Academies
National PELRA Labor Relations Academy & Certification Program (CLRP®)
The National PELRA Labor Relations Certification Program (CLRP®), is an innovative certificate designed specifically for public sector labor relations and human resources professionals who are new to the field as well as for the experienced practitioner seeking additional training. In order to attain the prestigious CLRP® designation, you must complete the three Core Academies (Academy I, Academy II and Academy III, in any order) and take the multiple-choice exam or write a paper.
This unique four-step program leads to the Professional Certification as a Certified Labor Relations Professional (CLRP®).
Academy I: The Foundation of Labor Relations
Academy I provides participants with the resources to achieve a better understanding of the basic principles and practices of labor relations. Through lively workshops and interactive exercises, participants sharpen their knowledge of "The Duty to Bargain", "Good Faith Bargaining", "The Scope of Bargaining", "The Profile of an Excellent Negotiator", and writing important contract clauses. Participants will be given tools to assist them in preparing and organizing for bargaining and also enforcing and administering the resulting collective bargaining agreement. An overview of comparative negotiating processes illustrates various approaches to bargaining and tips for success.
Academy II: The Grievance Arbitration Process
Academy II teaches participants about the role of arbitration in union-management relations from the perspective of the practitioner, the arbitrator, and the advocate. This workshop addresses responding to a grievance, rules of contract administration and how and when to raise the question of arbitrability. Participants will draft a response to a grievance and learn how to improve their skills in preparing and presenting a winning case. Interactive exercises throughout the day in choosing an arbitrator and selecting witnesses are designed to build expertise. The last exercise of the Academy, based of videos and facts of the case, you get to be the arbitrator and determine the ruling.
Academy III: The Negotiations Process
Academy III focuses on the negotiation process through classroom teaching as well as a negotiation simulation involving economics, reclassification and benefit issues that give participants an opportunity to sharpen their skills. For the negotiations simulation, the class is divided into management and union teams. This interactive workshop on thorny problems and issues such as the timing of settlements, impasse strategies and multi-year contracts precedes the simulation and debriefing. Finally, a discussion on "The Perspective of the Negotiator" rounds out the day from a management panel.
Electives
In addition to our certification program, National PELRA offers elective academies that focus on specific issues within the public sector labor relations profession. Elective academies are not a required part of the CLRP® process but are an opportunity to further advance your career in the field of Labor Relations and Human Resources. View the different Academies available here.
Not A Member?
While attending the Labor Relations Academies you can also earn HRCI recertification credit hours!
Cost:
- Member: $175
- Non-Member: $350