Youth Inclusion in Trade Unions Training Course

Youth Inclusion in Trade Unions Training Course

Introduction

Youth inclusion in trade unions is a transformative approach to strengthening labour movements, decent work advocacy, collective bargaining power, and social justice systems in a rapidly changing global economy. With rising youth unemployment, informal employment, gig economy expansion, and workplace precarity, trade unions must evolve to actively integrate young workers into leadership structures, decision-making platforms, and negotiation processes. Youth Inclusion in Trade Unions Training Course is designed to equip stakeholders with practical tools to advance youth empowerment, union revitalization, labour rights awareness, and inclusive governance frameworks.

The course focuses on building intergenerational solidarity, union membership growth strategies, digital organizing, policy advocacy, and decent work agenda alignment. It provides participants with actionable knowledge to address barriers facing youth participation such as limited representation, lack of mentorship, and weak institutional engagement. By strengthening youth-led organizing, social dialogue, and participatory leadership models, the program aims to future-proof trade unions in line with global labour standards and sustainable development goals.

Curse Duration

5 days

Course Objectives

1. Strengthen youth participation in trade union leadership structures
2. Promote decent work and labour rights awareness among young workers
3. Enhance collective bargaining skills for youth representatives
4. Build capacity in digital union organizing and online activism
5. Develop strategies for union membership growth among youth
6. Improve understanding of international labour standards (ILO frameworks)
7. Foster intergenerational dialogue within trade unions
8. Strengthen policy advocacy and labour law engagement
9. Support youth leadership development in labour movements
10. Address challenges of the gig economy and informal labour
11. Promote gender equality and inclusive representation in unions
12. Build skills in social dialogue and negotiation techniques
13. Encourage sustainable union revitalization strategies

Target Audience

1. Young workers in formal and informal sectors 
2. Trade union youth wing leaders 
3. Labour officers and union organizers 
4. Civil society youth advocates 
5. Policy makers in labour and employment sectors 
6. NGO workers focused on labour rights 
7. Vocational training and university student leaders 
8. Social justice and community-based organization members 

Course Modules

Module 1: Foundations of Youth Inclusion in Trade Unions

• Evolution of trade unions and youth roles 
• Understanding labour rights and protections 
• Barriers to youth participation 
• Importance of union revitalization 
• Case Study: Youth-led union reforms in South Africa’s COSATU affiliates 

Module 2: Decent Work Agenda & Global Labour Standards

• ILO decent work framework 
• Youth employment challenges globally 
• Labour law basics and protections 
• Social protection systems 
• Case Study: ILO youth employment programs in Latin America 

Module 3: Youth Leadership in Trade Unions

• Leadership development pathways 
• Mentorship and succession planning 
• Decision-making structures in unions 
• Building confidence and negotiation power 
• Case Study: Youth leadership transition in UK trade union congress (TUC) 

Module 4: Digital Organizing & Online Mobilization

• Social media activism strategies 
• Digital campaigns for labour rights 
• Online membership engagement tools 
• Cyber advocacy and storytelling 
• Case Study: Gig workers’ digital unionization campaigns in India 

Module 5: Collective Bargaining & Negotiation Skills

• Basics of collective bargaining 
• Negotiation tactics for youth representatives 
• Conflict resolution strategies 
• Workplace representation skills 
• Case Study: Youth involvement in Scandinavian wage negotiations 

Module 6: Informal Economy & Gig Workers Inclusion

• Understanding informal labour dynamics 
• Rights of gig and platform workers 
• Organizing non-traditional workers 
• Policy gaps and advocacy 
• Case Study: Uber drivers’ union movements in Kenya and Nigeria 

Module 7: Gender Equality & Inclusive Unionism

• Gender mainstreaming in labour movements 
• Youth women leadership empowerment 
• Addressing workplace discrimination 
• Intersectionality in unions 
• Case Study: Women-led union reforms in Latin America garment industry 

Module 8: Policy Advocacy & Labour Movement Sustainability

• Labour policy engagement strategies 
• Building alliances with stakeholders 
• Media advocacy and storytelling 
• Sustainable union growth models 
• Case Study: Youth advocacy in European Green Deal labour policies 

Training Methodology

This course employs a participatory and hands-on approach to ensure practical learning, including:

• Interactive lectures and presentations.
• Group discussions and brainstorming sessions.
• Hands-on exercises using real-world datasets.
• Role-playing and scenario-based simulations.
• Analysis of case studies to bridge theory and practice.
• Peer-to-peer learning and networking.
• Expert-led Q&A sessions.
• Continuous feedback and personalized guidance.

Register as a group from 3 participants for a Discount

Send us an email: info@fineskilltrainingcenter.org or call +254769199797 

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a globally- recognized certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

 We also offer tailor-made courses based on your needs.

Key Notes

a. The participant must be conversant with English.

b. Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with an Authorized Training Certificate

c. Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.

d. The course fee includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch and A Certificate upon successful completion of Training.

e. One-year post-training support Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.

f. Payment should be done at least a week before commence of the training, to Fineskill Training Center account, as indicated in the invoice so as to enable us prepare better for you.