School for Workers is the original university-based labor education program in the United States. Starting in 1925 as one of the first operational components of the Wisconsin Idea, the school has a long tradition of evolving alongside the current needs of working people, labor organizations, and community partners. Today, the tradition continues, as School for Workers carries our mission forward throughout Wisconsin and beyond.
Spring 2023 institutes
Registration is open
School for Workers institutes are high-quality, noncredit courses taught by university faculty in Madison or online. The spring 2023 institute offerings will have something for everyone, with residential and online learning opportunities. Registration for all spring 2023 institutes opens in December, and don’t forget that on-demand institutes are always open for registration.

On-demand institutes

Registration is always open!
On-demand institutes are comprehensive, non-credit courses developed by university faculty at the affordable tuition rate of $99 per course. The course is divided into units with various readings, short videos, and supportive documents to explore a set topic. Participants can access the course 24/7, for up to six months after registration, to explore and complete the course material.
Courses now available:
- Essentials for Union Stewards
- Fundamentals of the Family Medical Leave Act
School for Workers news
Labor Forward on Feb 15 with Jaz Brisack, Starbucks union leader
Register now Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at noon (CT) we are welcoming Jaz Brisack, Starbucks union leader Join us for the next Labor Forward Forum featuring Jaz Brisack, Starbucks illegally terminated union leader. The forum …
January 20, 2023Professor Armando Ibarra recognized as 2023 Distinguished Alumni Honoree at CSU
Professor Armando Ibarra was recognized as a 2023 Distinguished Alumni Honoree at California State University (CSU). Ibarra earned his degrees in Sociology and Spanish, from CSU in 1999; and his MA, Public Administration in 2002 …
January 18, 2023Dr. Lola Loustaunau discusses worker health and safety with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
To support the San Francisco Fed’s congressionally-mandated mission of promoting full employment and stable prices, the SF Fed’s Community Development team has been engaging with low-wage workers to better understand the tradeoffs that workers and …
January 5, 2023- More School for Workers news
National Labor College Legacy Institute
School for Workers is proud to be recognized as a National Labor College (NLC) Legacy Institute. As a Legacy Institute, the Board of Trustees of NLC recommends School for Workers to all members of the labor movement as an institute where they can access high-quality labor education offerings.