An Intensive 5-day Training Course
Industrial Relations (IR), Employee Relations (ER) & Trade Union Harmony
Negotiation, Conflict Resolution,
and Engagement in Organisations

Course Introduction
This exciting and innovative Oxford training course will introduce you to the latest and world best practices in Industrial and Employee Relations (ER-IR), suitable for all African organisations. This course is very practical and highly rewarding. It is about the maintenance of the employment relationship, essentially how trade unions and management of an organisation interact and can cooperate to encourage capacity building.
This interactive course will provide participants with current and important information on the structure, functions and objectives of Trade Unions. It will also explore transformational IR/ER and encourage good working relationships with all stakeholders.
Industrial Relations (IR) & Employee Relations (ER) has undergone many changes over the past decade, but it continues to be a critical area for all organisations, particularly those in Africa. In the last 40 years, African trade unions and Industrial Relations (IR) Professionals have built capacity skills, especially in education, gender issues, and health issues.
Expanding on this important work, this Oxford course will highlight:
- The importance of a Management – Trade union partnership
- The employment relationship and the psychological contract
- Managing workplace conflict, mental-health first aid and workplace bullying
- Negotiation techniques that promote a win-win approach
- Ways to keep any Trade Union strategically evolving and relevant
Objectives
By the end of this Oxford course, participants will learn to:
- Develop a collaborative approach to Industrial Relations (IR) & Employee Relations (ER)
- Examine techniques for enhancing & transforming Industrial Relations (IR), Employee Relations (ER) and Trade Unionism
- Appreciate the importance of employee engagement and empowerment
- Critically analyse effective conflict resolution and workplace mediation
- Describe the emerging challenges to trade unions globally and in Africa
Training Methodology
Participants in this Oxford course will receive thorough training on the subjects covered by the course outline with the facilitator utilising a variety of proven adult learning teaching and facilitation techniques.
The course is very participatory and interactive. It involves skill practice in a group setting. Training methodology includes individual and group activities that will intersperse the sessions. A variety of practical sessions, relevant case studies, simulations, and group games and activities are programmed into this interactive course.
Organisational Impact
- An appreciation of the benefits of transformational Industrial Relations (IR), Employee Relations (ER) and Trade Unionism
- A focus on best-practices in labour and industrial relations in the African context
- Stronger labour-management relations
- Reduced time and costs spent on grievance arbitration
- Promoting and supporting collaboration in workplace negotiations
Personal Impact
- Improve your effectiveness as a trade union delegate, official or HR/IR/ER Professional
- Develop practical, transferable skills and competencies
- Better understand the future of labour and industrial relations in Africa
- Practical skills in the skills of workplace mediation
- Learn about the best ways to negotiate and minimise conflict
Who Should Attend?
This Oxford training course is suitable to a wide range of Professionals , but will greatly benefit:
- Anyone involved in Industrial Relations (IR), Employee Relations (ER) or Labour Relations
- Union Delegates and Officials
- Human Resource Management (HRM) Professionals
- Employee Relations (ER) Personnel
- Industrial Relations (IR) Personnel
- Those managers who would benefit from an understanding of trade union and IR issues
- Anyone who wants to learn practical skills in labour negotiation and workplace mediation
Course Outline
Day One
Employee, Labour & Industrial Relations in Africa
- The Context for Employee & Industrial Relations
- Trade Unionism in Nigeria - Past, Present & Future
- Survival / Relevance of Trade Unions - Tools for Engagement
- Current Global Trends in Employee & Industrial Relations
- The Changing Employment Relationship and Psychological Contract
Day Two
Negotiation Skills for Industrial Harmony
- A Win-Win Approach to Negotiation
- Stages of Negotiation
- The Coleman Raider "Bare-Bones" Model
- Exploring Competition and Cooperation
- Introduction to Reframing Techniques
Day Three
Managing Conflict and Promoting Industrial Harmony
- Resolving and Managing Conflict
- Avoiding Conflict Escalation
- Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Understanding Arbitration, Conciliation and Mediation
- Workplace Mediation Techniques and Skills
Day Four
Key 2nd Decade Issues for the Workplace
- Emerging Workplace Issues for ER / IR and Trade Unionists
- Understanding Mental Health in the Workplace
- Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Techniques
- Workplace Bullying - Analysis, Intervention and Prevention
- The Future of Work - Robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Flexible Firm
Day Five
The Tools of Engagement
- Understanding Transformational Leadership
- The Power of Empathy
- Principles of Engagement
- The Importance of Stakeholder Engagement
- Personal Action Planning
Certificate
On successful completion of this training course, Oxford Management Centre Certificate with eligible Continuing Professional Education credits (CPE) from National Registry of CPE Sponsor will be awarded to the delegates
Accreditation

In association with
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes, we provide assistance in securing both hotel reservations & entry visa on all our international training venues, for delegates attending our training courses. For further information / assistance, please contact our Customer Service at:
- Telephone: +971 50 985 0174
- E-mail: info@oxford-management.com
Yes, Oxford Management Centre is accredited by the following professional bodies;
National Association of State Board of Accountancy (NASBA)
The Oxford Management Centre is registered with NASBA as a sponsor of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. NASBA have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit.
Yes, discounts are available. For further information please call +971 50 985 0174 or email, info@oxford-management.com
Note: Discounts are not applicable with any other special offer that may be available.
All course bookings made through Oxford Management Centre are non-refundable. By registering for a course, you acknowledge and accept that fees are payable in full and are not subject to refund under any circumstances, including but not limited to participant dissatisfaction, changes in personal or professional circumstances, or partial attendance.
Oxford Management Centre reserves the right to make reasonable adjustments to course content, trainers, or schedules where necessary, without entitling delegates to a refund. Full details of each course – including objectives, target audience, and content – are clearly outlined prior to enrolment, and it is the responsibility of the delegate to ensure suitability before booking.
There are 2 easy ways to register:
- Online: Select the training course you want to register for, Click the “Book Your Place” button on the course page, complete the form and click submit.
- E-mail: Send your details to info@oxford-management.com
We request that all cancellations be made at least one week before the class start date. You may reschedule this class without any penalty. If not, a $250 fee will be charged for cancellations received less than one week before a class begins and for no-shows. Cancellation penalties and any fees incurred by Oxford Management Centre will be deducted from refunds.
For more information request, email info@oxford-management.com or call +971 50 985 0174.
The classroom training fees include course presentation, relevant materials, physical & digital documentation, lunch and refreshments served during entire training. Accommodation and transportation are not included in the training course fees.
While, online training fees cover the course presentation and digital documentation and relevant materials.
The Oxford Management Centre Certificate of Completion with corresponding CPE credits shall be awarded to delegates who has successfully completed the training course.
Payment must be received before the training course commences. You can make payment by bank draft, cash, credit card or wire transfer.
Note: If the payment is not received, Oxford Management Centre has the right to refuse admission.
Upon receipt of your registration form, we will send you the following by e-mail:
- Registration Confirmation
- Invoice/Receipt (where appropriate)
If you register online you will receive an e-mail within 24 hours confirming your registration.