Professional Development Opportunities and Funding: Key Points and Clarification

Hello Faculty,

This message is meant to provide a clear, quick overview of the Professional Development (PD) funding available under the Collective Agreement, along with an important clarification about Sessional and Term Certain PD funds.

There is significant funding available for faculty to use, and we strongly encourage everyone to take advantage of their PD funds. We look forward to seeing how faculty can continue to grow and develop by making use of these opportunities.

Continuing and Probationary Faculty – Individual PD Funds (Article 17.7)

• Eligible faculty receive annual Individual PD funds to support professional growth.

• Funds can be used for conferences, courses, workshops, professional reading, memberships, and limited hardware or software tied to your PD Plan.

• Individual PD funds:

  • are not salary and cannot be cashed out

  • can carry forward year to year up to a $5,000 maximum balance

  • have no return-of-service requirement 

• Off-campus activities require approval in advance; many purchases only require an expense claim.

Continuing Faculty – Leaves and Major Projects (Articles 17.3–17.6)

These are competitive and reviewed by the Faculty Professional Development Committee (FPDC):

• Sabbatical Leave (17.3): up to 80% salary plus 80% tuition/books/fees, with a       return-of-service requirement.

• Professional Experience Leave (17.4): salary support depends on external income; return-of-service applies.

• Special Projects (17.5 and 17.6): funding varies; return-of-service applies.

Sessional and Term Certain Faculty – PD Funds (Article 17.8)

• Sessional and Term Certain faculty may apply for limited PD funding from reallocated funds.

• Limits:

  • up to $800 per year

  • up to $2,400 over a three-year period 

• Eligible expenses are similar to Individual PD and are subject to approval and CRA rules.

Important clarification: The $2,400 is a maximum access limit, not a banked balance that carries indefinitely. Access depends on ongoing employment, eligibility, and annual availability of reallocated funds, and confirmation of reappointment if requesting funds beyond the current academic year.

Reminders

• PD requests must align with your Professional Development Plan.

• Some items may be a taxable benefit.

• FPDC is the final authority on PD decisions.

• Full details and forms are in the Faculty Professional Development Handbook.

If you have any questions, please contact Kim Huisman at kim.huisman@lethpolytech.ca for details about your PD availability.

Cheers,
Mike Mayo
Faculty Relations Officer