Sunday, 5th September 2010



Graduation
Class of 2009

Workers' College

Saturday 27 March 2010

Rich Turner Students Union Hall

UKZN

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The most potent weapon
in the hands of the oppressors
is the mind of the oppressed.

Stephen Bantu Biko,
Speech in Cape Town, 1971

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Home Programmes Diploma courses Diploma Programme
Diploma Programme PDF Print E-mail
Wednesday, 11 June 2008 15:15
There are currently three diploma programmes being housed at Workers' College:
  • Labour Studies Diploma (LSD),
  • Labour Economics Diploma (LED)
  • Political & Social Development Diploma (PSDD)
Labour Studies Diploma (LSD)

The LSD was and still is the most popular of the three diplomas, primarily because it is a skills-based diploma that equips trade unionists with the necessary hands-on skills that they require at the workplace.   Its focus is that of labour law and industrial relations in a trade union context.

Labour Economics Diploma (LED)

The LED is a knowledge-based diploma that offers insights into the workings of the global political economic spectrum and its impact on the trade union movement today. It also has a particular focus on the understanding of economic concepts, the challenges of globalisation, the political scenario within which communities exist and developing strategies around these issues.

Political and Social Development Diploma (PSDD)

The PSDD was structured at three levels, a) to understand political concepts and theory ie examining ‘left’ political economy theories, b) analyzing and exploring practical ways of the application of political theories and c) implementing programmes/projects/initiatives that would test these theories.

Gender and Labour Studies Diploma (GLSD)

The fourth diploma will start in the last quarter of this year.  This will be the Gender and Labour Studies Diploma (GLSD) which will have the following focus:

  • Engage with the concept of gender, its interpretation and application in a number of local, national and continental situations
  • Explore the development of Gender Policies and practices, their relevance and their impact
  • Critically reflect on the role of women within organizations, communities and society
  • Reflect on the role of women within organizations, communities and society
  • Reflect on the role of women, their leadership qualities and the barriers that impede their development
  • Examine the role of women in workplaces their exploitation and oppression, and embark on pilot projects and assignments to advance this approachand this accreditation has the effect of admitting students to study for a Social Science degree (Industrial and Working Life Programme) or serve as an accredited university course.

There are six (6) modules or courses in each Diploma, and tuition in these courses are offered in block-form, meaning one week, every three months.

This has resulted in the courses being residential. There are three blocks /terms, and two modules / courses are offered each block /term. Assessments of performance range from attendance & commitment, project work, to written examinations. The Diplomas are accredited by the Universities of KwaZulu- Natal. The accreditation has the effect of admitting students to study for a social science degree, or serves as an accredited university course.

Participants from trade unions and community organizations are invited to apply to come onto these programs but have to secure their own paid time off from employment, pay a nominal fee, and commit themselves to the whole year of study, one week every three months starting in February/March and finishing off in at the end  of October/November.

Why does Workers'College Run Diploma Courses for Trade Unionists?

The Diplomas are accredited by the University of KwaZulu-Natal, each with moderated examination question papers.

As the mission of Workers' College can broadly be described as contributing to the educational practices that sustain the participatory and critical learning processes in a working class society as well as developing programmes and initiatives that contribute to a more equitable society, it is against this backdrop and the fact that the diplomas are the primary programmes of the college, are they designed with the following aims:

Equip trade unionists with the necessary skills to deal with a range of issues at the workplace i.e. to develop capacities within the trade union movement
  • To attempt to re-kindle ardent worker participation and workplace democracy.
  • To foster a sound understanding of the political, economic and social arenas that impact on the labour movement
  • To redeem our role as social change agents and challenge the status quo and oppressive system that hinders the development of an equitable and just society.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 07 October 2009 09:43