Career Spotlight:  Regional Officer - UNITE Union 

 Please describe what your job typically involves – The role involves working with members of our trade union and their representatives in order to secure better terms and conditions of employment and a decent level of pay. We can represent members in matters of grievance and disciplinary, pay negotiations and in consultation processes with the employer.
  • Why did you want to do this job, what inspired you? – I have carried out various union related roles over a number of years now and having seen my own representatives’ work to help others in the past it inspired me to commit to work hard and train to attain a level of understanding required to carry out my role.

  • What qualifications do you need for this job? – There are no clear guidelines for applying for this role however I have attained high level qualifications in Employment Law, Trade Union studies, Equality and Diversity and Health and Safety.

  • Did you go to college, university, or did you do an apprenticeship or other form of training? – I have attended both college and University during my time studying.

  • Are you required to do ongoing training? – The law is ever changing and we regularly receive training and development sessions to help us keep up to date with this.

  • Have you always done this job or have you changed career? What did you do before? – I have been in this role for approximately 15 months now but before taking up this role I worked as a mechanical engineer in the paper conversion industry and before that I served my indentured apprenticeship with the Ministry of Defence working on warships and nuclear submarines.

  • What do you like most about your job? – Having the position and ability to help others.

  • Are there any downsides? – Yes, it can at times be a stressful job but it can also be very rewarding.

  • What advice would you give to a young person, who wanted to do a similar job, about how to get started? - Work hard and enjoy your time at school to attain the qualifications you are studying for and learn to respect others no matter what their background may be.

  • What do you like to do when you’re not at work? Interests, hobbies, etc. - I do enjoy playing my guitars and walking my dog and also meeting up with my friends for the occasional night out.

Any other information – Your years at school are where you start to learn, start to make friends and prepare yourself for life after school, try to enjoy this time and believe that your options are limitless! Never stop trying to improve as an individual.