this includes hotel stays and meals for the residential courses.”
The full Education Programme can be viewed on the GFTU Educational Trust website, including links to apply for all courses: https://gftuet.org.uk/education
The full timetable of courses for 2025-26 can be downloaded here as a PDF.