BWU launches drive to upgrade shop steward training 

The Frank Walcott Labour College has embarked on a major strategic planning initiative to overhaul how the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) prepares its shop stewards — a move aimed at equipping a new generation of worker representatives to meet the demands of today’s rapidly changing workplaces.

The BWU also enlisted the government’s workforce development programme, as several BWU representatives participated in a planning exercise that sought to shift labour education from reactive, one‑off workshops to a continuous, tiered developmental framework.

Addressing the gathering at the union’s Harmony Hall headquarters, Senator Roshanna Trim, BWU Training and Education Co‑ordinator, said that as the industrial relations landscape becomes increasingly complex due to technological change and evolving labour legislation, shop stewards require a more robust, multidimensional skill set.

Sen Trim highlighted that today’s shop stewards are expected to do far more than manage grievances. They are now tasked with interpreting complex legislative frameworks, navigating shifting organisational cultures, and engaging constructively with management in increasingly digital workplaces, she said.

“The future of labour representation demands leaders who are not only knowledgeable about established processes, but who are also adaptable, strategically minded, and technologically aware,” Sen Trim noted. “This is a deliberate strategic intervention to ensure we remain fit for purpose.”

A key component of this renewed educational drive is a deeper collaboration with the National Transformation Initiative (NTI).

NTI Assistant Director Rafael Saul joined the session to announce the relaunch of the “BWU Hub”, a dedicated platform providing shop stewards with direct access to a curated suite of professional development courses. These resources focus on “success skills” — including emotional intelligence, advanced communication, negotiation and leadership — to complement technical training.

“We want to empower shop stewards to be great representatives, but also to be ambassadors who can take these upskilling opportunities back to their own organisations,” said Saul.

The college is prioritising an inclusive approach, inviting shop stewards to provide honest, constructive feedback to shape the future of the curriculum. By placing workers at the centre of the planning process, the BWU said it aims to create a sustainable roadmap for leadership cultivation that ensures the union remains a relevant, worker‑focused force.