LEARNING REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM

The Learning Reimbursement newly increased from $1000 to $2000 per fiscal year!

The Learning Reimbursement program provides financial assistance for eligible members of IBEW Local 37 to support training and development activities to a maximum of $2,000.00 per person, per fiscal year. This can be a total of more than one training and development activity.  Activities may include, but are not limited to, courses offered by universities and other learning institutions, workshops and conferences, e-learning, and self-study.  

Support is provided “first-come, first-served” based on the individual merit of each application and funds available.  Financial assistance for wages, including replacement wages, is not provided. The application for assistance must be requested prior to the event/activity. Assistance is only provided for activities that are not funded, or are only partially funded, by NB Power. Please outline any funding provided by the employer in section #6 of the application. 

Following is the process for application.

1. Prior to participating in the individual training and development activity, the member must complete and submit the Application for Financial Support, Part A. If Part A is not submitted and approved prior to undergoing a learning activity, the application may not be approved.

2. The application will be reviewed by the Program Coordinator of the TTF to determine whether or not the activity is within the mandate of the Training Trust Fund. The member will be informed of the decision by email.

The mandate of the Training Trust Fund is:
To support and encourage training and development activities that
contributes to success in the workplace and career development.
 
3. If the application is accepted, the member will submit the Request for Reimbursement, Part B along with all required receipts and documentation, upon completion of the training and development activity.

4. If the application is not accepted, the member can appeal the decision. It will then be reviewed at the next meeting of Training Trust.

Click the button below to fill out our online application.



Learning Reimbursement FAQ

The Training Trust Fund (TTF) Learning Reimbursement Program provides financial assistance for eligible members of IBEW Local 37 to support training and development activities to a maximum of $2,000.00 per person, per fiscal year.

Who is eligible for this program?

All members employed at NB Power are eligible for this program. Members must be either a “BA” or “A” members. If a members membership status is “FP” (Fee Payer) then they will be asked to sign a membership card, which automatically switches the type of membership from FP to either BA or A. To read more about membership types, click here and go to page 9.

Do I have to pay anything for this program?

No, there is no cost to members to use this program. Members already contribute ~.03 cents per hour worked to the fund (just under $65.00 per year for a normal 40-hour work week) and are eligible to apply to the program at any time. It is a reimbursement program, so members must pay for the learning activity in advance and will be reimbursed upon successful completion of the program, up to $2,000 per fiscal year.

What kind of learning activities are funded by the Learning Reimbursement Program?

Over the years, the TTF has seen many applications funded under this program. We have had members attend conferences (WiN, Safety, Human Rights & Labour Law, Arboriculture, HR, Accounting, etc.), post-secondary training (coursework in a degree or certificate program in Psychology, Engineering, Arts, Science, etc.), professional programs (expenses related to CPA, CRSP, CPHR programs), or even locally held workshops/seminars or conferences.

What is the maximum amount that I’m eligible for through this program?

The current maximum amount that members are eligible to apply for is $2,000 per fiscal year. Our fiscal year begins April 1 and ends March 31. Applications for funding can be submitted at any time in either fiscal year, however, reimbursement would come out of the funding of the fiscal year that the learning activity was completed in. For example, if you submit Part A in February 2021, but the learning activity is not completed until September 2021, the reimbursement will come out of the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2021. If you submitted Part A in December 2020, but the learning activity is not completed until March 2021, then it will come out of that fiscal year’s funding ending March 31, 2021. If you submitted an application 2, 3, 4+ years ago, the funding would come out of the current fiscal year.

How many times can I access this program?

There is no limit to access this program. There is only a limit on the amount per fiscal year.

How long does it take to get reimbursed from this program?

As soon as Part B of your application is received, it will be processed within one week and passed on for a cheque to be processed. It could take 2-5 weeks for reimbursement to be received as cheques are only processed once or twice per month.

What happens if I apply to the program, but I don’t successfully complete the program?

If you do not successfully complete the program, then you will not be reimbursed for the cost of the program. Reimbursement only occurs when a learning activity is successfully completed.

How will I be notified if my application is approved?

You will be notified via email within one week of submitting your application. If you have not heard back about the status of your application, please contact the IBEW 37 office at 455-0037 or email ttf@ibew37.com.

If I do not use all of my eligible financial assistance in a fiscal year, does the unused portion roll over into the next fiscal year?

No, if a member does not use all of their financial assistance within a fiscal year, the unused funds are not rolled over to the next year.

My employer has agreed to fund a learning and development program, but not travel expenses related to that program (travel to and from exam locations, hotels, etc.). Is this type of expense covered under the program?

Yes! All you need to do is provide a breakdown of what the employer is covering and what the employer is not covering in your application.

There is a large group of members at my work location that would like to undergo training. Is this something that’s possible through this program?

The answer for this question is yes – it is possible. It would depend on what the learning activity is, how it meets the TTF mandate, and what the total ask from the TTF is.

Will the Learning Reimbursement Program pay for membership fees to maintain a qualification or certification?

No, the learning reimbursement program does not reimburse for maintaining a qualification or certification.

I’m out on leave, am I eligible to submit an application for Learning Reimbursement?

Yes, members out on leave are eligible to submit an application for Learning Reimbursement only if they are maintaining their non-working dues and Training Trust Fund contributions while on leave. Please contact the office to discuss this option 506-455-0037.

On the application it asks for estimated costs associated to my course. What do I do if the estimated costs are significantly different from my actual costs?

The costs entered for application fees, tuition, books, etc. are understood to be estimates only. There’s no issue if the amount is higher than originally indicated on the application, but the maximum reimbursement amount is $2,000 per fiscal year regardless of the amount a member pays for the learning activity.