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.
On-demand institutes
On-demand institutes are comprehensive, non-credit courses developed by university faculty at the affordable tuition rate of $99 per course. Registration is always open and ongoing.
Current on-demand institutes available:
- Essentials for Union Stewards
- Fundamentals of the Family and Medical Leave Act

School for Workers news
Labor Forward on summer break
The Labor Forward forum will return in September 2022. Thank you to all who have joined us for the 21-22 sessions.
May 20, 2022Labor Forward on May 18 with UW Health Nurses
Register now Wednesday, May 18, 2022, at noon we are welcoming UW Health Nurses. Join us for this month’s Labor Forward Forum. The forum is a free, online series held on the third Wednesday of …
April 21, 2022IBB Summer Training Institutes registration open
School for Workers and IBB International is partnering again for the annual IBB Summer Training Institutes. All IBB locals and lodges across the United States and Canada are encouraged to send their members to the …
April 19, 2022- 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.