Training

Training Programs at the Broadbent Institute

At the Broadbent Institute, we believe that building a stronger, more equitable and just Canada begins with empowering progressive leaders and organizers. As a leading nonprofit organization committed to supporting the labour movement, grassroots and progressive organizing, our training programs are designed to equip individuals with the skills, knowledge, and networks needed to advance social change in their communities across Canada. 

Emerging Leaders Program

Launched in 2023, the Emerging Leaders Program is the Broadbent Institute’s flagship training initiative. This program is dedicated to nurturing and developing early to mid-career organizers and leaders committed to creating a fairer and more inclusive society. This program provides a comprehensive platform for Emerging Leaders to increase their skills and capacity around progressive policies and projects in order to grow into effective changemakers.

What the Program Offers:

• Hands-On Training: Participants engage in interactive workshops and practical exercises designed to build core leadership skills, including public speaking, campaign strategy, media engagement, and coalition-building.
• Expert Guidance: The program features mentorship and guidance from experienced advocates, policy experts, and movement leaders who share their insights and lessons from the frontlines of social change.
• Collaborative Learning: Cohorts of emerging leaders create a supportive community where participants can learn from one another’s experiences and build lasting professional networks.
• A Focus on Equity: Rooted in the principles of social democracy, the curriculum emphasizes equity, inclusion, and justice, ensuring participants are equipped to address the systemic challenges facing Canadian society.

Who Should Apply?

The Emerging Leaders Program is open to individuals in the early to mid-stages of their careers who are passionate about advancing progressive values. We welcome participants from diverse backgrounds and encourage applications from historically underrepresented communities, including Indigenous peoples, racialized individuals, LGBTQ2S+ individuals, and people with disabilities.

Training at the Progress Summit

We offer specialized training workshops at our annual conference, the Progress Summit. As Canada’s largest gathering of progressive thinkers, policymakers, and activists, the Progress Summit provides a unique opportunity for participants to deepen their skills and engage with leading voices in the progressive movement.

Our training workshops at the Progress Summit are particularly valuable for movement leaders who are seeking to navigate the evolving challenges of today’s social, political, and economic landscape. These sessions are designed to equip leaders, organizers, and advocates with the tools and strategies needed to tackle today’s pressing issues and drive meaningful change. Whether in the workplace, communities, or beyond, our workshops help progressive leaders stay up-to-date with new ideas, best practices, and the latest approaches for advancing justice and equality in a rapidly changing world.

Key features of these workshops include:

• Tactical Skills Training: Participants learn and exchange new strategies, tools, and best practices for successful organizing and campaigning.
• Policy Insights: Experts provide in-depth analysis of trends and issues affecting workers in Canada, from automation and precarious employment to labour legislation and climate justice.
• Building Solidarity: The workshops emphasize coalition-building across movements, enabling leaders from labour, social justice, environmental advocacy and other fields, to find commonalities and alignments around shared goals.

A Dynamic Learning Environment

The Progress Summit’s training sessions are part of a broader program of inspiring keynotes, thought-provoking panels, and networking opportunities. Participants leave not only with enhanced skills but also with a renewed sense of purpose and connection to the broader progressive movement.

Broadbent Institute-run Workshops, Facilitation, Skills Training

The Broadbent Institute has developed a library of workshops, facilitation guides and training seminars and we’ve helped everyone from some of the biggest organizations in Canada to small up-start, grassroots coalitions convene important sessions. Topics include:

• Economics 101
• Storytelling and persuasion
• Peer-to-peer organizing
• Deep organizing conversations
• Strategic plan development
• Municipal election campaign tools
• Communication and new media skills

Ready to get started? Learn more about our programs and individualized training programs by contacting us at training@broadbentinstitute.ca. Let’s work together to shape Canada’s progressive future.

Why Choose the Broadbent Institute for Training?

The Broadbent Institute is uniquely positioned to deliver impactful training programs rooted in a vision of a better Canada. Here’s what sets us apart:

• A Legacy of Leadership: Founded by Ed Broadbent, one of Canada’s most respected political leaders, our institute continues his legacy of advocating for fairness, equality, and justice.
• Expertise in Progressive Policy: Our team and partners bring deep expertise in public policy, advocacy, and movement-building, ensuring our training programs are both relevant and forward-thinking.
• Commitment to Diversity: We prioritize inclusive programming that reflects the diversity of Canada and seeks to amplify the voices of those often excluded from leadership roles.
• National Reach: With participants and events from coast to coast to coast, our training programs are accessible to activists and leaders across the country.