Labour College of Canada

2012 Intensive Program Dates

First Session: May 5-18, 2012
Second Session: August 19-31, 2012
Application deadline: November 18, 2011

A College for Workers

The Labour College opened its doors to workers in 1963. Today, it offers a four-week Intensive Program of post-secondary learning for union activists who want to enhance their leadership capacities.

Who Should Apply?

If you are committed to building a strengthened labour and broader social justice movement, this College is for you. If you want to be part of an activist network, develop research and strategic planning skills, this College is for you. If you are an activist with demonstrated commitment to playing a leadership role in your union, this College is for you. If you think you need a better understanding of the forces that shape our lives, this College is for you. If you want to expand your leadership and strategic planning skills and you just love learning, this College is for you. 

The Learning Environment

The Labour College provides a healthy learning and living environment for students, faculty and administrative staff. The cornerstones of this positive environment are respect, equality, dignity and the full enjoyment of human rights. At the beginning of College all students take a mandatory workshop on developing a healthy and respectful learning environment given the labour movement’s commitment to equality.

The College has undergone an extensive review resulting in a new design and curriculum to better meet the needs of today’s activists and unions.
The Labour College Intensive Program consists of two weeks in an in-residence session, followed by a three-month interim in which students will conduct a project in conjunction with their union. Having completed this project, participants will reconvene for a final two week, in-residence session.

Student Evaluation

A student’s attendance, participation and effort, readings and assignments are part of the evaluation criteria used to determine successful completion of the program. Students are required to complete assignments in a timely manner in a way that reflects this level of education. Demonstrated effort is required and expected in every subject. While there are no final exams, some testing for knowledge and understanding may be done during the session.

Individual Learning Outcomes

The goal of the Labour College Intensive Program is to ensure that students obtain the following learning outcomes:

  1. improved analytical skills through social, economic, historical and political research and analysis
  2. increased capacity and confidence to be active and engaged in the movement
  3. increased awareness of and commitment to diversity and equality
  4. strengthened leadership and communications (oral, written, interpersonal) skills
  5. enhanced ability to set goals, reflect and assess progress
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