2026 - New Representatives
08/24/2026
Class is Monday through Friday. Class times are generally 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. | Participants will learn about the SMART Constitution, constitutional obligations, labo(u)r law, time management, conflict resolution, charges and trials, decertification and raiding, collective and national agreements, jurisdictional issues, and the structure and function of the International and its funds. Set within a dynamic simulation, participants are assigned to one of six fictional locals—half facing decertification and half emerging from trusteeship with elections looming. Through an evolving storyline, they’ll navigate unresolved member issues at Coleman Sheet Metal or Daniel HVAC, switching between the roles of union officials and members in interactive exercises. As the week progresses, each local will uncover hidden challenges they must solve to avoid decertification or win their upcoming election, tying class content directly to real-world problem-solving.

2026 - Strategic/Pressure Organizing
09/14/2026
Class is Monday through Friday. Class times are generally 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. | This class teaches participants how to strategically disrupt companies performing work under SMART’s trade jurisdiction through targeted pressure campaigns. Participants explore core tactics such as strategic planning, SWOT analysis, and pressure tools, then apply those concepts in daily group exercises using research on real companies. Each day features head-to-head group competitions, with participants evaluated by their peers on contribution and effectiveness. The class concludes with participants developing and presenting a campaign plan for a company they researched prior to attending.

2026 - New Business Managers
10/05/2026
Class is Monday through Friday. Class times are generally 8:00 a. | This five-day leadership course equips new Business and Regional Managers with the strategic and practical tools needed to lead their locals into a stronger future. The class emphasizes proactive problem-solving, leadership accountability, and the development of Strategic Action Plans (SAPs). Through sessions on leadership principles, time management, decision-making, constitutional duties, legal compliance, organizing strategies, and community engagement, Managers gain the skills to manage daily operations, staff, and union growth effectively. Interactive exercises and peer collaboration drive home the importance of inclusive leadership, strong governance, and strategic planning. The week concludes with each participant presenting a customized SAP tailored to their local’s needs and goals. This class is only for Business Managers with priority in this class being given to newly elected Business and Regional Managers.

2026 - Labor/Labour History Train-the-Trainer
11/03/2026
Class is Tuesday through Thursday. Class times are generally 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. | This class will explore the rich history of labo(u)r struggles, key legislative milestones, and the evolving roles of unions in shaping the workplace and broader social policies. The history of SMART, including all crafts and varieties of work represented by our members, will be placed into the context of the broader fight for workers’ rights in the United States and Canada. As fewer of our new members come from union backgrounds today, this class will help build a spirit of trade unionism within our organization to help move it forward.