The job of an Academy Organiser varies from one sponsoring union to another. However, some unions stipulate that their Academy Organisers will need to be nationally mobile which means that you would need to be willing and able to work on the road, away from your normal home of residence for varying lengths of time and in different parts of the country. In some instances, you might be expected to relocate to a different part of the country from where you currently reside because that is where the vacancy is available. Sometimes this relocation can occur more than once in the year. Because of the nature of union organising this can at times involve long days and evening work along with weekends.
Most unions look for flexibility in travel and location.
In essence to be an organiser you have to be at the workplace when the workers are there which can sometimes mean in the late evening, early morning, mid-afternoon or indeed to go twice in the one day to catch a shift change is not uncommon. You are advised to be clear on the requirements of the sponsoring union if you are offered a place. You should ask these questions at the interview stage so as to make an informed choice if this is the right union for you. The Organising Academy will try to give you a detailed outline of sponsoring unions and geographical locations as soon as possible before the assessment centres. We always take enquiries from anyone interested in the movement seriously.