Please read the following information before completing the application.
Overview of criteria to be eligible for funding
- An applicant must be a regular employee (full-time or part-time); or a casual employee who has completed the probationary period with their primary Employer in accordance with Section 11 (1) of the Casual Addendum and Article 13-Probationary Period 13.03. (that is completed 488 hours prior to the start of the program or application date, whichever is sooner) An applicant must be actively working in a facility covered by the facilities subsector collective agreement.
- The training/education must be to upgrade skills in their current job, related job, or other job classification (if training is in a different job category) within the facilities subsector. For a list of job classifications, please go to Facilities and click on the Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA) collective agreement link. The list begins on page 180 of this document.
- An applicant must attend a public training institution for the training. See a list of public post-secondary institutions in B.C.
- The majority of the training must occur between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2025 (the term of the collective agreement) and the union must receive and process the application before the funding is exhausted
Short-term training
Short-term training provides members with opportunities to upgrade skills in their current job, related job, or other job classification (if training is in a different job category within the facilities subsector).
This includes:
- courses that require between two to 20 days of in-class or practicum time. This could also be a part-time program that requires up to 150 hours of in-class time. Distance training is also eligible under these guidelines.
- longer courses taken outside of working hours (i.e. part-time or correspondence courses, evening classes, etc.).
- applications will be funded on a continuous intake basis.
- the Fund will pay the cost of the training program and course materials, up to a maximum of $1,200 (per person for all short-term training funded).
- part-time/distance programs leading to a certificate, diploma or degree – that if available and taken full-time would require more than 20 days of in-class or practicum time – may be eligible for up to $2,400 (per person for all extended short-term training funded) for course costs (i.e. Purchasing Management Association of Canada, Medical Transcription, Nursing Unit Clerk).
- the Fund will pay a training allowance ($125 per day) to a maximum of 20 days (150 hours) for occasions where attendance is required. This includes class time, practicum, labs, exams etc.
- if unpaid education leave for these days is approved by the employer (for example: 10 days of approved unpaid leave could be $1,250 for an employee working full-time hours). Casual employees attending training may submit payroll proof of 488 hours and shifts worked in the six months prior to the application date or start of training, whichever is sooner to be eligible for the training allowance. (i.e. for an application dated July 1, 2023, proof of hours and shifts worked from January 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023 must be provided).
Please note: Casuals are eligible for a maximum combination of five training allowance days/shifts worked per week (pay stubs required for verification of all training allowance claimed)
For example, if a member attended an instructor led in-person/online class or practicum Monday to Friday and also picked up shifts Saturday and Friday, the maximum eligible training allowance would be calculated as follows: three eligible training allowance days plus two days of shifts worked, resulting in a total maximum combination of five days for training allowance and shifts worked. The training allowance is not eligible when members attend class/practicum and worked on the same day.
Examples of short-term training:
- industry correspondence courses offered for buyers and information technologists
- evening academic upgrading, such as pre-requisites for diploma programs
- upgrade for ticketed trades
Long-term training
Long-term training provides members with opportunities to change jobs/careers within the facilities subsector collective agreement.
These courses require more than 20 days (150 hours) of in-class and/or practicum time or other required attendance.
The Fund will pay a training allowance ($125 per day) for training where more than 20 days (150 hours) for occasions where attendance is required. This includes class time, practicum, labs, exams, etc.
At this time, applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis. Future deadlines will be announced dependent on availability of funds.
Examples of long-term training:
- Housekeeper to Nursing Assistant
- Food Services Worker to Pharmacy Technician
- Accounting Clerk to Nursing Unit Clerk
The Fund will pay up to $10,000 (per person for all long-term training funded) for the cost of the training program and course materials.
The Fund will pay a training allowance of $125 per day for unpaid education leave approved by your employer to attend in-class or practicum training days (to a maximum 238 days per person for all long-term training funded). For example: five days per week of approved leave could be $2,500 a month for an employee working full-time hours.
Casual employees, who may miss work due to training, will need to submit payroll proof of 488 hours and shifts worked in the six months prior to the date of their application or the start of their training whichever is sooner to be eligible for the training allowance. (i.e., application date March 30, 2023; proof of hours and shifts worked from October 1, 2022 – March 30, 2023).
Please Note: Casuals are eligible for a maximum combination of five training allowance days/shifts worked per week. Pay stubs are required for verification of all training allowance claimed.
For example, if a member attended an instructor led in-person/online class or practicum Monday to Friday and also picked up shifts Saturday and Sunday, the maximum eligible training allowance would be calculated as follows: three eligible training allowance days plus two days of shifts worked, resulting in a total maximum combination of five days for training allowance and shifts worked. Training allowance is not eligible when members attend class/practicum and worked on the same day.
- Where can training be taken?
The course/program should be taken at a British Columbia public post-secondary college or institute or a B.C. School District Continuing/Adult Education program. Some distance training at out-of-province public institutions may be eligible.
One exemption would be courses for industry-specific required certification, such as:
- Purchasing Agent certification course
- Information Technology hardware or software certification course
- Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) certificate in the HVAC/Refrigeration industry
- What approval or proof of taking the course do I need?
- Confirmation of Employee Status Form: The Confirmation of Employee Status section of the form MUST be completed and submitted with ALL applications (even if leave is not required) to be considered for the FBA Education Fund.
- Registration: There must be written proof from the institution of course registration/acceptance and/or a confirmed start and end date for the training. This also needs to be submitted with the FBA Education Fund Application Form.
- What is the training allowance for?
The training allowance is to help with living expenses while members are on unpaid leave during training. Casual employees are eligible for the training allowance based on the information above.
The training allowance may be used for transportation, benefits, daily expenses, etc.
- Will any benefits be covered?
Some health authorities have indicated they are prepared to consider maintaining benefits. Members should request continued coverage from their employer. Benefits remain covered for the first 20 days of leave. If the health authority will not continue benefits after 20 days, a member may purchase benefits (approximately $20 per day); members should speak to their payroll/benefits department.
- What training/education will not be covered?
- conferences and professional association meetings
- self-help, personal interest and leisure courses
- courses leading to jobs outside the FBA bargaining unit
- out-of-country courses
- out-of-province courses (except correspondence)
- courses through private educational institutions
- training for which the majority of the course does not occur within the eligible funding period
Upon exhaustion of the funds, neither the program/course nor training allowance will be funded.
- How do I apply?
Download and fill out the PDF application form on the FBA Education Fund page. You may fill it out online using Acrobat, or print and fill out by hand.
If all your supporting documents are in digital form, you may email the application to FBAEducationFund@heu.org.
If any of your supporting documents are in paper form, you must mail or fax your entire application.
Mail to:
FBA Education Fund
c/o 5000 North Fraser Way
Burnaby, B.C. V5J 5M3Fax: 604-739-1510
We cannot accept a combination of paper and digital documents.
If you do not have access to a printer, and want a printed copy of the application form mailed to you, email FBAEducationFund@heu.org.
- How is the decision about funding made?
The FBA Education Fund has set the criteria for the funding application process. The FBA Education Fund Administrator will review each application, apply the rules, and a decision will be made on the funding.
- If a funding application is denied, is there an appeal process?
Yes, an appeal process is in place. Any denial decision that is based on the current criteria is non-appealable. This may include any priorities set by the Fund throughout the period of the current contract.
If you were denied for any other reason that you would like to appeal, please contact Fund Administrator at FBAEducationFund@heu.org and your appeal will be brought forward to the FBA Education Fund Appeal Subcommittee.
- Can I apply for both short-term and long-term funding types?
A member may be eligible for funding one time each for short-term and long-term funding.
- Can a member apply and receive funding for each training type (short-term, long-term) more than once?
A member may submit a second-time application, but priority will be given to eligible first-time applicants. Second-time applications will only be considered if there are funds remaining after all eligible first-time applicants have been funded. Historically, funds have been exhausted before the end of the funding period, making funding for second-time applicants unlikely.