Professional Development for staff union, MLA union and non-union employees

Updateded September 2019

Purpose

Professional development funds are intended for educational and training development expenses that help in job advancement or promotion. Departmental training or job related skill development which is required to do your current job should normally be paid for with College training funds.

What's Covered

Courses, workshops, training, conferences, seminars (including registration fees, travel, lodging and food). Books, videos and other educational media may also be purchased if related to professional development. Resources available at the College (e.g. course, seminars, etc.) should be utilized first. Employees shall be allowed to use up to $200 of their professional development benefit for technical equipment, except cell phones, so long as their supervisor and those in his/her chain of command, including the CFO, determine that such equipment is necessary for the employee’s performance of his/her job. Technical equipment may only be approved once every three years for each employee.

Approval Process

All requests must be in writing and submitted at least 30 workdays in advance of the beginning date of the development need. The requests must be approved by the Supervisor, Department Head and Vice President for the area involved. All requests will be resolved within two work weeks of the receipt of such request. Professional development funds are issued on a reimbursement basis based on receipts from approved requests. Direct payment by the institution, when appropriate, can also be arranged when making the request.

Applicable to full time and part time employees scheduled to work at least 20 hours per week per year on a continuing basis are covered. The benefit provides reimbursement of professional development expenses up to $650 per fiscal year or as contracted per collective bargaining units.  The benefits are prorated by hours per week for employees working at least 20 hours.