LABOUR COLLEGE - Open for Application until April 30, 2023

Labour College, CLC’s flagship trade union leadership development program, is a unique learning opportunity for union leaders and active members to learn new skills and take on the challenges that face the labour movement. It provides university level courses on issues related to work and the rights of workers in Canada. It gives graduates the necessary tools to be effective leaders in their union, their labour council, and the wider labour movement for the benefit of all workers.

CUPW members in good standing are eligible to apply for this post-secondary program. It is offered in English.

For information concerning similar training in the French language, for francophones in Québec, please contact Isabelle Coulombe at the FTQ Department of Education at icoulombe@ftq.qc.ca or by calling 514-383-8027.

The program’s aims are:

•      To build leadership skills and provide leadership tools;

•      To foster empowerment, self-confidence and new networks of labour leaders;

•      To strengthen critical thinking skills;

•      To examine working class struggles and human rights issues that affect all workers;

•      To create change.

Schedule*

Three intensive course sessions are offered over 12 months or longer. Each session includes online and in-person learning in addition to independent study. In-person classes are offered each year in British Columbia (BC) and/or Ontario.

SESSION 1: Unions in the Political Economy

•      Week of July 16 to 21, 2023 – In person in Ontario or Nova Scotia

•      September/October, 2023 – Online

SESSION 2: Labour Leadership and Organizing Change

•      January/February, 2024 – Online

•      Week of February 25, 2024 – In person, BC 

SESSION 3: Growing the Movement – Inside and Out

•      May/June, 2024 – Online

•      Week of July 14, 2024 – In person, Ontario or Nova Scotia

(*) Dates are subject to change.

Three intensive course sessions are offered over 12 months or longer. Each session includes online and in-person learning in addition to independent study. A maximum of two week-long in-person classes are offered each year in BC, Ontario and/or Nova Scotia.

Subjects include:

• Foundations of Political Economy
• Theory and Practice of Unions
• Strategic Thinking, Planning and Project Development
• Research and Communications Skills
• Truth to Reconcili-Action
• Leadership for Movement Building
• Education for Action/Organizing for Change
• Work and Workers in a Global World
• Governance, Laws and Policies

Who should apply? *

CUPW members in good standing who:

• are or have been active in their union (elected position, active volunteer, committee member, etc.)
• have attended one or more labour education course(s)
• are active in social and economic justice issues in their community
• are able to make the time over a year or more to attend and prepare for online and in- person courses, and complete the independent learning requirements.

Members of equity-seeking groups: Women workers, workers of colour, workers with disabilities, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirit, intersex and Indigenous workers are encouraged to apply.

* If you are considering applying, please contact your Local and your Region to advise them.

How to Apply

Applications (for Cohort 11) will close on April 30, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time).

All applicants are encouraged to speak with their union education representative to see if this program is right for them and to identify if financial support is available before submitting their application form.

If you are ready to apply for the next LCC Certificate Program, you can start your application here: https://clcctc.checkbox.ca/lcc-application-2023-cohort-11.

If you have questions about the LCC Certificate Program please email: labourcollege@clcctc.ca.

What about the costs?

The Joe Davidson Education Fund, as outlined in Article 11.04 of the CUPW Constitution, covers the costs for one participant and a second applicant’s costs will also be covered by CUPW.

In Solidarity,