LIUNA has had a long-term relationship with the National Labor College (NLC), formerly known as the George Meany Center for Labor Studies. The fundamental mission of the NLC is to serve the higher education needs and desires of working men and women and their union representatives. GMC-NLC offers a Bachelor's Degree program with a choice of concentration in seven areas of labor studies. Master's Degrees in Public Administration and Legal and Ethical Studies are offered in cooperation with the University of Baltimore. A graduate certificate in Labor and Employment Policy is offered in cooperation with the University of Maryland in College Park.

The Laborers’ Union has entered into a partnership agreement with the NLC whereby many of its leadership education programs have been approved for college credit, including classes in the Education Department’s Leadership Education series, as well as some classes in the Public Employee Department Academy and the Organizing Department. The current (2008) charge for credits that are taught by LIUNA staff is $50.00/credit.

In addition to the college degree program, the National Labor College offers many continuing education classes that are of use to union leaders. In 2008, they are offering a multitude of union skills courses which target a broad spectrum of the needs and wants of union leaders.The NLC has launched a new cutting-edge union education tool called the Open Learning Course (OLC) program. The OLC is offered free and is a self-directed, web-based learning activity that offers opportunities for union members, leaders, activists and staff to study new topics of interests and improve their current understanding of the labor movement.

The UALE website provides union leaders and members with additional information on various educational institutions that offer labor degree and certificate programs. Many of these programs, such as the Cornell Labor Studies Program, and the California Union Leadership School offer a certificate upon completion that can be applied towards a National Labor College Bachelor’s Degree.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst offers two Master's degree programs in Labor Studies. They include both a traditional graduate program for young activists and a limited-residency program for union leaders and activists already working in the labor movement.

The Capital Stewardship Certificate Program is a four-course trustee education program developed jointly by the National Labor College and the Center for Working Capital. The program is offered by the NLC. Participants earn a Capital Stewardship Certificate upon completion of all four courses, and can earn college credit by completing additional written assignments. These courses can be tailored to meet specific needs of a pension fund or group of funds through the use of case studies and classroom exercises that deal with specific issues the course participants are likely to face.