Skill to Win 2026 Workshop

Working families in California and throughout the country and world face serious, ongoing challenges. As the wealthiest get wealthier, corporations post record profits, and legal attacks on basic rights continue, workers are struggling with stagnating wages and an ever-rising cost of living. Millions face housing insecurity, eviction, and even homelessness, and retirement is out of reach for many older workers. Workers face dangerous conditions, short staffing, and discrimination in their workplaces. Building worker power is as necessary and urgent as ever and support for unions is at record-high levels. At the same time, efforts to make it harder for workers and communities of color to organize and exercise power are ramping up. Unions and community organizations must work smarter and more strategically to organize against these threats and win dignity and economic justice on and off the job.

https://youtu.be/ITQ96JIWvBA?si=i0Gfyl0odoyYkB4d

Why does this training matter now?

To rise to the immense challenges ahead, organizations must double down on organizing to build worker power. The Skills to Win Workshop is a six-week series aimed at developing fundamental organizing skills. It is intended for rank-and-file members and staff of unions, worker associations, worker centers, and community organizations that are embarking on, or in the midst of, organizing campaigns. Organizing workers, their families, and their entire communities will be the focus over the six weeks we spend together.

Professional Development Opportunities

Once a week for two hours on Zoom, Skills to Win will focus on how to build high participation organizations, including how to:

• Identify organic leaders who can move your base

• Have successful organizing conversations

• Chart the workplace, neighborhood, or any other collective structure

• Integrate structure tests into your campaign or organizing plan

• Organize within your workplace and the community to build more resilient working-class communities

  
  

Skills to Win is role play, exercise, and practice-oriented. Each week will consist of an opening plenary with a variety of lectures, fishbowl discussions, and presentations from different labor and community organizers. Participants will have time in breakout groups with their organizations (and sometimes across organizations) to work together on exercises and on their specific campaigns. In addition, there will be practical homework in between sessions that advances existing or planned campaigns. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about strategies and tactics across sectors and types of organizations. By the end of the course, each group will develop a plan for a campaign that puts their new skills into action.

Access to Resources

JCAE also provides a wealth of resources that teachers can utilize in their classrooms. These resources include:

• Lesson Plans and Teaching Materials: JCAE offers a repository of lesson plans that align with current educational standards, making it easier for teachers to find relevant content.

• Research and Best Practices: Educators can access research articles and case studies that highlight effective teaching practices and innovative approaches to learning.

• Networking Opportunities: JCAE hosts events and forums where teachers can connect with peers, share experiences, and collaborate on projects.

  
  

Who, What, When, Where: The Essential Details

• Who: A group of at least 20 people. Because organizing is a team endeavor, not a solo sport, bring your team! One member of your group must serve as a group coordinator before and throughout the workshop.*

  
  

• What: Skills to Win is a hands-on, participatory course led by experienced trainers who have practiced the methods they teach! Participants role play, discuss, and make concrete plans to put their newly-learned skills into action in their own organizations. Classes include a main plenary with a presentation, and time in breakout groups (both with your own organization and across organizations).

  
  

• When: Six Thursday evenings on September 10, 17, 24, October 1, 8, and 15, from 5:00-7:00 pm Pacific / 8:00-10:00 pm Eastern

  
  

• Where: On Zoom! The workshop Zoom link will be provided upon acceptance to the program. All participants should have their own Zoom accounts.

  
  

• Course Fee: $1,500 per organization to send a team of 20 or more participants. A limited number of scholarships are available.

  
  

• Language: The training will be provided in English and Spanish using simultaneous interpretation. All written materials will be provided in both languages. Teams with monolingual Spanish speakers must have a group coordinator who can facilitate breakout exercises in Spanish.

  
  

• Registration Deadline: Tuesday, August 11, 2026. Once accepted, each group’s coordinator will receive via email the course manual and logistical information for the program.

*Setting Up Your Team

Organizing is a team endeavor, not a solo sport. For this reason, we require organizations to create a team of at least 20 people in order to register for this training. In addition, organizations need to designate at least one group coordinator to lead exercises in their group. Organizations may send as many participants as they would like, provided there is at least one group coordinator for each group of 20. Group Coordinators will attend a one-hour orientation prior to the workshop to learn their role, review the sessions, and learn best practices for using Zoom, leading discussions, and facilitating the breakout sessions. Anyone can serve as a group coordinator if they are committed, well-organized, and have access to a pro-level Zoom or other paid video conferencing account. If your team is planning to have monolingual Spanish-speaking participants, you must have a group coordinator who can communicate course logistics and facilitate breakout exercises in Spanish. We will provide the Spanish materials and Spanish interpretation in the main sessions. Find out more about being a group coordinator.

The workshop will be led by Katie Miles and Danielle Mahones of the Labor Center. It will be offered in English and Spanish.

For more information, contact: Elizabeth Avila, eavilaa@berkeley.edu with “Fall Skills to Win” in the subject line.

Download the workshop flyer | View flyer alt text.

Accessibility

If you or a prospective participant require an accommodation to fully participate in this workshop, please contact Elizabeth Avila at 661-748-7177 or eavilaa@berkeley.edu with as much advance notice as possible and at least 14 days in advance of the start of the workshop.