Learning Opportunities
Photo Credit: Vancouver Island University
Learning To view the current list of offerings, click on Learning Calendar.
Please note: PSEA's learning opportunities are intended solely for excluded employees from our member institutions.
PSEA’s learning opportunities support excluded staff across British Columbia's post-secondary institutions in navigating labour relations, human resources, and leadership in a unionized environment.
Workshops are available online or in person and are led by experts in law, labour, human resources, and conflict resolution. The information below outlines PSEA’s current workshop offerings and scheduled dates.
Following the workshop listings, you will find learning roadmaps designed to help both leaders of academic employees and leaders of unionized staff employees identify the workshops that will best support their leadership development.
For the most up-to-date workshop schedule and registration information, please visit our Learning Calendar.
Contract Language and Interpretation (March 2, 2027)
Teaches the principles behind interpreting collective agreements using language, bargaining history, and past practice.
Labour Relations Essentials (see upcoming dates below)
Foundational 2-day in-person or 3-part online workshop for new leaders or those new to the sector. Covers labour legislation, management-union roles and responsibilities, grievances, and discipline.
- Virtual ( 3 half days: October 23, 30 and November 6, 2026)
- In-Person (2 full days: January 21-22, 2027)
- Virtual (3 half days: February 11,18 and 25, 2027)
Progressive Discipline and Principles of Performance Management (see upcoming dates below)
A two-half-day online refresher on discipline principles. Learn to manage culpable and non-culpable behaviour and apply progressive discipline.
Overview of the Grievance Process (April 7 & 8, 2027)
An Online workshop exploring grievance types, roles, and steps. Ideal for HR and managers seeking to manage grievances effectively.
Overview of the Investigation Process (April 1, 2027)
Half-day online workshop covering when and how to initiate legally sound workplace investigations.
Build Foundational Coaching and Influencing Skills (4 half-day sessions: November 3,10,17 & 24, 2026)
This interactive workshop helps post-secondary leaders and HR professionals build coaching and influencing skills to lead effectively in complex environments. Participants gain practical tools to strengthen communication, navigate challenging conversations, and foster trust and team performance.
Conducting a Workplace Investigation (April 13 & 14, 2027)
In-person two-day workshop with hands-on practice in preparing for and conducting interviews, assessing credibility, and general principles and guidelines to protect positive workplace relationships.
Critical Conversations: Leading in a Unionized Workplace (Dates: TBD)
In-person one-day workshop designed to strengthen communication, feedback, and conflict resolution in labour environments.
Essentials of Inclusive Leadership-Lead Yourself First (October 20-22, 2026)
In partnership with JIBC, this three-day program guides participants through reflective leadership assessments, diverse perspectives, and practical strategies to build inclusive, values-driven leadership.
Facilitating Repair After a Labour Relations Process (Dates: TBD)
Two-day workshop to support relationship repair following investigations and grievances using restorative strategies.
Facilitating Change Series (see dates listed below)
The series prepares leaders for organizational transitions, legal implications, and peer-supported learning.
A three-part online program:
- Session 1: Leading Through Instability - Managing Conversations about Change (January 12, 2027)
- Session 2: The Labour Relations Overlay – What People Leaders need to know about Change (January 26, 2027)
- Session 3: Open Dialogue and Expert Feedback on Institutional Challenges (February 9, 2027)
Foundations of Collaborative Conflict Resolution (October 6-8, 2026)
Three-day online workshop in partnership with JIBC to build self-awareness, examine conflict dynamics, and practice dialogue skills.
Job Description Writing Fundamentals (October 20, 2026)
This workshop is designed for people leaders, human resources professionals, and compensation practitioners in post-secondary institutions who want to strengthen their understanding of how to write clear, effective, and meaningful job descriptions.
Labour Relations Program for Academic Leaders (November 30 - December 3, 2026)
An intensive cohort program for Deans, Directors, and other leaders managing instructional employees. Combining in-person and online sessions to explore legal frameworks, collective agreements, and impact when managing unionized employees, performance management, including difficult conversations and providing feedback, and relationship-building in excluded roles.
Leading through Complexity in BC Post-Secondary
A practical three-part online leadership series designed for BC post-secondary leaders navigating uncertainty, difficult decisions, and institutional strain. Participants will build skills in adaptive leadership, systems thinking, and values-based decision-making to lead effectively, foster trust, and move their teams forward in complex and evolving conditions.
- Session 1: Seeing the Whole Picture: Developing a Systems-Thinking Lens for Challenges (November 12, 2026)
- Session 2: Deciding Well in a Grey Zone: Making Good Decisions When the Path isn't Clear (November 19, 2026)
- Session 3: Leading From Where You Stand (November 26, 2026)
Mediation Fundamentals (November 24-26, 2026)
In partnership with the Justice Institute of BC, this three-day course builds the skills to confidently facilitate conflict conversations between two parties. Learn how to guide a collaborative, mediative process from pre-meetings to agreements, while managing emotions and communication with clarity and purpose.
Important Note: We recommend that participants take Foundations of Collaborative Conflict Resolution before taking this course.
Navigating Challenging Conversations (November 17-18, 2026)
Two-part online workshop to plan and deliver difficult conversations with tact, clarity, and respect.
Navigating Intense Emotions During Conflict (October 27-29, 2026)
In partnership with the Justice Institute of BC, this three-day course equips you with evidence-based tools to manage intense emotions in yourself and respond effectively to them in others. Through practical exercises, you will build self-awareness and skills to stay grounded, defuse high-emotion situations, and support collaborative conflict resolution.
Rebuilding Teams: Leading Through and After Change (see dates listed below)
This three-part workshop series equips post-secondary leaders with practical tools to rebuild team effectiveness following organizational change. Participants will learn strategies to restore trust, clarify roles and expectations, strengthen collaboration, and navigate workload and accountability. Across the series, leaders will apply practical frameworks to their own teams and leave with actionable strategies for creating healthy, sustainable ways of working.
Bargaining Academy (Dates: TBD)
A three-day simulation-based program providing hands-on experience in preparing and participating in bargaining.
Fundamentals of the Collective Bargaining Process (September 24, 2026)
An online workshop introducing participants to process of collective bargaining, committees, roles, and best practices in BC's post-secondary sector.
AI in the Workplace: Foundations, Opportunities & Labour Relations Implications
Provides a practical introduction to artificial intelligence, including how machine learning, large language models, and Generative AI work, and how AI is transforming today’s workplaces. Participants will explore real-world applications, ethical and labour implications, and best practices for using AI responsibly in their roles, teams, and organizations.
BC Sexual Violence Legislation: What it Means for Your Institution (Dates: TBD)
Gain clarity on new legislative requirements for sexual violence training and what they mean for your institution. Explore practical tools and supports available to help you meet your obligations with confidence.
Estoppel: Managing Past Practices and Promises (Dates: TBD)
Explores the use of estoppel notices to manage legacy practices and maintain contract integrity.
How BC Post-Secondary Institutions Can Save on Legal Fees (Dates: TBD)
This practical session explores how BC post-secondary institutions can effectively manage litigation costs without increasing legal risk. Participants will learn practical strategies to streamline internal processes, organize key documents and timelines, and make informed decisions that help control legal expenses while maintaining strong oversight of outcomes.
Navigating Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom in BC’s Public Post-Secondary Sector (Dates: TBD)
Gain legal insight into balancing inclusive learning environments with academic freedom in this timely webinar with Harris & Co., featuring discussion and Q&A.
Navigating Freedom of Expression, Hate Speech and Academic Freedom (Dates: TBD)
Explore the legal complexities of balancing academic freedom with hate speech policies in post-secondary settings, featuring expert insights and Q&A.
Q&A Playbook (Dates: TBD)
PSEA has partnered with The Humphrey Group to deliver the Q&A Playbook, a workshop designed to help post-secondary leaders navigate challenging conversations during a period of significant sector disruption. Participants will learn a practical, repeatable approach to responding to difficult questions with clarity and confidence. Through guided practice, they build skills to manage emotions, stay on message, and ensure others feel heard and understood.
University and College Governance and Labour Relations (Dates: TBD)
Examines the intersection of institutional governance with collective agreement enforcement and dispute resolution.
WorkSafeBC Series (Dates: TBD)
Includes two online offerings:
- Dealing with Occupational Injury or Illness
- Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace
Find the Right Workshops for Your Role
Use the roadmaps below to explore suggested workshop sequences for leaders of academic employees and leaders of unionized staff employees. These pathways are designed to help you build the knowledge and skills needed to lead effectively within the post-secondary sector.
Option 1
Labour Relations Program for Academic Leaders (4-day in-person program)
Option 2
Labour Relations Essentials (In-Person: 2 days or Virtual: 3 half-days)
Option 3 (The following 4-course virtual series in lieu of taking Labour Relations Essentials.)
- Progressive Discipline and Principles of Performance Management (2 half-days)
- Overview of the Grievance Process (2 half-days)
- Overview of the Investigation Process (half-day)
- Contract Language and Interpretation (half-day)
Additional Recommended Workshops in suggested sequence:
- Foundations of Collaborative Conflict (facilitated by JIBC)
- Navigating Challenging Conversations (facilitated by JIBC) - optional
- Facilitating Change Series (facilitated by PSEA)
- Leading in Times of Complexity (facilitated by PSEA)
- Rebuilding Teams: Leading Through and After Change (facilitated by PSEA)
- Essentials of Inclusive Leadership (facilitated by JIBC)
- Coaching & Influencing Part 1 (facilitated by Essential Impact)
- Mediation Fundamentals (facilitated by JIBC)
- Facilitating Repair After a Labour Relations Process (facilitated by PSEA)
Option 1
Labour Relations Essentials (In-Person: 2 days or Virtual: 3 half-days)
Option 2 (The following 4-course virtual series in lieu of taking Labour Relations Essentials.)
- Progressive Discipline and Principles of Performance Management (2 half-days)
- Overview of the Grievance Process (2 half-days)
- Overview of the Investigation Process (half-day)
- Contract Language and Interpretation (half-day)
Additional Recommended Workshops in suggested sequence:
- Foundations of Collaborative Conflict (facilitated by JIBC)
- Critical Conversations: Leading in a Unionized Environment (facilitated by PSEA) or Navigating Challenging Conversations (facilitated by JIBC)
- Facilitating Change Series (facilitated by PSEA)
- Leading in Times of Complexity (facilitated by PSEA)
- Rebuilding Teams: Leading Through and After Change (facilitated by PSEA)
- Essentials of Inclusive Leadership (facilitated by JIBC)
- Coaching & Influencing Part 1 (facilitated by Essential Impact)
- Mediation Fundamentals (facilitated by JIBC)
- Facilitating Repair After a Labour Relations Process (facilitated by PSEA)
Don't see a date that works for you?
If there's a course you're interested in but no upcoming session is currently scheduled, please reach out to us at learning@psea.bc.ca to express your interest. We'll do our best to offer a future session that meets demand.
Customized Training
To book customized training for your team or institution, visit our Customized Training Page to learn how.
Learning Calendar
Ready to explore the current schedule? View the Learning Calendar.