BCGEU Professional Development Funds

The General Staff Development Fund supports a variety of learning and professional development opportunities that enhance current job performance and support career development.

Eligible expenses may include fees related to a variety of learning opportunities such as:

• Courses that are part of a diploma, certificate or degree program
• Individual course, seminars, workshops, conferences, including web-based learning
• Registration and membership fees
• Materials, supplies and books
• Reasonable travel and associated expenses, including accommodation, for out-of-town conferences, workshops and seminars are also eligible in accordance with UBC Business Expense Policy FM8

The Enhanced Education Fund provides an additional source of funding for academic and professional educational pursuits.

Eligible programs may include:

• Degree, Diploma, Certificate programs provided by recognized post-secondary institutions in Canada
• Trades and Apprenticeship programs, or Professional Associations (with national, international, or provincial affiliation) that grant recognized professional designations

This fund is intended to support longer-term educational pursuits that contribute to professional growth and career development.

Typical ineligible expenses include (but are not limited to):

• Courses or programs attended solely at the request of a supervisor
• Required training needed to meet the minimum requirements of an employee’s current position
• Professional membership fees required for an employee’s current position
• Activities related to health and wellness, including nutrition, ergonomics, EFAP, mental health support, mindfulness and meditation, domestic violence support, and healthy workplace initiatives
• Activities taken for general interest or recreational purposes
• Ancillary student fees associated with credit courses or programs
• Local travel expenses, including meals, transportation, and parking within Kelowna and the surrounding area
• Courier or mail services
• Software applications (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office)
• Electronic devices and associated data plans, including laptops, e-readers, tablets, and cell phones
• Work equipment and supplies

Applications for BCGEU Okanagan Professional Development Funds are submitted and processed through Workday.

Approval Process

Upon submitting your claim in Workday, it will first be reviewed by a Professional Development Fund Expense Partner within five business days. The Expense Partner will verify that the claim is complete and that it meets the eligibility requirements outlined in the Terms of Reference.

Once approved by the Expense Partner, the claim will be routed to the employee’s manager or supervisor for review.

The manager or supervisor will determine whether the professional development activity assists the employee in:

• Maintaining and improving knowledge and skills related to their current responsibilities; and/or
• Supporting their career development at the University.

If one or both of these criteria are met, the claim may be approved in Workday.

The final step is approval by the Professional Development Funds Manager, who authorizes the release of funds for reimbursement.

For step-by-step instructions, as well as general resources and support, visit the Integrated Service Centre.

After logging in with your CWL, search the Workday Knowledge Base for instructions on submitting a Professional Development Funds claim.

The following Knowledge Base articles provide detailed guidance:

1. View My Professional Development Funds 
2. Claim expenses against my PD Funds  
3. Transfer PD Funds reimbursement to my department

Please refer to the Terms of Reference for eligibility requirements, funding parameters, and additional program details.

The 2026-2027 funding year runs from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027. As of the February 28, 2027 deadline, the funding year is closed to new claim submissions.

Claims for this funding year can be filed in Workday starting on April 1, 2026 

You can submit claims for eligible expenses purchased within the past 90 days. For example, if you paid for a workshop on January 6, 2026, you may submit a claim starting April 1 but no later than April 6, 2026. The PD event itself may occur before or after April 1, 2026.

Note: You cannot split a single expense purchase across two funding years. For instance, a $500 conference fee payment cannot be claimed as $250 last funding year and $250 in this current funding year. However, separate expenses (e.g., conference registration in past funding year, associated flight in the current funding year) can be claimed if they meet all other eligibility criteria.

Both the General and the Enhanced fund are administered through one Terms of Reference.

These terms outline the difference between the two funds, identify the criteria for eligibility, confirm eligible and ineligible expenses, and provide reimbursement instructions and other important information.

Please review the Terms of Reference in full to understand the criteria and requirements involved.

BCGEU Professional Development Funds