Why join?
Professional training & development
FDA Learn has been providing high-quality learning and development to civil servants since 2008. Engaging with civil service employers, it has developed into a programme bespoke to civil servants’ needs across the whole of the UK, supporting on average 8,000-plus learners each year.
We have a network of high-profile providers who specialise in our key delivery areas: leadership and management, career development and support for job applications, wellbeing, and upskilling. We run more than 250 courses each year, both online and in-person.
Our offer is unique. We know that no other trade union has the variety and quality of courses and events that we have. Our courses are co-designed with the involvement of civil servants from every department across the whole of the UK.
All of our sessions are free for FDA members, with weekly updates on upcoming webinars included in our member email.
Career development: Support for applying for new roles (Success Profiles)
Our career development programme offers specialised courses, events and masterclasses to assist civil servants in applying for new roles. Our courses are bespoke to the various recruitment processes that exist all over the UK and are run by specialist providers with many years of experience in this area.
We offer webinars, interactive courses, coaching and mentoring and masterclasses for individuals specifically designed to help you develop the skills you require to progress in your career and maximise your potential. We also work closely with employers to develop bespoke events for their staff and build specific projects.
Webinars and online courses
We run online courses and webinars each working weekday throughout the year. Our programme is designed to be flexible in order to fit into our members’ busy schedules. Our providers specialise in civil service learning and development and many are ex-SCS. Topics include leadership and management skills, knowledge building and upskilling, wellbeing and equality and diversity. We also offer a range of courses for workplace reps to support them in their roles.
All of our online offer is free for FDA members. If you register to attend the webinar and find you cannot attend at the time, you can often view the webinar after the event. All registered delegates are sent a link to view the slides and video after each webinar.
Some sessions are made available to non-members. For more information, or to sign up to our mailing list, contact fdalearn@fda.org.uk.
Public Sector Development and Mentoring Scheme
The Public Sector Development and Mentoring Scheme (PSDMS) is led by the FDA in partnership with civil service employers and partner universities working to support diversity in senior roles in the civil service. We offer advice, training and opportunities for mentoring. PSDMS is now one of the largest mentoring and training schemes in the UK civil service. Find out more here.
FDA Learning Champions
The role of learning champions is to inform and support members in developing and achieving their goals, promote FDA Learn to colleagues in their workplace as well as signposting to wider learning an development opportunities. To become a Learning champion, or to find out more about FDA Learn, email FDA Head of Organising and Learning.
Into Leadership
Together with Dods, the FDA hosts conferences to help underrepresented groups progress in their careers within the public sector. The Women into Leadership and Ethnic Minorities into Leadership conferences take place every year across the UK, and feature senior speakers, discussions and breakout sessions, all offering practical advice.
FDA members receive a significant discount for places at these events, details of which can be found on the Women into Leadership and Ethnic Minorities into Leadership websites.
Higher education offers and further learning
FDA Learn can advise and support members on opportunities for further learning. Some higher education institutions offer discounts to union members. We also run a number of successful union learning fund projects in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland where we can signpost to other funded courses. For more information contact fdalearn@fda.org.uk
Free webinar: Reasonable adjustments and hidden disabilities
This event outlines practical guidance for managing reasonable adjustments, and explores how reasonable adjustments can have a positive impact on wellbeing and productivity.
Led by the former Director of Acas Wales, Gareth Petty