This year’s OPSEU/SEFPO Member Development (MDT) and Staff Development Trainee (SDT) program comprised 12 MDTs and 4 SDTs, with one shadowing a supervisor role for the first time.
The 16 trainees spent 12 weeks completing workshops, job shadowing and networking. Some workshops included Organizing for Power, Train the Trainer and Dismantling Systemic Racism Training. Great panel discussions with staff from various departments across the organization came to share experiences, information and words of encouragement during the duration of the program.
Some trainees held various positions in the membership, from Local President to bargaining team members and stewards. This program allowed them to plan conferences, prepare for bargaining, and see what happens behind the scenes to prepare for a grievance with an employer. Having trainees with different levels of knowledge of the union created an environment where they weren’t just learning from their mentors, but they learnt from each other.
The program wrapped with a commencement for the trainees, and the day began with a panel discussion with OPSEU/SEFPO’s leadership team (Supervisors, Administrators and People & Culture), parting words from the mentors and remarks by President JP Hornick and First Vice-President/Treasurer Laurie Nancekivell.
Congratulations to the 2024 Graduates of the OPSEU/SEFPO Member Development (MDT) and Staff Development Trainee (SDT) Program, and huge thanks to the staff who volunteered to support our trainees.