Trade union training 2026
Co-determination Knows No Language Barriers
14.11.2025 | The IG Metall education programmes for 2026 once again include offers for international colleagues. Especially for works councils, there are English-language training courses – both regionally and centrally. Because co-determination is not a matter of language.
Co-determination Knows No Language Barriers. Picture: Jörg Farys.
The IG Metall training programmes offer a wide range of seminars for active uniob members, shop stewards and works councils – practical, up-to-date and easily accessible. Because union work always means learning from and with each other.
Especially in the year of works council elections, strengthening international co-determination is important to us: English-language seminars are available both in the central programme and in the regions. This empowers colleagues who want to actively participate in workplace representation but (still) do not speak enough German for a legal seminar.
Our regional works council education programme in Berlin-Brandenburg-Saxony offers the following English-language seminars in the coming year:
- BR I – German Labour Law and Works Constitution Act – Basics
from May 5 to May 8, 2026 and from October 6 to October 9, 2026 - BR Kompakt 1 – Co-determination and works council action
also from October 6 to October 9, 2026
The nationwide training programme (pages 30 to 32) also includes the following English-language seminars, all taking place centrally in Fulda:
- BR 1 – Introduction to the duties of the works council
July 5 to July 10, 2026 (Seminar number: K00026284) - BR Kompakt 1 – Co-determination and works council action
November 8 to November 13, 2026 (Seminar number: K00026460) - BR Kompakt 2 – Personnel measures and works council action
February 14 to February 19, 2026 (Seminar number: K00027071)
For all these seminars, the employer covers the participation costs for works council members (release from work in accordance with § 37(6) of the Works Constitution Act).
In addition, there are trainings from the Berlin-Brandenburg-Saxony district for active union members. Participation is generally free of charge for IG Metall members. We are also looking for English-speaking colleagues who would like to help shape these seminars as volunteer trainers.
Registration for all seminars is handled through the local IG Metall offices. So: browse the programme, choose a seminar and help shape co-determination!