Frank Walcott Labour College

About Our College

The Frank Walcott Labour College is a tertiary institution in Barbados established in 1977. The college is named after Sir Frank Walcott, a prominent Barbadian trade unionist and politician who played a significant role in developing the country’s labour movement.

The idea of establishing a labour college in Barbados was first proposed in the early 1960s by the Barbados Workers Union (BWU), one of the island’s largest trade unions. However, in the late 1970s, the college was officially opened after years of planning and fundraising by the BWU and other organisations.

Its programs cover a wide range of topics, including labour history, economics, law, organisational management, and other worker-related topics.

Over the years, the College has expanded its programme offerings and forged strategic partnerships with several institutions. Most recently, between 2023 and 2025, it has collaborated with the National Transformation Initiative (NTI), the Venezuelan Institute for Culture and Cooperation, and the Confucius Institute. The College has also played a critical role in shaping the region’s labour movement, equipping generations of trade unionists and activists through education and training.

In addition to its educational programs, the college is home to several research and advocacy initiatives. These include the Frank Walcott Labour Library, which houses an extensive collection of books, journals, and other materials on labour and social justice issues, and the Social Justice Foundation, which advocates for policies and programs that promote equality and fairness in the Caribbean and beyond.

Today, the Frank Walcott Labour College remains a vital institution in the Caribbean’s labour movement, providing education and training to workers and trade unionists and promoting social justice and human rights.

College Mission

The college’s mission is to provide education and training to workers and trade unionists, with a particular emphasis on developing leadership skills and promoting social justice.

Training Programme

As always, the education and training programmes offered remain rooted in the philosophy of the Union, with a continued commitment to empowering members through knowledge in areas that affect them both as workers and as citizens.

Senator Roshanna Trim

Education and Training Coordinator

Mrs. Nicole Johnson

Administrative Assistant

Meet the team

Meet the team behind the Frank Walcott Labour College.

2025 Workshops & Courses

Our commitment to education extends beyond the workplace and into the community. In 2025, we continued to expand our partnership with the Confucius Institute at UWI Cave Hill, offering the Beginners Chinese Programme for a fourth consecutive year.

This flagship language and culture initiative welcomed participants ranging in age from 8 to 70, reflecting the union’s commitment to lifelong learning and global readiness. Beyond language acquisition, participants were introduced to Chinese calligraphy, cultural practices and food, thereby providing them with a richer appreciation of international traditions.

The programme continues to be one of our most in-demand offerings and a perfect example of how unions can be gateways to the wider world.
Beginner Chinese Class of 2023–2024 proudly holding their certificates at the graduation ceremony hosted at the Barbados Workers’ Union, in partnership with the Confucius Institute at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.
A partnership with the National Library Service’s “Make a Book Project”, where children aged 8–11 wrote original stories under the BWU theme “The Solidarity Squad,” exploring values like unity, justice, and collective effort.
Cover of “The Solidarity Squad,” a winning entry from the Make a Book Project Competition. Created by 9-year-old Ameliya Gustave of Bay Primary School, the story celebrates teamwork, fairness, and standing up for what’s right.
Figure - Inside the e-book “The Solidarity Squad,” students echo the message of the Barbados Workers’ Union: “Unity is strength!” as they stand together in a powerful show of solidarity and respect for all workers.
Reading Corner
2025 also saw a deeper commitment to youth engagement, particularly through our education-focused May Day events. Our second annual BWU May Day Reading Corner, made possible through the generous support of General Distributors, hosted over 100 children for a vibrant session of storytelling and book giveaways.
Many happy, smiling faces at the Frank Walcott Labour College Reading Corner during May Day Celebrations.
School outreach
During Graydon Sealy Secondary School’s African Awareness Week, in partnership with the Industrial Relations Department, where we introduced students to the legacy and continued relevance of the labour movement.
Training and Education Coordinator, Senator Roshanna Trim, addresses students of the Graydon Sealy Secondary School.
This empowering event for International Women’s Day brought together women from across sectors for yoga, career-building sessions, and thought-provoking discussions on leadership, self-care, and work-life balance.

These programmes reinforced a powerful idea: that dignity at work also means dignity within. When we say we bet on our workers, we mean betting on their whole selves—mental, physical, emotional, and social.
General Secretary Toni Moore highlighting the importance of promoting gender diversity in the workplace through innovative policies during her engaging session at the Women, Work and Wellness Conference in March 2025.
Moments from Women, Work and Wellness (March 2025), where participants connected through self-care and leadership sessions.