The IBEW recognizes that Local Union members must have the proper training to be efficient in their roles as leaders in the union movement. Training classes are conducted periodically in the district and whenever requested by local union Business Managers to prepare local union members to perform their duties to help build a more progressive, dynamic labour movement.
To request training for your local union, please use the form below.
CODE OF EXCELLENCE PROGRAM
The Code of Excellence (COE) Program is built on the IBEW’s core values – Safety, Professionalism, Accountability, Relationships, Quality (SPARQ). It is designed to promote those standards of excellence at each and every IBEW workplace. The program is available to all local unions as a training for officers, leaders and staff, and as a training for Members. COE training is important at all levels in order to have successfully implemented the program. Your district and education representatives will assist your local with train-the-trainer classes if requested.
Code of Excellence (COE) Executive Board Presentation
Class Length: 4 Hours*
The Code of Excellence is a declaration of the core values—safety, professionalism, accountability, relationships and quality—that have driven our union for more than 125 years and will build our future in the 21st century. Implementing the COE does not mean labor will always agree with management, but our professional attitude paves the way for a solutions-driven outcome. This presentation will address all questions and concerns at the local union leadership level and assist an executive board in the decision to adopt the Code of Excellence Program for the membership at the local union level.
Code of Excellence (COE) Contractor Presentation
Class Length: 2 Hours*
The guiding principles behind the Code of Excellence are safety, professionalism, accountability, and relationships. This leads members to take pride in their work and approach every day to prove why IBEW members are the best in the business. This presentation will introduce the signatory contractors to the Code of Excellence Program and provide them the opportunity to partner with the members in implementing the program.
Code of Excellence (COE) Training
Class Length: 4 Hours*
The Code of Excellence is designed to promote the IBEW to employers, customers, and fellow members. This course focuses on the responsibilities of IBEW members, how to resolve problems using COE provisions, and how to successfully implement the COE program within your local union or workplace. This course is available specifically designed to the respective branches of the IBEW – Construction, Manufacturing, Railroad, Telecom, Broadcasting, Government Employees, and Utility.
Code of Excellence Steward Training
Class Length: 7 Hours*
This course explores the important differences between the roles and responsibilities of COE stewards and traditional stewards. Participants will learn effective communication and listening skills and how to deal with difficult people and handle conflict. Exercises will provide participants with practice in addressing typical workplace challenges. This course is available specifically designed to stewards of the various branches of the IBEW – Construction, Manufacturing, Railroad, Telecom, Broadcasting, Government Employees, and Utility.
LEADERSHIP COURSES
New Business Manager Training (NBMT) Week 1 and Week 2
Class Length: 10 Days*
This course is offered to newly elected Business Managers in each International Vice-Presidential district. Over the course of two 1-week sessions, this training will provide local union leadership with the in-depth information, resources, and skills necessary to conduct the day-to-day affairs of their local unions.
Local Union Leadership Training (LULT)
Class Length: 1.5 Days*
Designed for all IBEW officers, LULT focuses on two critical areas necessary for growing your local union: leading and managing. This course reviews the key responsibilities of each elected officer as defined by the IBEW Constitution and Basic Laws & Policies as well as the everyday application of those responsibilities.
Construction Organizing Membership Education Training (COMET) and Leadership Education and Planning for Organizing (LEAP) Train-the-Trainer Courses
Class Length: 4 Hours*
This interactive course prepares union leaders, organizers, and appointed staff to teach the COMET and LEAP training classes. Areas of focus include the importance of organizing, adult learning styles, proven teaching techniques, and effective communication skills.
Amplifying Member Participation = Strength (AMPS) Training
Class Length: 7 Hours*
The AMPS training dispels misconceptions and myths about diversity and inclusion and focuses on promoting interaction between members to build relationships and solidarity across the membership. The session also discusses ways that our diversity strengthens our union and enables us to address the challenges facing our movement.
UNION BUILDING COURSES
Member Orientation
Class Length: 4 Hours*
This course is available for members in professional/industrial and construction local unions. Topics include the IBEW Constitution, history and structure, local union bylaws, collective bargaining agreements, and member benefits.
Common Sense Economics Training
Class Length: 4 Hours*
This program examines the current state of the economy from a worker’s perspective. Participants will challenge assumptions about the economy and connect economic issues to union goals including organizing, community engagement, legislative and political action, and collective bargaining.
Communication for the Purpose of Organizing
Class Length: 1.5 Days*
In recognizing that the first object of the IBEW is to “Organize all workers in the entire electrical industry” and the fact that the very survival of our great union is dependent upon our continued growth, the focus of this training will be membership development.
Engaging Membership in Political Action/Lobbying
Class Length: 1 Day*
The course will mobilize members to become aware of critical issues and elect labour-friendly candidates, which is imperative to ensure the success of the IBEW and the labour movement.
Introduction to Mental Health
Class Length: 7 Hours*
The training will provide participants with an overview of current developments in mental health policy and the knowledge and understanding to advocate effectively.
Workplace Respect & Dignity – Bullying
Class Length: 6 Hours*
The course title is “Workplace Respect and Dignity – Bullying” which is training founded on the fundamental principle that all people have the right to be treated with respect and dignity, and also the responsibility to extend that same respect and dignity treatment to others.
Domestic Violence in the Workplace (Canadian Labour Congress developed training)
Class Length: 1.5 Days*
Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior used by one person to gain power and control over another with whom he/she has or has had a personal relationship. It may include physical violence, sexual, emotional and psychological intimidation, verbal abuse or manipulation, stalking, and the use of electronic devices to harass and control. The training will address domestic violence as one of the workplace issues that threatens the fundamental principal of health and safety.
ORGANIZING COURSES
Construction Organizing Membership Education Training (COMET)
Class Length: 4 Hours*
This course focuses on the essential need for organizing and the importance of all members participating in the effort to grow our union.
Leadership Education and Planning for Organizing (LEAP)
Class Length: 3 Hours*
The LEAP course is designed to increase local union leadership’s commitment to education and planning for growth. Designed for professional/industrial local unions, this course examines the connection between the economic realities of today’s middle class and collective bargaining. The session also discusses how organizing increases collective bargaining strength, why members should participate in organizing, and how to start an organizing campaign.
Member to Member and Member to Future Member (M2M and M2FM) Training
M2M Class Length: 4 Hours*
M2FM Class Length: 4 Hours*
These courses are designed to engage current members in organizing efforts. Topics covered include IBEW history, effective communication, and foundational organizing skills. Members will learn to address the concerns of current and future IBEW members and practice their techniques via role-play during the training. In each class, participants develop an action to be implemented at the local union level upon completion of the training.
3-Day New Organizer Training
Class Length: 3 Days*
This course is available to new construction and professional/ industrial organizers. It is designed to give new organizers a working knowledge of foundational organizing skills. In addition, the course addresses industry history and trends as well as legal dos and don’ts.
Organizer Boot Camp
Class Length: 4.5 Days*
This 5-day course is designed for both new and experienced local union organizers. The training builds on the concepts addressed in the 3-Day New Organizer Training and provides advanced skill development and best practices to improve organizing success.
BARGAINING COURSES
Collective Bargaining Training
Class Length: 1.5 Days*
This course equips negotiating team members with the fundamentals of collective bargaining and advanced negotiating tactics. A mock negotiating session will provide attendees with a practical application of the knowledge and skills learned in the course.
STEWARD COURSES
Basic Steward Training Class
Class Length: 1.5 Days*
These courses are offered for construction and professional/ industrial stewards. Stewards will learn about their roles and responsibilities, legal rights and obligations, and investigation techniques.
Advanced Steward Training
Class Length: 6 Hours*
The advanced session includes conflict resolution, effective communication, and skill building through a mock grievance meeting so attendees can practice what they’ve learned.
GOVERNANCE COURSES
How to Conduct a Hearing
Class Length: 6 Hours*
This training is aimed at assisting hearing officials to promote more effective trial board procedures founded on the fundamental principle that all members have the right to fair and equal treatment. The training will address common mistakes and issues that threaten this fundamental principle.
Election Training
Class Length: 4 Hours*
This presentation provides the key ingredients to the local union election process to ensure a fair election.
Conducting Effective and Successful Meetings
Class Length: 6 Hours*
This program is designed to examine the problems that may be encountered in running union meetings and offers solutions to these problems.
GENERAL INTEREST COURSES
RENEW Toolkit
Class Length: 2 Hours*
This presentation outlines the purpose and mission of the NextGen/Renew initiative, teaching participants about the framework, how to create an effective NextGen committee, establishes common structures of committees and addresses principles of recruiting.
Yesterday to Today: A Brief History of the Canadian Labour Movement
Class Length: 2 Hours*
In memory of the 100th anniversary of the Winnipeg general strike, we will examine the Canadian labour History from where we began to where we are today. This course will look at the key events that have made the Canadian labour movement what it is – from the British Trade Union Act to today. Improving not only the lives of those within our ranks but lives outside of our ranks.
Engaging Millennials
Class Length: 2 Hours*
This presentation outlines the demographics of the IBEW by generation and describes how each generation approaches work, family, and social life differently. It goes on to enhance the ways that the IBEW is addressing these differences and aiming to engage with the up-and-coming generation of workers.
Politics of Young Workers
Class Length: 2 Hours*
This presentation delivers a general overview of the Federal Government, Federal political parties, the importance of voting, how union members can be civically engaged across Canada, and how politics influences the work of the IBEW and the labour movement.
The Education Department is available to provide resources and training at every level of our organization.
If you don’t see what you need listed here, just ask! We are always developing programs to fit your needs.
Request form
Training classes are conducted periodically in the district and whenever requested by local union Business Managers.
*Class lengths are approximations