The multi-union Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA) and the Community Social Services Employers’ Association (CSSEA) are pleased to announce the deadline extension for applications to the Community Social Services Labour Adjustment and Education Fund (LAEF).
Applications for education and training funding will now be accepted until December 31, 2025.
Details on the fund, eligibility criteria, and application forms can be found on the LAEF website.
Members who were previously denied funding because their education or training did not begin before March 31, 2025 can reapply using the LAEF online submission form, or send an email to LAEF@bcgeu.ca to have their application placed back in the queue.
What is the LAEF?
The Community Social Services Labour Adjustment and Education Fund is a joint initiative of CSSEA and CSSBA. The purpose of the LAEF is to enhance the skills of frontline community social services workers by providing relevant professional development.
It also prioritizes and offers additional support and retraining for workers impacted by layoffs, downsizing, or restructuring so workers can continue to be employed in the community social services sector.
Who can apply for funding?
The constituent unions of the CSSBA, CSSEA, employers, individuals or groups may apply for funding. Education and training must be relevant to continuing work in the community social services sector.
All applications will be reviewed by the LAEF Joint Steering Committee based on the eligibility criteria and funding amounts set out by CSSEA and CSSBA.
For a full list of eligibility criteria, check the LAEF website or please refer to the document linked below.
Applications will be reviewed on a regular, ongoing basis.
How much funding is available to me?
The following chart illustrates the maximum amount of funding available to applicants for the funding term April 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025.
If an individual or group applies for and receives a lesser amount than the maximum available, they may submit additional application(s) in the future.
| Type of Application | Maximum Amount of Funding |
| Individual | $3,000 |
| Individual impacted by layoffs, downsizing or restructuring | $5,000 |
| Group | $10,000 |
| Group impacted by layoffs, downsizing or restructuring | $15,000 |
For more information
If members have further questions not answered on the website, please email laef@bcgeu.ca.
The CSSBA represents 23,000 workers in the community social services sector, including about 1,500 HEU members.