Education and Training

Education and training programs at the Institute are divided into four categories: Customized Training Programs for Unions and Organizations; Career Skills Training; Personal Enrichment; and Preparing for Retirement.

Customized Training Programs for Unions and Organizations

The Institute for Labor Studies Customized Training Program for Unions and Organizations is a unique opportunity for your union local or organization.

The Institute for Labor Studies will create and conduct training programs specifically tailored to your requirements and specifications, and at a time and location that is convenient to you.

Course and workshop offerings include English-as-a-Second Language (ESL), High School Equivalency Preparation (GED), labor relations, steward training, steward training in Spanish, leadership skills, computer training, and building solidarity.

Following are some examples of the range of trainings the Institute can offer:

  • Conflict Resolution
  • Customer Service
  • Domestic Violence in the Workplace
  • Effective Communication
  • Effective Grievance Handling
  • Practical Spanish for Your Job
  • Public Speaking for Union Activists
  • Reducing Workplace Stress
  • Rights and Responsibilities of Stewards
  • Sexual Harassment: It’s About Power
  • Workplace Relationships

For more information about the Institute’s
Customized Training Program contact:
Roger Boudreau at 401-463-9900




Career Skills Training

Auto-CAD Basic (English and Spanish) $679.00
Auto-Cad is a vector drawing program in a powerful, computer-aided drafting (CAD) tool. Auto-CAD is used in industry, architecture, and landscape and construction design as the standard program for graphic communication. Through lectures, demonstrations and hands-on experience, students will learn how to use a Cartesian coordinate system. Upon completion, students will be able to understand the logic of the program and create a simple drawing. 40 hours.

Auto-CAD Intermediate (English and Spanish) $679.00
This class will build on skills learned in Auto-CAD Basic. In addition, students will generate scale plots and become familiar with the use of blocks, shortcut menus, and grips; edit ploy-lines; work with properties and hatching, multiple drawings, etc. Upon completion, students will be able to take a project from the initial stage through completion. 40 hours.
Prerequisite: Auto-Cad Basic or permission of the instructor.

Blueprint Reading in English $279.00
Learn to read and interpret construction plans within the American Industry Standard of Construction Plan Reading. This course will use examples, graphics, illustrations and analysis to explain drafting techniques and prepare students to use these skills at a job site as an architect or engineer’s assistant. 30 hours.

Blueprint Reading in Spanish $279.00
Learn to read and interpret construction plans within the American Industry Standard of Construction Plan Reading. This course will use examples, graphics, illustrations and analysis to explain drafting techniques and prepare students to use these skills at a job site as an architect or engineer’s assistant. In addition, bilingual skills can help improve communication on the job and are often in great deman in the construction industry. 30 hours.

Foundations of Project Management $250.00
Whether you are considering management as a career or already have entry-level management responsibilities, this course will let you explore project management as a career field. Participants will examine the basics of project management and gain insights into ethical and professional standards. Upon completion, students will have the practical tools necessary to guide a project to completion. 20 hours.

Emergency Vehicle Driving Program $700.00
This two-day program is designed for drivers of emergency vehicles and includes classroom lectures on topics such as vision and line of sight, time and distance, tires, vehicle dynamics, braking and turning, problem awareness and controlling adrenaline. The second half of the program is experientially-based; exercises include slalom, braking and turning, emergency lane changes, backing-up, lines and apex drills, and more. This program is designed for police, fire and EMT, campus police, private security details, security guard companies, forest rangers and DEM, and Corrections. Vehicles provided. Customized contract programs are available.

Vehicle Control Clinic $330.00
In this one-day program, participants will acquire the necessary skill sets and knowledge to help them navigate safely to and from their daily routine. The second half of the program is experiential including driving exercises such as slalom, braking and turning, emergency lane changes, and backing-up at speed with control. The program is designed for all drivers who want to better their driving skills as well as for companies who use professional drivers such as sales representatives, delivery people, summer camp drivers and limo/livery companies. This course is designed to accommodate students with a range of driving experience from the novice to the professional; it will also benefit anyone or any one who wants to sharpen their driving skills. Vehicles provided.

Personal Enrichment

Effective Communication Skills for Activists and Leaders
Do you get speechless when you have to make a speech? Does the thought of talking to a reporter leave you breathless? Learn how to develop and deliver your message more effectively to individuals, groups, and the media. Designed for new activists and experienced union leaders. Let Labor’s Voice be heard!

Practical Spanish For Your Job
The fastest-growing immigrant population in Rhode Island is Latino. More than ever, workers find that they need to speak some Spanish in order to communicate with clients, customers, and co-workers. In this course, students learn the important Spanish words and phrases needed to communicate on the job. Emphasis will also be given to understanding cultural differences. Level I is for beginners. Level II builds on skills acquired in Level I.

Public Speaking
Your success as a leader or officer may depend on how well you address a group. But public speaking can be a frightening experience for most people. In this seminar, participants will conquer the fear of speaking before an audience; learn how to organize speeches effectively; learn how to analyze an audience and find the best words for that audience; and gain confidence. Throughout the seminar, participants practice techniques aimed at alleviating nervousness and helping to reduce stress.

Staging Inside and Out $350.00
This practical class introduces the latest style options to showcase your home and/or garden. Whether you are just re-decorating or preparing your home for sale, this class will provide creative and practical solutions to your design challenges. Students will learn to use color and patterns creatively to compliment their own furniture, fixtures and accessories to give their home a fresh new look without spending a lot of money. 30 hours

Workplace Relationships Skills $100.00
The ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and supervisors is a key to success on the job. This course highlights the components of interpersonal skills and strategies necessary to manage work life and its collegial relationships.

Preparing for Retirement

Personal Finance
Financial planning is not just for the rich. It’s important for everyone. This workshop will assist participants in understanding investments such as stocks, bonds and mutual funds, and will help individuals prepare budgets. Unlock the secrets of accumulating wealth for a person who works and has a moderate income.

Planning for Retirement: Wills and Estates
How can you take care of those you love? Do you need a will? Do you need to revise an existing will? Do you need an estate plan? Participants will hear the answers to these questions and more in this inclusive workshop.

Rhode Island State Retirement System and Retirement Medical Options for State Employees
This workshop provides an overview of membership within the RI Employees’ Retirement System. It is specifically designed for members 5 to 10 years from retirement and will teach individuals how to compute retirement benefit as well as outline the various payment and medical insurance options.

Understanding Social Security
Prepare for the future by learning about the benefits provided by Social Security. Learn how to figure your benefits and how to keep your information current and accurate. The class will also review individual rights under the Medicare system.







info@rilaborinstitute.org | ph. 401-463-9900 | fx. 401-463-8190
99 Bald Hill Road, Suite 3, Cranston, RI 02920

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