When they start their role, all new reps will need to undertake the reps online induction training. This is a self-directed course and can be done at their own pace.
The course has four parts:
- Getting to know the PDA
- Being a member of the PDA
- Getting active in the PDA
- Recruiting PDA members.
As well as learning more about the PDA, the course helps members develop skills that can be used in their pharmacist roles, including communication skills and learning more about equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).
Once induction has been completed, new reps will then be able to attend one of the PDA’s face-to-face follow-on courses. These are held at Quorn Grange and are a great opportunity for reps to get together and learn from each other, sharing their experiences and thoughts on issues affecting pharmacists. These courses include organising on mental health, negotiating skills training, and more.
PDA National Representative for Wales and West and LloydsPharmacy Rep, Anjlee Shah said, “We’re all trained as a Health and Safety Rep and given training on mental health. We’ve had virtual and face-to-face training opportunities as reps, including campaigning and organising, negotiating, and understanding our role and duties as a PDA Workplace Rep. Working together with our fellow reps allows us to share experiences and also develop our skillset and strengths. As a PDA National Rep, we’ve also had to understand negotiating pay and the skills involved with the pay cycle.”
The PDA knows that by becoming a rep, a pharmacist cares about the issues facing their peers and wants to be part of making change happen. The PDA wants to ensure that reps are well-equipped to support members and that they have the knowledge and skills needed to help make changes for the better.
PDA members who would like to register for the reps induction training should contact [email protected]. Members who have completed their training and are interested in follow-on training can find details of these courses here.
Michal Lamparski, PDA Rep said, “For someone who had no previous experience in advising members and working as a union rep this was an amazing introduction that gave me more confidence.”
Learn more
- Positivity and possibilities: how PDA Reps are changing pharmacy for the better
- Hear from the PDA Reps
- Celebrating the PDA Reps
- PDA Student Reps in action, the GFTU Young Members Development Weekend
- PDA Reps Negotiating Skills Training
- PDA Reps collaborate on member engagement
- PDA Reps meet to share best practice in supporting members
- PDA Reps networking event hailed a success
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.