This article attempts do retrive and rebuild the propositions and initiatives of professional education promoted by Brazilian unions and labor movements. It starts with a brief background to demonstrate that the practise of professional education is not something new. Secondly, the article presents an overview of the activities carried out by the unions of the axis Rio de Janeiro/São Paulo, emphasizing the conceptions and projects of the Conselho das Escolas de Trabalhadores (Workers Educational Council) and the union representations CUT and FS. Finally the article analises the synergy inherent to the work of the unions and their participation in institutional foruns of debate and management of public policies of professional education