Nothing builds strong unions like educated, empowered, and motivated union members. And nothing builds a powerful labour movement like bringing together union members from a diversity of workplaces, backgrounds, and activism to share information and ideas, discuss common concerns, and build friendships.
CLC’s courses and workshops are offered at regional and local schools, through webinars and can be delivered to provincial and territorial Federations of Labour, local Labour Councils, and CLC affiliated unions.
Many of the courses and workshops described in this catalogue can be adapted to a variety of lengths and modalities (in-person, online or webinar formats). All courses are designed and delivered in English. Some courses may be delivered in French.
Please complete the following form to request a course or workshop from the CLC’s Education team. If you are interested in a course but would like to chat with us first, please email education@clcctc.ca to set up a call.
Please note that courses from the CLC Education team are available to affiliated unions, provincial/territorial Federations of Labour and Labour Councils only.
NEW! Course Catalogue in downloadable pdf booklet style.
Candidate Recruitment (1 hour – 90 minutes) is a hands-on workshop that equips local labour leaders with practical tools to find, engage, and support prospective candidates who align with labour's values. Participants will define their ideal candidate profile, build a stakeholder map to uncover recruitment opportunities, and develop a plan to speak to people about running in the local government elections.
Who this course is for: Local leadership, such as labour council and local union executive members and volunteers.
Collective Bargaining Level 1 (weeklong) leaves participants with a solid understanding of the bargaining process and the factors that affect collective bargaining. This course also introduces some of the laws and rules that structure the bargaining process and provides opportunities for hands-on practice and skills development in preparing for and negotiating parts of a collective agreement.
Who this course is for: Union members who currently, or plan to, participate in the bargaining process.
Domestic Violence at Work: Training for Union Representatives (2 days) helps shop stewards, health and safety representatives and other union representatives gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence at work, and the role of the union and the employer in addressing it. Participants learn ways to best support members who may be experiencing domestic violence, including how to recognize and respond to the warning signs and risk factors, and how to connect members to support and services in the community. Union representatives will also leave with tools to build awareness in the workplace about domestic violence at work.
Who this course is for: Experienced union representatives who work with members in workplaces.
Facing Management Effectively (weeklong) looks at the economic, political, and social forces at play between unions and management. It examines the roles and rights of each group and the different types of union/management relationships and styles. The course looks at the power, bias, and privilege dynamics between unions and management and how we can communicate effectively. The course focuses on problem solving – understanding issues, developing strategies, finding and presenting facts and argument, finding areas of agreement, building solutions, implementing and maintaining solutions. Participants can expect lots of interaction, and role-plays along with practical skills and tools for communication, analysis, strategy and critical thinking.
Who this course is for: Union representatives who deal with management.
How to Record & Manage Meeting Minutes (90 minutes) is a workshop for anyone who has the responsibility of taking minutes or recording the proceedings at meetings and maintaining the official records of an organization.
Who this course is for: Recording Secretaries, Secretary-Treasurers, Officers and Executive members of unions, Labour Councils and any labour organization.
How to Run a Union Meeting (2 to 3 hours) is a workshop about how to plan, organize and lead a successful membership meeting. From setting the agenda, giving notice, and preparing the meeting space to managing the discussion and bringing the meeting to a successful conclusion, this workshop takes participants through the steps required to ensure their meetings are accessible, democratic, productive and fair. Part 1 (2 hours) focusses on planning, organizing and leading a meeting. Part 2 (1 hour) offers a deeper dive into parliamentary procedure and chairing a successful meeting.
Who this course is for: Union and Labour Council leaders, executive members, and committee members responsible for organizing, executing and chairing meetings large and small.
Labour Council Online Financial Reporting System Training (online self-guided learning workshop) teaches Labour Council Secretary-Treasurers how to use the Labour Council Online Financial Reporting System (LC-OFRS) – an online tool developed by the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) to provide Labour Councils with an easy and convenient way to produce and file their mandatory financial reports. This course also reviews the roles and responsibilities of a Labour Council Secretary-Treasurer and offers tips on how to better organize and manage financial records. Once the training has been completed, participants will be familiar with the LC-OFRS user interface and be ready to prepare, print and submit their monthly financial and audit reports to the CLC and to its trustees.
Who this course is for: Labour Council Secretary-Treasurers, Labour Council Presidents looking to better understand the process.
Mental Health in the Workplace (weeklong) is an introductory survey course that helps to raise participants awareness about mental health issues facing workers in today’s workplace. Activists will develop a range of strategies to specifically support, accommodate and represent members with mental health challenges at work. Participants look at the myths around mental illness, challenge stigma and explore what role the union can play in making our workplaces and unions more inclusive of members with psychological disabilities. Participants develop action plans to take on systemic factors affecting mental health through advocacy, bargaining and political action.
Who this course is for: Union activists, stewards, committee members, local officers and union staff.
Steward Training Level 1 (weeklong) builds the skills, confidence, and knowledge a steward needs to represent their members. Participants will learn the roles and responsibilities of their position as stewards, the handling of grievances and complaints, problem solving skills, protecting contractual provisions in the collective agreement, and current issues for stewards.
Who this course is for: New stewards or union members who wish to become stewards.
Steward Training Level 2 (weeklong) allows participants to practice more advanced grievance handling skills, using real life case studies and role plays. Participants discuss discipline grievances, harassment, drug and alcohol issues, and different styles of management. The course deals with procedures before the process of arbitration. Knowledge of the first stages of the grievance process will be assumed.
Who this course is for: Chief stewards, business and assistant business managers, local officers, and stewards with considerable experience handling grievances.
Transforming Conflict into Union Solidarity (weeklong) approaches conflict in a novel way. It recognizes that conflict isn't always negative but that it is the outcome of the conflict that is negative or positive. The course teaches participants how to listen to people involved in a conflict, get to the root causes of a conflict, and how to coach people involved in a conflict to identify shared interests. Participants learn how to use those shared interests to help people involved in a conflict find solutions and turn the conflict and shared interests into union activism.
Who this course is for: Union representatives, leaders, educators, organizers and other active union members.
Using Modern Tools to Talk with Your Members (weeklong) begins with an internal union communications audit, then teaches participants how to use a variety of communications tools to reach union members with the union's message. The course culminates with a custom internal communications plan.
Who this course is for: All union members who wish to use a variety of communication tools.
Young Workers in Action (weeklong) is designed to give young union activists the skills they need to be effective in their workplace. The course covers public speaking, how meetings are run, how to read your contract, grievance handling, and the basic collective bargaining process.
Who this course is for: Young workers and young union activists (age 35 years and under).
Black and Racialized Facilitator Training (weeklong) is an interactive course designed to build the capacity of Black and racialized union facilitators. This training provides fundamental facilitation frameworks, as well as tools, tips and strategies for effectively training and leading groups. Through group practice and collaboration, participants will have the opportunity to hone their skills as trainers, while exploring some of the unique challenges faced by Black and racialized facilitators, emerging better equipped to lead meaningful discussions, navigate difficult conversations, and drive positive change within their unions.
Who this course is for? Black and racialized workers who are seeking to build skills in course/workshop facilitation.
Building Solidarity in Polarizing Times (2.5 days, 3 hours, 90 minutes) s a workshop that reinforces key learning found in the CLC weeklong course “Transforming Conflict into Union Solidarity”. Participants develop “solidarity skills” aimed at assessing, initiating and continuing conversations to address difficult topics. It focuses on having conversations about divisive topics, and will give union activists, leaders and staff new tools for finding ways to navigate through conflict, bridge the divide and move forward together.
Who this course is for: All workers who are in a leadership role in their union – elected leaders, stewards, activists, rank-and-file union members, and union staff.
Candidate Development for Women (weeklong) is a next step for women leaders, designed to address the real challenges women candidates face. It introduces ways to balance the day-to-day challenges in the face of high stress campaigns. Participants will take away new ways of campaigning, strategic planning, and framing our message. By building on communication and presentation skills, participants will leave with the tools to best communicate their message in on camera interviews, face to face debates, and with new media.
Who this course is for: Women leaders.
Igniting the Spark (4 hours) can be a stand-alone workshop or part of a larger training program aimed to recruit, elect and support women running for elected offices in government or in other elected positions (e. g. unions, associations, school boards, band councils, etc.). This workshop helps women identify their personal inspiration and envision themselves making a difference in the political sphere. In this interactive workshop, participants explore ways of building on their own skills and drawing on their own experience.
Who this course is for: Potential candidates, community leaders, and activists who identify as women.
Candidate Training (2 days, 1 day) is an intensive training designed to elevate the presence, communication, and campaign readiness of new and prospective candidates. Over one or two days, participants will sharpen their public speaking skills, master concise messaging for varied audiences, and learn how to handle challenging questions with confidence. The course also covers essential campaign communications – from assembling a mini media kit to managing cross-platform digital content. Participants will receive feedback on branding, on-camera presence, and visual identity, while also creating practical tools like social media templates and a 30-60-90 day campaign plan.
Who this course is for: Union members preparing to run or already nominated for an upcoming election.
Instructor/Facilitator Training (3-5 days) introduces participants to adult and popular education practices and facilitation techniques that focus on learning, action and inclusive movement building. Participants learn skills and knowledge required to facilitate short courses or workshops and adapt materials for a diversity of learning needs and styles.
Who this course is for: Union members who wish to become instructors in their own union and/or be called upon by the CLC to deliver labour education courses in a variety of settings.
Parliamentary Procedure and Public Speaking (weeklong) is a two-part course. Parliamentary Procedure covers how to run a meeting effectively, the duties of a chairperson and secretary, and how rules of order can provide a democratic and fair process to accomplish union business. Public Speaking covers how to speak persuasively to various groups and how different formats are used to speak at convention, debates, and impromptu gatherings.
Who this course is for: All union members.
So, You Want to Be a Candidate? (3 hours, 1 day) Are you considering a run for local office? This workshop helps prospective candidates understand what the role entails and whether it's the right fit for them. Participants will explore the responsibilities of politicians at various levels of local government, estimate the time and energy involved, and reflect on their personal motivations and readiness. The session also walks through key support structures – mentorship, volunteers, and training resources – and guides attendees in setting their first three steps toward candidacy. Whether you're exploring the idea or ready to start planning, this session provides a clear, structured launchpad.
Who this course is for: Union members considering a run for local office.
Women in Leadership (weeklong) offers an opportunity to develop and enhance participants’ leadership skills and knowledge around current and emerging labour issues. A major component of the course will cover communication and motivational skills that are important for women activists. Participants will explore ways of building on their skills and drawing on their experiences as they advance along the path to leadership and consider running for an elected position or supporting others who run.
Who this course is for: Leaders who identify as women.
Action Network Basics (3 days) is an in-person and hands-on training where participants learn Action Network’s basic functions to help address knowledge gaps and build confidence in using digital tools for campaigning and organizing. Anchored by organizing and campaigning scenarios, participants will learn how to use Action Network to create petitions, forms, events, send emails, as well as manage data records, leverage automated ladders, build email wrappers and more.
Who this course is for: Union communicators, campaigners, organizers, strategists, or administrative assistants that currently use, are onboarding to, or thinking about using Action Network.
Action Network Advanced (2 to 3 days) is an in-person and hands-on training designed to explore the more advanced features of the Action Network toolset which include advanced communication and engagement features and strategies, data management practices, and group network management. Participants learn how to get the most out of Action Network to level up their communication and engagement strategies by exploring topics like SMS programs, HTML and Liquid code, personalization datasets, advanced segmentation, event campaigns, AB testing, advanced automation practices, and network administration.
Who this course is for: Union communicators, campaigners, organizers, strategists, or administrative assistants that have a sound functional knowledge of the toolset. This means they are actively using the tool on a daily/weekly basis, and/or have completed the Action Network Basics course.
Building Your Strategy to Win (90 minutes, self-guided 1 day workshop) uses labour campaign strategies as examples to solidify understanding of the key aspects of any successful strategy (goals, theory of change, audience, tactics, measurements of success, timelines). In the self-guided 1‑day workshop, a group of activists (such as a union local or a Labour Council) will develop a framework for their own strategic plan that supports both the labour movement’s core issues and the goals of their union/labour council, while also considering the unique circumstances and perspectives of their membership.
Who this course is for: Union and/or labour council leaders, activists or staff that will be involved with leading campaigns.
Digital Strategies for Member Engagement (weeklong) Have you been wondering how digital campaigns can boost member engagement in your union? Drawing on lessons from successful political advocacy, issue-based campaigns, and your own union’s experiences, the course offers a practical framework for planning and running effective digital strategies. Over five days of collaborative learning and hands-on practice, you’ll master the fundamentals of digital engagement and learn how to seamlessly integrate digital into your union work, including:
Who this course is for: Union communicators, campaigners, organizers, strategists, and activists.
Empowering Campaigners Outside of Elections (3 hours) explains the difference between being “political” and being “partisan”, with emphasis on the importance of sustained political action outside of federal, provincial and/or municipal election periods. This workshop gives practical skills, tools and templates and best practices for leveraging the previous volunteer experience to deepen engagement.
Who this course is for: Union and/or labour council leaders, activists or staff that will be involved with leading campaigns.
Grassroots Leadership in Action (2 hours) provides an overview of the importance and benefit of in-person organizing, with a focus on canvassing on issues important to your union, your community and the labour movement. Participants will develop their organizing and leadership skills with the aim of empowering them to host future in-person actions.
Who this course is for: All workers who are in a leadership role in their union – elected leaders, stewards, activists, rank-and-file union members, and union staff.
Member Engagement, Member Action (weeklong) is designed for experienced shop stewards, local union leaders and union staff who want to transform how members engage with their union and how their union engages with their members. This course trains participants on the three-step approach to effective member engagement (Go, Listen, Build) and connects it to organizing approaches for building an active membership. Participants will leave with new skills and ideas for building and measuring a member engagement strategy.
Who this course is for: Experienced shop stewards, local union leaders and union staff.
Mobilize to Organize (90 minutes) contains two fast-paced, short and sweet sections designed to give participants new insight, tips and tools for organizing, engaging and empowering their membership. These skills are transferable and can also support growing the labour movement.
Who this course is for: All union members.
My MP and Me: Lobbying and Relationship Building (90 minutes) will support participants in standing up for workers by meeting with local MPs in their ridings. Participants will get to know the top issues and learn our best tips and tricks for building relationships with your local elected officials.
Who this course is for: Activists planning to meet with their local MP on a key issue, activists participating in CLC or union lobby days.
Playing by the Rules (90 minutes, online self-guided learning workshop) outlines Elections Canada rules for third party electioneering and how third parties can and cannot engage with the election. The workshop also outlines CRTC rules for calling members during the election period. Participants will practice application of these rules through a variety of scenarios.
Who this course is for: Union and/or labour council leaders, activists or staff that will be involved with planning and leading campaigns.
Real Talk, Tough Conversations (90 minutes) reviews the basic skills for navigating tough and frustrating conversations with members that disagree with us. This workshop, based on Building Solidarity in Polarizing Times, will provide participants with the skills for keeping their cool while navigating tough conversations with folks that disagree with us, or who are being influenced by mis‑information. These are useful skills for the workplace and the kitchen table.
Who this course is for: All workers who are in a leadership role in their union – elected leaders, stewards, activists, rank-and-file union members, and union staff.
The Issues and You (90 minutes) provides an overview of our core campaign issues to ensure a clear understanding to build confidence. Participants will work through how to read and use our message guides to push back on Conservative talking points on our key issues and how to reframe questions to suit our narrative.
Who is this course for? Union activists and members who want to feel comfortable talking about our key campaign issues.
A Path to Reconciliation: Standing in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples (3 days) is for allies, including non-Indigenous activists, to learn the history of Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island (North America). Facilitated by Indigenous labour activists, its purpose is to build meaningful, long-term relationships among Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples inside and outside of our workplaces, with the aim of acknowledging labour’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation. This course supports the decolonization of Indigenous peoples and the increase of Indigenous peoples’ representation in our workplaces and in our unions. Participants do not need any previous experience and are encouraged to bring open minds and hearts.
Who this course is for: Union staff, union representatives, stewards, leaders and others who engage with members or lobby or advocate for social and political change.
Challenging Anti-Black Racism (2 hours) is a primer for individuals to develop a basic understanding of anti-Black racism, as well as an understanding of the ways in which anti-Black racism manifests and impacts Black community members. Participants will explore ways to challenge anti-Black racism to better support Black members in the workplace and the union.
Who this course is for: Non-Black workers and allies.
Consent Culture (90 minutes) is built on the premise of grounding ourselves in an understanding of what consent/consent culture is. From here we can establish the building blocks that deepen our awareness of harassment, including sexual harassment. This short interactive session should be thought of as just one step in learning and talking about consent. It can be used as a “discussion starter” during the session and/or to introduce anti-harassment policies or codes of conduct within your union at a later date.
Who this course is for: All workers, especially union activists who are considering conversations about sexual harassment.
From Values to Action: Embedding Human Rights in Union Roles and Practice (weeklong) provides union leaders and members with a solid understanding of human rights principles and values, along with practical skills to apply them in every area of union work – such as leadership, union roles, organizing, bargaining and advocacy – across the entire labour movement. Participants will: build a foundational understanding of human rights principles, values and history; apply anti-oppression frameworks to union roles, leadership, labour organizing, and advocacy; learn to address human rights issues in practical and systemic ways; and foster personal and collective commitments to building human rights-centered unions.
Who this course is for: All workers, union members and leaders. NOTE: This is a new course that will be launched in Summer 2026.
Islamophobia in the Workplace (90 minutes) is for individuals with little to no knowledge about Islamophobia at work and in the community. As a primer, this workshop is meant to facilitate the basics on Islamophobia and its manifestations in the workplace. The workshop inspires participants to learn more about the Muslim faith, Muslims and their unique needs in the workplace, and how they can contribute to making their workplaces more inclusive for Muslim workers.
Who this course is for: Individuals with little to no knowledge about Islamophobia at work and in the community.
Pronouns: Fostering Inclusive Unions, Workplaces and Communities (90 minutes) is a virtual, introductory level workshop to help participants better understand why gender pronouns are important, how to use them, and how they can help foster inclusive unions, workplaces, and communities. The workshop includes a video component, two small breakout group discussions, and brainstorming activities.
Who this course is for: Union representatives, stewards and rank-and-file members.
2026 Webinar Series: Key Labour Issues and Campaigns (1-2 hours) will provide participants with a basic understanding of a particular issue affecting workers, unions and our local and global communities. Participants will leave with a better grasp of the issue itself, how it impacts workers and unions, what the labour movement is doing about it, and how they can get involved. Please visit canadianlabour.ca/education to find out more.
Who is this course for: All union members.
Debunking Myths and Shifting Power: A Worker’s Guide to the Economy (weeklong) is an introductory course focused on debunking some of the most common myths we hear about the economy. In this course, participants will learn the basics of how the economy works, how to push back on economic myths, and how to apply this knowledge to core union work like bargaining, member engagement, and policy advocacy. Many activists know these myths to be untrue but lack the language and confidence to push back against the false narratives that are often taken as fact. We must be able to confront the ideas behind bad economic policies and decades of economic mismanagement so that we can promote our vision of a just economy – one that puts people first. We cannot continue to cede economic expertise to the traditional economists whose ideas have undermined the labour movement, empowered the corporations, and enriched the billionaires. Turning the tide begins with building knowledge and confidence to push back on the dominant narratives and propose an economy that benefits everyone.
Who this course is for: Union members and activists looking to understand the economy and improve their communication skills around this issue.
CLC Education Department: education@clcctc.ca | 613-520-1080