I attended the PNA Branch officials Training in October this year in Co. Cork. This was my second time attending this training as I had previously attended a few years ago pre-covid. This year there was a smaller group than previously but that didn’t have any impact on the training. I found it a very interesting, informative and enjoyable two days. The presentations and content that was covered was beneficial to someone like me, who has been a branch official for a number of years but is still picking up so much from these training days. I found there was a number of things that I had picked up this time that I hadn’t taken from the training the previous time I attended. These training dates are a great way of gaining knowledge in industrial relation matters, staffing issues, trust in care issues as well as a way of networking and getting to know colleague’s in other areas. The role play I found very helpful as it was good to see a grievance meeting played out in front of us and how as branch officials we can support our members that we represent.  I would encourage anyone that would like to be more involved in the union to attend this training when it runs again as it is a great way of understanding the role of a branch official, discuss and become familiar with various industrial relation issues and meet the officer board and other members of the PNA.There might even be a little sing song if you wait up late enough