7160-26 Professional Development - Support Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of the Vanier College Support Staff Professional Development Policy is to convey the commitment of the College and the Vanier College Support Personnel Association to providing training and development opportunities for support staff, to study their professional development needs, and to initiate steps that encourage accessibility to professional development.

2. Scope of application

This Policy applies to all regular Support Personnel, as well as substitute and occasional employees who are eligible for benefits under Article 2-3.04 of the Collective Agreement and who qualify for professional development.

3. Definitions

3.01 Employee: An individual who works for the College part-time or full-time under a contract of employment as a Support personnel.

3.02 Credit courses: Courses which carry credit towards a program of study directly related to job function and/or to one’s career path at the College, including pertinent materials.

3.03 Non‐Credit courses: Courses that do not lead toward the completion of a program of study, such as workshops, conferences and seminars that are likely to increase the employee’s effectiveness on the job, including pertinent materials.

3.04 Professional or Trade Membership: Fees required to be a member of a professional order or other job related membership fees.

3.06 Professional Development Materials: Books, electronic books and software purchased by employees to improve their skills and knowledge.

3.07 College Professional Development: College Professional Development (P.D.) activities are defined by the College as activities necessary for the improvement of personnel and are directly related to their work. It also refers to software training or courses, college-wide workshops or conferences, or any other activity deemed relevant by a manager.

3.08 Individual Professional Development: Training and development opportunities designed to improve the skill set and/or knowledge base of an individual employee.

3.09 Group Professional Development: Training and development opportunities designed to improve the skill set and/or knowledge base of a designated group of employees.

4. Policy statements

4.01 The main objective of the Professional Development Policy is to provide resources to employees seeking to improve their knowledge and skills as they relate to the performance of their functions.

In order to meet organizational needs and to develop the particular abilities of employees, the College should provide all employees with tangible opportunities for professional development through activities, studies, training periods, or work that may be useful in the performance of their duties or in their career path at the College (Clause 8-1.01).

5. Professional development committee

5.01 The Professional Development Committee exists by virtue of Chapter 8 of the Collective Agreement for Support Personnel and endorses the establishment of an autonomous committee to oversee professional development activities, funding, and allocation.

5.02 The Professional Development Committee is a parity committee composed of two members elected by the Vanier College Support Personnel Association and two members appointed by the College Administration.

5.03 To ensure the professional development of employees, the Professional Development Committee is responsible for the following:

1. forwarding to College employees all information concerning the Professional Development Policy;
2. receiving applications from employees for training and professional development, analyzing and discussing them, and making decisions in accordance with the Professional Development Policy;
3. reviewing employees’ training and professional development needs;
4. ensuring that employees benefit from all available training and professional development opportunities;
5. recommending to the College the establishment of collective professional development activities for a group of employees or for all Support Personnel;
6. recommending the distribution of the amounts provided for in Article 8-3.00;
7. preparing an annual report on activities and expenditures.

6. Funding

6.01 Funding for professional development shall be provided as indicated in the Collective Agreement.

7. Procedures

7.01 Additional information regarding funding, application processes, timelines, and reimbursement procedures shall be outlined in the Support Staff Professional Development Procedures.

8. Authority

8.01 This Policy is under the authority of the Director of Human Resource Services.

9. Effective Date

9.01 This Policy shall come into effect upon acceptance by the Board of Directors and shall be reviewed every three (3) years.