NTC Homepage > Training > Paid Educational Leave

PAIDEDUCATIONALLEAVE

UAW and Chrysler leadership get a crash course in U.S. government through the Paid Educational Leave (PEL) program. They're also armed with knowledge about the economic, technological and historical factors that have a powerful impact on the auto industry.

The national PEL program consists of two weeks. The first is held at the NTC or the Walter and May Reuther UAW Family Education Center at Black Lake, Mich., where industry experts discuss relevant issues such as labor relations, economic policy, the auto market and the changing workplace.

In the second week, participants travel to Washington, D.C., to meet with legislators from both houses and visit the UAW and Chrysler Washington bureaus. They get an in-depth look at legislation on topics such as foreign trade, health care reform, environmental regulations and fair labor standards.

How do I sign up?

UAW elected or appointed leadership and their Chrysler management counterparts are eligible to participate in the national PEL program. Locations are chosen for participation on a rotating basis. For information about upcoming sessions, contact Delbert Nelson or Dorothy Jett-Carter at the NTC.

National PEL participants gathered in Washington, D.C., in March, 2006. Click on the picture to "supersize" it.

Local and Regional PEL

In order to make the PEL available to more people, the NTC also presents Local PEL and Regional PEL. Local PEL is geared to workers at a single plant, while the Regional PEL draws workers from several nearby facilities.

The one-week programs cover the same topics as the national PEL, but special emphasis is placed on issues particular to the region. Participants also have an opportunity to meet with locally elected officials and learn about legislation that directly affects their plants and communities.