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Labor Education Programs and Trainings
The Labor Education Center offers a diverse range of in-person and virtual programs led by instructors with extensive real-world organizing and advocacy experience.
Certificate Programs
Grounded in popular education principles, our hands-on, applied Certificate programs empower activists, members, stewards, officers, and staff from unions, worker centers, and community-based organizations to expand their understanding of labor issues, develop leadership skills, build professional networks, and prepare to take on advanced roles in labor organizations and advocacy.
Labor Leadership Certificate
This six-course series provides participants with a comprehensive education in labor issues and skills to promote economic and social justice effectively. Courses are taught virtually in the Fall and Winter, and can be taken individually or as a series to earn the full certificate.
Learn more
Advanced Bargaining Certificate
This two course certificate provides students with high-level training to negotiate stronger contracts and cost out detailed union proposals. Courses are held in-person in the fall and spring, and teach students to effectively draft and cost union contract proposals.
Learn more
The LEC collaborates with K-12 schools, higher ed, unions, worker centers, and community-based organizations to provide customized training programs that address specific needs. Topics covered include:
- Introduction to the Labor Movement and Labor History
- Stewardship and Grievance Handling
- Addressing Sexual Harassment and Racial Discrimination
- Internal and External Organizing Strategies
- Campaign Mobilization
- Activating Members
- Labor-Community Partnerships
- Research and Public Speaking Skills
- Labor Law and Contemporary Labor Issues
- Contract Administration and Labor-Management Relations
- Organizational Solidarity Building
We also provide in-depth training on topics from our Certificate programs. Training can be conducted in-person at your location, at our office, or virtually. Email us at LEC@depaul.edu to set up a training!
Youth Labor Education Programs
At the LEC, we are committed to fostering a multi-generational labor movement by empowering young leaders through comprehensive youth programs. These initiatives are designed to build pipelines for youth engagement, leadership development, and long-term involvement in the labor movement.
Join us in shaping the future of the labor movement by empowering the next generation of leaders. Explore our youth programs and discover how you can make a meaningful impact. For more information, contact us at
LEC@depaul.edu.
Our mock contract negotiations bring the bargaining process to life, illustrating the power of collective organizing while fostering students’ awareness about their rights and interest in the labor movement. Students work in teams with coaches from local unions and worker centers to draft proposals and attempt to reach an agreement with the opposing side. Contact us if you are interested in hosting us at your school or volunteering.
Our labor leadership training and mentorship program educates young workers about their labor rights, provides leadership and organizing skills, and connects them to local labor leaders and organizations, facilitating pathways for life-long involvement in the labor movement. The program is open to enrolled college or university students (ages 18–25) in the Chicagoland area, includes a stipend, and meets monthly from January through May. Stay tuned for our 2026 College Fellowship For Worker Justice application or email lec@depaul.edu to get on our mailing list.
Summer Programs
Every July through early August we offer two tracks of programming to equip young leaders with the skills and experience needed to advocate for worker rights and social justice throughout their working lives. Both programs provide funding to participating students. Read more below, and click the links to apply!
Regina V. Polk High School Union Summer School
This immersive program includes 5 weekly Friday trainings about unions, organizing skills, history, labor rights, and safety at work.
Apply here
Breving-Rosenberg High School Summer Internship
Our 1 month paid internship program offers hands-on experience working with a local union or worker center and training in conjuction with Union Summer School.
Apply here
Events, Consultations, and Resource Sharing
At the LEC, we serve as a trusted resource hub for information on worker rights and the labor movement. Our goal is to empower individuals, organizations, and communities with the tools, knowledge, and connections they need to drive meaningful change. For more information about any of the offerings below, contact us at
LEC@depaul.edu.
The LEC hosts public workshops to engage youth, community members, and labor leaders in open discussions on labor issues and the movement’s future. These sessions aim to inspire new initiatives, foster collaboration, and deepen the collective understanding of challenges for workers. We also offer guest lectures in high school and college classrooms to teach about various aspects of the labor movement, providing students with valuable insights into worker rights, advocacy, and the evolving landscape of labor organizing.
We provide expert consultations tailored to support organizing efforts, capacity building, and other labor-related needs. Whether you’re navigating workplace challenges, planning an organizing campaign, or looking to strengthen your organization’s impact, our team is here to help you strategize and succeed.
Stay informed with our curated content:
- Weekly Email Newsletter: Delivered straight to your inbox, our newsletter features labor-related news, upcoming events, opportunities to support active organizing campaigns, and valuable resources. Subscribe now!
- Social Media Updates: Follow us onFacebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for real-time updates, engaging content, and labor movement insights.
We actively contribute to the labor movement by affiliating with and serving as board members of respected organizations, including: