The GFTU Young Members Development Weekend was held this year from 11 – 13 November at Quorn Grange. The weekend is an annual event that allows young activists to learn the tools to make change within their universities and workplaces.
Some of the workshops hosted throughout the weekend included negotiating skills, media training, and the role trade unions can make in helping sectors become more environmentally friendly. The workshops were very interactive and allowed all delegates to put these skills into practice. For example, the negotiating skills workshop allowed delegates to sit down together and practice their skills so that groups could come to an agreement and allow all to be satisfied with the outcome.
Leah, PDA Student Rep, and third-year Cardiff University student said, “The GFTU Young Members Development Weekend was a brilliant experience. It was so lovely to meet lots of people that stand for the same things as I do. The opportunity also allowed me to expand my knowledge of trade unionism and learn how to apply it in the union that I am a part of. I would definitely recommend it to anyone that was interested!”
Charlotte Haile, PDA Digital Communications Executive said, “The weekend was a great way to network with PDA Student Reps and young members from other trade unions. It was an opportunity to learn of the struggles other trade unions are facing and how together we can all show solidarity.”
PDA delegates at the GFTU Young Members Development Weekend
Negotiating skills workshop
Politics and trade unionism workshop
MPharm students are held to the same standards as healthcare professionals from the beginning of the MPharm course. As such, PDA Student Reps are integral to ensuring that the PDA can represent and support student members and they play a key role in making positive changes in their university and building a supportive student network.
PDA Student Reps have worked with other networks to lead change in the MPharm curriculum so that it is more inclusive. Student reps have also held supportive events for members on topics such as exam preparation, oriel, and managing stress. They have also helped members to give feedback to the GPhC on the changes to IETP.
Training weekends like these encourage PDA Student Reps to continue to grow in confidence as activists intent on supporting their colleagues and making positive changes in the pharmacy sector. By providing PDA Student Reps the opportunity to attend events like this they will learn skills that will allow them to continue their invaluable roles as PDA Reps throughout their pharmacy journey.
Learn more
- PDA student reps attend Young Members Development Weekend
- The PDA represented at the GFTU’s Young Member’s Development Weekend
- PDA welcomes a mutual membership between WEA and GFTU
- PDA Student Reps
Not yet a PDA member?
If you have not yet joined the PDA, we encourage you to join today and ask your colleagues to do the same.
Membership is FREE to pharmacy students, trainee pharmacists, and for the first three months of being newly qualified.
Read about our key member benefits here.